MetroBet previews a pair of Wednesday night NBA games with the Spurs playing at the Sixers and the Nuggets playing at the Jazz.
San Antonio Spurs at Philadelphia 76ers (-4)
Moneyline: Spurs +155, 76ers -175
Betting Total: 226 points
Time (Eastern), TV: 8 p.m., ESPN
There are a multitude of reasons to back the Under in Wednesday night’s matchup at the Wells Fargo Arena between the San Antonio Spurs and the Philadelphia 76ers.
The total is listed at a very high 226 points despite the questionable status of Ben Simmons (illness) and Jimmy Butler (wrist). The Sixers have gone below the total in four of their last five contests, including Monday’s 121-93 win over the Rockets that Butler missed. San Antonio has gone Under in three of their last four tilts.
Per oddsshark.com, the total has gone Under in 11 of the last 14 meetings between these two clubs. If Philly is forced to funnel their offense through Joel Embiid down low, that will only help Under bettors. It’s worth noting that the Spurs are last in the NBA in three-point attempts per game (24.3), and that the Sixers are fifth when it comes to preventing the three-ball (34.4 percent conversion rate allowed).
Prediction: 76ers win, 113-106
The play: Spurs vs. 76ers Under 226 points
Denver Nuggets at Utah Jazz (-3.5)
Moneyline: Nuggets +140, Jazz -160
Betting Total: 216 points
Time (Eastern), TV: 10:30 p.m., ESPN
The Denver Nuggets, who padded their record against the Cavs and Bulls in recent days after being blown out by the Warriors last week, take their act on the road when they face the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena on Wednesday night.
Utah has won six of their last seven contests, with five of those wins coming at home. The team leader in points per game, Donovan Mitchell (22), has been even better than usual, playing to a 30 points per game average over his last five efforts.
Denver’s best have been in a groove of their own, as Nikola Jokic is fresh off another triple-double against Cleveland while Jamal Murray has exceeded 20 points in four straight. However, the Nuggets, despite their sparkling 31-14 record, have been tough to trust on the road. They’re just 11-10 away from the Pepsi Center this year (9-12 against the spread), playing to a minus-1.4 point differential. By contrast, the Jazz (26-22) own a plus-6 point differential as the home team this season.
Bettors should be willing to lay the points with the Jazz and strongly consider playing the Under (215 points) as well. Utah has gone below the total in 11 of their last 13 home games.
Prediction: Jazz win, 108-102
The play: Jazz -3.5 and Nuggets vs. Jazz Under 216 points Parlay (+264)
