Back the Nuggets at home and can the Warriors stay hot?
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Twenty-six of the NBA's 30 teams take the court Wednesday night. That means there are 13 games to watch, bet on, and enjoy. After a Tuesday night sweep, let's keep the hot streak going with a four-play card.
Kings @ Nuggets (-5, O/U 229.5)
The Kings lost to the Suns Tuesday night in Phoenix and traveled to Denver following the game for a Wednesday showdown with the defending champion Nuggets.
Sacramento's 2-5 against the spread when getting no rest. And its opponent is a different team at home than on the road. The Nuggets are 21-4 in Denver and 15-14 away from Ball Arena.
They also have a plus-10 net rating at home, the NBA's fourth-best. That dips to minus-2.2 on the road, the league's 16th-best. The Nuggets are coming off a road loss to the Bucks. They should handle an inferior, tired Kings group in Denver.
Pick: Nuggets -5
Warriors team total: Over 117.5 points
The Warriors are one of the NBA's hottest teams, winning five straight and seven of their last eight. Wednesday is a key test for them as they face the Clippers, one of the favorites to come out of the West.
However, Los Angeles will be without Kawhi Leonard. He's been healthy for most of the season, but the Clippers identity changes when he's out.
L.A. has a plus-10.1 net rating when Leonard's on the court and a minus-3.5 when he's off. His absence impacts the Clippers' defense, which is typically slightly above league average. Their defensive rating increases by nine points when Leonard's off the floor (a lower defensive rating is better).
The Warriors have found their offensive groove and discovered which lineups and personnel pairings work. They've scored at least 118 points in nine of their last 11 games.
Odds: -125
Rockets @ Grizzlies (+2.5, O/U 219.5)
The Rockets are in a slump. They lost four straight before defeating a wounded Knicks team Monday on a controversial call that New York's disputing with the league office.
The Knicks - who are missing three-fifths of their starting lineup - are as healthy as a team on opening day compared to the Grizzlies. Memphis is dealing with major injuries to almost all of its key contributors. The team's nightly lineups are full of G League players. To their credit, they're playing hard and somewhat competing. But that's not exactly leading to wins.
Memphis has dropped nine straight games. Oddsmakers seem to think the Grizzlies have a decent chance at ending their losing streak at home against the Rockets.
While Houston's midseason struggles are predictable given the lineup's youth, it still has talent to lean on. The Rockets are three games out of the play-in tournament and are desperate for wins. They must defeat the league's worst if they want a chance at competing for the play-in.
Pick: Rockets -2.5
Trae Young: Over 34.5 points and assists
Although Trae Young's scoring has been down the last two games, the Hawks' offense is at its best when he's the primary ball-handler and attempting the most shots.
Despite two poor performances for Young's standards, he still recorded at least 35 combined points and assists in seven of the last 10 games. Young's averaging 37.6 combined points and assists in February, on par with his season averages.
The Hawks are playing a Hornets team that ranks dead last in defensive rating. The total - set at 238.5 - is also worth a look given Atlanta's defensive flaws. Young and the rest of the Hawks should get any offensive look they want. In a high-scoring affair, Young will score easily and find his open teammates often.
Odds: -130
Sam Oshtry is a sports betting writer at theScore. You can follow him on X @soshtry for more betting coverage.