Knowing the entire sports world will be focused on the start of March Madness, the NBA wisely only scheduled one game for Thursday — and a bad one at that (Pistons at Magic). The ripple effect of that decision? A dozen games populate the Wednesday NBA odds board, including a slew of outstanding matchups pitting some of the league’s best teams against one another.
Can we interest you in Celtics-Warriors? How about 76ers-Cavaliers? Perhaps Mavericks-Nets, Bulls-Jazz, Raptors-Clippers, or Trail Blazers-Knicks?
OK, so not every matchup on the Wednesday NBA odds board is must-see-TV. But a bunch are, and Props.com breaks down a trio of them, starting with a potential NBA Finals preview.
Odds via DraftKings and updated as of 6:20 p.m. ET on March 15.
- Huge Selection of Sports
- 20+ States
- Top-Rated App
Boston Celtics Vs Golden State Warriors
Tipoff/TV: 10 p.m. ET/ESPN
Celtics: 41-28 SU/35-33-1 ATS
Warriors: 47-22/35-30-4 ATS
Spread/Total: Golden State -2./219.5 (Over -115)
Last meeting: Golden State nearly blew a 68-54 halftime lead on Dec. 17 in Boston, but held on for a 111-107 victory, pushing as a four-point road favorite
Did you know: Prior to December, the Celtics had won five straight games against the Warriors (4-1 ATS). Boston is unbeaten in its last three visits to Golden State and has cashed in seven of its last eight trips to the Bay Area
About Boston: The Celtics launch a four-game Western Conference road trip Thursday, and they do so off a rare loss. On Saturday, Boston fell 95-92 to Dallas a 6.5-point home favorite, snapping a five-game winning streak (4-1 ATS). It was just the Celtics’ second defeat in their last 11 home games (the other one, shockingly, coming against the Pistons). Despite the setback against the Mavericks, Boston is still 18-4 SU/13-9 ATS since Jan. 23, going 9-2 SU/7-4 ATS on the road. The lengthy hot streak has pushed the Celtics up to fifth place in the Eastern Conference standings, just one game out of third place and two games from the No. 2 slot.
About Golden State: The Warriors welcomed Draymond Green back to the lineup Monday for the first time since Jan. 21. The veteran power forward, who missed 32 games with a back injury, had six points, six assists, and seven rebounds in 20 minutes to help Golden State to a 126-112 rout of Washington as an 11-point home favorite. The Warriors have rebounded from a five-game losing skid — which was part of a 2-9 SU funk — to win four straight games, all by double digits. Additionally, after a horrendous 1-10-1 ATS nosedive, Golden State has cashed in five consecutive games. After a four-game stretch in which they allowed 129, 122, 124, and 133 points, the Warriors have yielded just 105 ppg during their winning streak. Despite the recent uptick, Golden State remains third in the West, a half-game behind Memphis and eight games behind first-place Phoenix.
Injuries: Golden State shooting guard Andrew Wiggins (17.3 ppg) missed Monday’s game against Washington with an illness, didn’t practice Tuesday, and is questionable Thursday.
Editor’s Note: Looking to become a sharper NBA bettor? Check out our NBA betting guide for a few wagering tips.
Notable Trends
- Boston is 5-2 ATS in its last seven on the road
- Golden State is 3-8-1 ATS in its last 12 as a favorite
- Golden State is 2-6 ATS in its last eight as a home chalk
- Over is 7-3-1 in Boston’s last 11 overall (4-1-1 in its last six road games)
- Over is 9-4-1 in Golden State’s last 14 overall
- Under is 10-2 in the last 12 Celtics-Warriors clashes
- Under is 6-0 in the last six series meetings at Golden State
Boston Celtics vs Golden State Warriors Odds and Action
UPDATE: 6:30P.M. ET: The Warriors hit DraftKings’ Wednesday NBA odds board as a 3.5-point overnight favorite, but it’s been a steady drop from there. Golden State took a sharp plunge to -2, crept up to -2.5 briefly around midday, and are now back to -2. Contrary to the line move, most of the action is on the home team, at 72% tickets/74% money.
The total also has been on the decline, going from an opener of 221.5 to 220 to 219, then up to 219.5. However, it’s now returned to 219. Oddly enough, almost all the tickets (94%) at DraftKings are on the Over, and 68% of the bets are also on the Over.
Philadelphia 76ers vs Cleveland Cavaliers
Tipoff/TV: 7 p.m. ET/NBA League Pass
76ers: 41-26 SU/32-34-1 ATS
Cavaliers: 39-29/38-28-2 ATS
Spread/Total: 76ers -3/219.5
Last meeting: Philadelphia knocked off the Cavaliers 125-119 two days ago, but Cleveland got the cover as a 7.5-point road favorite
Did you know: Thursday represents the 14th consecutive meeting in which the 76ers have been favored over the Cavaliers. Philadelphia is 10-3 SU during this stretch, but Cleveland is 8-5 ATS
About Philadelphia: The 76ers have followed a five-game SU winning streak by alternating wins and losses in their last five. On Monday, Philly blew a 19-point second-quarter lead at home against Denver and lost 114-110 as a 3.5-point favorite. The Sixers are 1-5 ATS in their last five games, including 1-4 ATS as a favorite and 0-2 ATS on the road. The latter follows a two-month stretch in which Philadelphia had cashed in nine of 11 road games (Dec. 30-Feb. 27). The 76ers are holding on to the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference, but they’re as close to the No. 1 seed (3.5 games back) as they are the No. 7 seed/play-in game (3.5 games ahead).
About Cleveland: The Cavaliers needed overtime to put away the Clippers 120-111 on Monday, and they even pulled away late to cover as a 7-point home favorite. Cleveland has rebounded from a season-worst 0-6 ATS slump to cash in four of its last six games. However, on the court, the Cavs have just four wins in their last 12 contests. During this stretch, they’re 3-2 SU/2-3 ATS at home. While Cleveland remains one of the biggest surprises of the NBA season, it is barely clinging to sixth place in the East, one game ahead of Toronto. The top six teams in each conference avoid the NBA’s play-in scenario.
Injuries: The 76ers may be without center and MVP candidate Joel Embiid, who is questionable with a back issue. With this being Philly’s third game in four nights, it’s likely Embiid (29.9 points, 11.3 rebounds per game) will rest regardless. … Cavs center Jarrett Allen (16.1 points, 10.8 rebounds per game) remains sidelined indefinitely with a broken left middle finger. Also, point guard Rajon Rondo (4.9 points, 4.2 assists per game) will miss his second straight game with an ankle injury.
Notable Trends
- Philadelphia is 12-5 ATS in its last 17 following a non-cover
- Cleveland is 4-0 ATS in its last four when playing on one day of rest
- Cleveland is 1-5 ATS in its last six as an underdog
- Under is 4-1 in Philadelphia’s last five overall
- Over is 5-1 in Philadelphia’s last six road games
- Under is 23-8 in Cleveland’s last 31 at home
- Under is 19-7 in the last 26 Sixers-Cavs battles in Cleveland
Philadelphia 76ers vs Cleveland Cavaliers Odds and Action
UPDATE: 6:30P.M. ET: DraftKings installed Philadelphia as a 4-point road favorite Tuesday night. The 76ers then spent most of the day bouncing between -3.5 and -4.5, but are now down to -3 on the Wednesday NBA odds board, as center Joel Embiid remains questionable (see above). Yet again, the betting splits don’t reflect the line adjustment, as it’s all Philly in this one at 80% bets/89% of cash.
The total jumped from 217 to as high as 220 but has since settled at 219.5. It’s lopsided action here as well, with 90% of wagers and 86% of dollars on the Over.
Chicago Bulls vs Utah Jazz
Tipoff/TV: 9 p.m. ET/NBA League Pass
Bulls: 41-27 SU/37-30-1 ATS
Jazz: 42-26 SU/28-37-3 ATS
Spread/Total: Jazz -7/223.5
Last meeting: Chicago went to Salt Lake City on Oct. 30 and upset the Jazz 107-99 as a 3.5-point road underdog, snapping a five-game series losing streak
Did you know: The Under is 21-7-1 in the last 29 head-to-head meetings, with the last five in a row staying low. During this stretch, the Under is 10-2-1 in games played in Utah (4-0 last four)
About Chicago: The Bulls’ mini two-game winning streak ended with Monday’s 112-103 upset loss at Sacramento as a 4.5-point road chalk. Chicago is mired in a 2-6 SU slump and has cashed just once in those eight contests, going 0-5 ATS (1-4 SU) on the road. All six of the Bulls’ recent losses have been by at least six points. Despite the downturn, Chicago remains in fourth place in the jumbled Eastern Conference standings, four games behind first-place Miami, 1.5 games behind second-place Milwaukee, a half-game back of third-place Philadelphia, and a half-game ahead of sixth-place Boston.
About Utah: The Jazz are coming off Monday’s 117-111 loss to the Bucks as a two-point home chalk, the first time Milwaukee won a game in Salt Lake City in 21 years. Utah has now alternated SU wins and losses in its last eight games. Even worse, the Jazz continue to be a money pit for bettors, going 2-8-1 ATS in their last 11 games. Monday’s loss also halted a nine-game home winning streak, during which Utah went 6-2-1 ATS. The Jazz are in a flat-footed tie with Dallas for fourth place in the Western Conference, 3.5 games behind the third-place Warriors and 1.5 games ahead of sixth-place Denver.
Injuries: Utah shooting guard Bojan Bogdanovic (18.1 ppg) will miss his second straight game with a calf injury … While Bulls guard Alex Caruso (broken wrist) returned to the lineup Saturday at Cleveland and played 29 minutes, fellow backcourt mate Lonzo Ball (knee) remains sidelined with no timetable for his return.
Notable Trends
- Chicago is 0-5 ATS in its last five as an underdog
- Chicago is 8-16 ATS as a single-digit ’dog this season
- Utah is 1-6-1 ATS in its last eight as a favorite
- Under is 5-0 in Chicago’s last five overall and 6-1 in its last seven road games
- Under is 6-1 in Utah’s last seven overall and 11-3 in its last 14 at home
Chicago Bulls vs Utah Jazz Odds and Action
UPDATE: 6:30P.M. ET: The Jazz opened as a 6-point favorite on the Wednesday NBA odds menu at DraftKings, and it’s been a wild ride since. Utah dipped as low as -5 early Wednesday, but it’s been a steady climb since, with the Jazz now sitting at -7. Keeping with the theme of the day, the betting action belies the line move, as ticket count is split 50-50, and just 62% of dollars are on the home favorite.
The total has been steadily falling from an opener of 225.5 to the current number of 223.5. That said, 94% of the bets and 65% of the dough is on the Over.
