Miami Heat guard Max Strus, left, guard Victor Oladipo, center, and forward Duncan Robinsonm, right, watch during the closest seconds of an NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs, Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022, in Miami. The Spurs won 115-111. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) – Media by Associated Press
The NBA schedule Wednesday night will feature some teams playing on short rest. When games are set up like this, it forces teams to consider what type of strategy to take. Teams on long road trips may use the opportunities to give players a rest and help avoid burnout.
With that in mind, here’s a quick look at some games on Wednesday’s schedule.
Miami Heat at Oklahoma City Thunder (+138)
The Thunder aren’t going to be a team that will likely pop up during the NBA postseason. However, Oklahoma City isn’t a team people want to take lightly, especially at its home venue. The Thunder are 6-5 at home straight up and are 16-11 against the spread.
Oklahoma City’s major defect, playing defense, may not be tested too thoroughly by the Heat, who have struggled to shoot themselves. Miami, which is a 3.5-point favorite on the road, ranks 30th in the league in points per game.
The Heat haven’t been shooting well from the 3-point line either, only making 35.7 percent of its attempts. Miami is 1-4 against the spread in its past five games. This is a spot worth taking a flyer on the Thunder at home. If you are leery about picking them to win, there is always the option to take the 3.5 points.
Cleveland Cavaliers at Dallas Mavericks (-2.5)
Luka Doncic and company have been a bit uneven to start the year. Should Dallas start stringing together wins, that may help the Mavericks gain some much-needed confidence. The Mavericks, who are eighth in the Western Conference with a 14-13 record, are 8-17-2 against the spread.
Cleveland, which is playing the second of a pair of road games, will soon head back home for a six-game homestand. Cavaliers guard Darius Garland injured his hand and was seen icing it during Cleveland’s win over San Antonio last weekend. The Cavaliers may be focused on the return trip home and allow Dallas to grab a win.
New York Knicks (+4) at Chicago Bulls
The Knicks have found their groove. New York has won four straight games to pull itself back above .500. Now, the Knicks, who are 13-12-2 against the spread, will be looking to take down the Bulls, who have struggled this season. Chicago is 11-15 overall this season and is 7-5 at home.
The Knicks may be able to lean on their defense to stifle Chicago. New York allows opponents to shoot 44.7 percent from the field and 33.8 percent from the 3-point line, which ranks second and third in the NBA, respectively.
The Bulls, meanwhile, haven’t played well on defense. Chicago allows opponents to shoot 47.6 percent from the field and 36.5 percent from the 3-point line. Chicago’s offense has been in the middle of the pack this season. The Knicks will keep this one close and may extend their winning streak.
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