Media by Associated Press – FILE – Miami Heat center Dewayne Dedmon (21) shoots in front of Indiana Pacers guard Buddy Hield (24) and forward Isaiah Jackson (22) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis on Nov. 4, 2022. The Philadelphia 76ers signed veteran center Dewayne Dedmon, the team announced Tuesday, Feb 14, 2023 (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)
There are several intriguing matchups on the NBA schedule Wednesday night. The Brooklyn Nets are trying to show they can keep winning despite trading all of their star power. The Philadelphia 76ers also are looking to pick up a big home win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Here’s a look at some NBA bets worth making for Wednesday.
Miami Heat (-1) at Brooklyn Nets
The Nets are starting to tumble after they traded away Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant last week. The Heat will be eager to help speed up the freefall when it heads to Brooklyn Wednesday night to kick off a four-game road trip. Miami has won three of its past four games and has raised its record to six games above .500.
The Heat are also 1.5 games behind Brooklyn for the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference. Miami is an excellent defensive team, ranking second in the league by only allowing their opponents to score 108.2 points per game. The Heat, who are 3-7 against the spread in their last ten games, haven’t been efficient on offense.
Miami only scores 108.4 points per game and shoots 45.2 percent from the field, both of which rank 30th in the league. The Heat have seen the total go under in six of the past ten games. Brooklyn has lost four of its past five games. The Nets are 6-4 against the spread over their past ten games.
The Nets have been underdogs in their last seven games. Brooklyn’s defense has struggled as of late, allowing 114 or more points in three of the past five games.
Cleveland Cavaliers at Philadelphia 76ers (-3)
The 76ers are starting to pick up steam. Philadelphia has won three straight games, but it hasn’t been against the best competition. What the 76ers would like to prove at home against Cleveland is that Philadelphia can play well against other Eastern Conference contenders.
The Cavaliers beat the 76ers by 28 points earlier in the season in Cleveland. However, Philadelphia played that game without James Harden. The 76ers are an efficient offensive team that is excellent from the outside. Philadelphia shooter 38.3 percent from the 3-point line, which ranks fourth in the league.
The 76ers have gone 6-4 against the spread over the past ten games. The Cavaliers have been playing strong basketball as of late, winning eight of their last ten games. Cleveland has been excellent against the spread as well, going 7-3. However, Philadelphia will grab a win and cover at home.
New Orleans Pelicans at Los Angeles Lakers (-3)
The Pelicans are a fun and exciting team when they have everyone available. As it stands now, New Orleans is missing a large part of its offense. Zion Williamson will still be out for several more weeks with a hamstring injury. Shooting guard C.J. McCollum is day-to-day with an ankle injury.
The Pelicans have started to show some life by winning four of its past five games, including a 131-126 win over the Lakers. Los Angeles needs a boost going into the All-Star break. The Lakers are 4-5 against the spread over their past ten games and are 4-6 straight up. Los Angeles will take advantage of New Orleans’ injuries and protect the home court.
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