NBA Wednesday betting preview: Fade slumping Lakers without AD
We hit on both of our total plays on Tuesday, and we're feeling good after two straight 2-1 days against the spread. Here are a few of our favorite plays from Wednesday's schedule.
Pistons @ Pelicans (-9.5, 222.5)
Few trends this season are more impressive than the Pelicans' 17-1-1 run to the over dating back to Jan. 17. New Orleans has averaged 119.5 points since then behind the NBA's third-most efficient offense - yet, predictably, the team's defense has ranked second-worst over that stretch.
Perhaps that'll jump-start the Pistons' offense, which has been mostly responsible for a 6-1 run to the under in the team's last seven games. More importantly, though, Detroit's defense is ill-equipped to handle Zion Williamson and the relentless offensive rebounding from the Pelicans' frontcourt, which shouldn't need much help carrying this game over.
Pick: Over 222.5
Hornets @ Suns (-9.5, N/A)
The Suns are the sleeping giant of the league right now, and it's not too late to take advantage. In their last 10 games, they've gone 8-2 ATS with the NBA's best net rating (+14.7) and top offensive rating (124.7) while climbing to No. 4 in the Western Conference.
Much of that is thanks to improved play from Devin Booker, who is averaging 27.2 points on 54.6% shooting over those 10 games. He should pose an issue for the Hornets, who have been below average defensively and whose small guards present matchup problems for Charlotte in spots like this one.
Pick: Suns -9.5
Lakers @ Jazz (-8, 221.5)
Laying this many points against the defending champions may seem like a fool's errand, but it speaks to how poorly the Lakers have played without Anthony Davis in the lineup.
Los Angeles has lost three consecutive games outright without its All-NBA center and is 0-7-1 ATS in its last eight games without him, losing twice by double digits and winning only half of those games outright despite being favored in all of them. The Jazz won by double digits 19 times during their 20-2-1 ATS run and should have little issue extending that Wednesday.
Pick: Jazz -8
(Odds source: theScore Bet)
C Jackson Cowart is a betting writer for theScore. He's an award-winning journalist with stops at The Charlotte Observer, The San Diego Union-Tribune, The Times Herald-Record, and BetChicago. He's also a proud graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, and his love of sweet tea is rivaled only by that of a juicy prop bet. Find him on Twitter @CJacksonCowart.