MetroBet takes a look at the best bets in the NBA for Wednesday night’s slate of games.
Memphis Grizzlies at Milwaukee Bucks (-9.5)
Moneyline: Grizzlies +670, Bucks -855
Betting Total: 216.0 points
An unstoppable force meets an immovable object as the Milwaukee Bucks’ top-rated scoring offense (121.6 points per game) collides with the Memphis Grizzlies’ top-rated defense by points per game allowed (100.7) at Fiserv Forum in Wisconsin on Wednesday night.
The Bucks (10-3) have been giant-killers in the early part of 2018, taking down the Raptors, Nuggets, and even the Warriors in the last two weeks. The talent, for the most part, was there in Milwaukee in 2018, but they finished an uninspiring 44-38 before being knocked out in the quarterfinals. New head coach Mike Budenholzer, embracing the ever-increasing three-ball-centric nature of the NBA, has turned the Bucks into an offensive dynamo.
Milwaukee has yet to lose in their new arena (6-0) and are big favorites in this one, with good reason. The Bucks’ starters, led by MVP candidate Giannis Antetokounmpo, average a staggering 85.2 points per game compared to the Grizzlies’ 61.8. They also command Memphis (7-5) by a significant margin in total rebounds, 51.6 to 38.3.
Betting trends do not paint a pretty picture for the offensively-challenged Grizzlies (last in the league in points per game) on Wednesday night. The Bucks are 5-0-1 against the spread at home this year and have covered in seven of their last 10 games against Western Conference opponents. Don’t be scared off by the big number; Milwaukee should win this one going away.
The Over (216.0 points) also looks like a strong play based on recent trends. Ten of the Bucks’ first 13 games this season have exceeded the total, and the Over has cashed in 13 of the last 16 home games for Milwaukee dating back to last season. In their last 50 games, the Bucks are on an eye-catching 34-16 Over run.
The play: Bucks -9.5 and Grizzlies vs. Bucks Over 216.0 Parlay (+260)
New York Knicks at Oklahoma City Thunder (-9)
Moneyline: Knicks +340, Thunder -420
Betting Total: 214.5 points
The Thunder merit strong consideration even as Russell Westbrook sits for the fifth straight game with a left ankle sprain.
Oklahoma City is 3-1 in their last four games without Westbrook but have topped 100 points only once, and it was against the hapless Suns. However, the Knicks were just demolished at home by the Magic, dropping to 1-4 against the spread in their last five games. By contrast, the Thunder have covered in seven of their last eight games.
The difference in point differential based on venue between these two clubs is staggering; New York has a minus-6.9 point per game differential on the road compared to Oklahoma City’s plus-7.0 points per game differential at Chesapeake Energy Arena.
The play: Bucks -10, Grizzlies vs. Bucks Over 215, Thunder moneyline Parlay (+351)
