Media by Associated Press – Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) during an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 9, 2023, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
The NBA is starting to see teams settle into the playoff chase as the season nears its midway point. What teams that still have championship aspirations are hoping to do is avoid the play-in round and earn a spot directly in the first round. Here’s a look at some exciting matchups for Wednesday night.
Chicago Bulls (-1) at Washington Wizards
The Bulls have won six of their past ten games to position themselves in 10th place in the Eastern Conference. Chicago, which is 19-22 straight up this season, is four games out of six and a half-games back of the Atlanta Hawks. The Bulls need to worry about holding off teams like the Washington Wizards.
The Wizards have lost three straight but are 6-4 over their past ten games. Washington is 10-8 at home. The Wizards are seventh in the NBA in field goal percentage, knocking down 48.2 percent of their shots. However, Washington’s offense is still in the bottom third of the league in scoring.
Chicago, which is 21-18-3 against the spread, is 4-1 against the spread over their last five games. The Bulls are fifth in the league in field goal percentage and 3-point percent, shooting 48.9 percent and 37.6 percent, respectively, this season. Chicago has been playing well recently and will score a close win on the road.
Milwaukee Bucks (-2.5) at Atlanta Hawks
The Bucks have leaned on their defense to carry them all season. Milwaukee only allows opponents to score 111.1 points per game, which ranks eighth in the league. The Bucks are second in the league in field goal percentage, limiting opponents to 45.1 percent shooting from the field, which ranks second in the league. Milwaukee is 21-17-2 against the spread and is 4-6 against the spread.
Atlanta is 4-6 against the spread over its past ten games. The Hawks are 16-24 against the spread overall. Atlanta has been a disappointing team so far this season.
The Hawks only make 33.1 percent of their 3-point attempts, which ranks 27th. Despite the poor outside shooting, Atlanta scores 115.3 points per game, which is 11th in the league.
Indiana Pacers (+5) at New York Knicks
The Pacers have shown they are more than a game this season. Indiana has covered the spread in eight of its past ten games. The Pacers are 25-16 against the spread.
Indiana has been a good offensive team. The Pacers are the ninth-best 3-point shooting offense in the league, knocking down 37 percent of their treys, which ranks ninth in the league. Defensively, Indiana has been an adventure. The Pacers rank 20th in points allowed at 115.6 points per game.
The Knicks are 21-18-2 against the spread and are once again counting on defense to carry them. New York is in the top 10 in the league in points allowed per game, field goal percentage, and 3-point field goal percentage.
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