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Wednesday’s Tip Sheet

VegasInsider Staff
VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert
5 minute read
ATS Rankings | Totals Report | Injuries

Game of the Night: Cavaliers at Nuggets (-2 ½, 230 ½) – 10:35 PM EST

The biggest soap opera in the NBA this season has taken place in Cleveland as the Cavaliers (37-26 SU, 20-42-1 ATS) have gone through a roller-coaster season that includes a major roster overhaul prior to the All-Star break. Cleveland still sits atop the Central division in spite of a 3-4 record since the break, which includes home losses to San Antonio, Philadelphia, and Denver. The Cavaliers rebounded on Monday by blowing out the Pistons, 112-90 as six-point favorites to snap an 0-4 ATS run.

The Nuggets (35-29 SU, 29-32-3 ATS) return home after getting tripped up by the Mavericks on Tuesday, 118-107 as 6 ½-point road favorites. Dallas outscored Denver, 38-23 in the third quarter to pull away as the Nuggets were limited to 41% shooting from the floor, including four points from center Nikola Jokic. Denver owns a 1-5 ATS record since the All-Star break, while eclipsing the OVER for the 10th time in the last 11 games.

Denver’s only cover in the last six games came in last Saturday’s 126-117 road triumph at Cleveland as 4 ½-point underdogs. Nuggets’ guard Gary Harris led the way with 32 points, while Will Barton put up 23 points off the bench for Denver, who knocked down 19 three-pointers as a team. LeBron James compiled another triple-double with 25 points, 10 rebounds, and 15 assists, as Cleveland tries to win at Denver for the fourth time in the last five seasons.

Perfect Ten?

The Pelicans (37-26 SU, 34-28-1 ATS) are heating up at the right time and aren’t slowing down any time soon. New Orleans picked up its ninth straight victory on Tuesday at Los Angeles in a 121-116 win over the Clippers as two-point underdogs. Anthony Davis continued his argument for league MVP as the Pelicans’ All-Star shredded the Clippers for 41 points and 13 rebounds, while guard Jrue Holiday scored 19 points to go along with 17 assists.

New Orleans registered its seventh consecutive OVER, while improving to 6-0 on the road during this hot streak. The Pelicans wrap up their away swing in Sacramento against a feisty Kings’ (20-44 SU, 29-32-3 ATS) squad that has defeated New Orleans twice this season. The Kings have won two of their last three games, including close victories over the Nets and Knicks. Sacramento owns a solid 7-3 ATS record the past 10 contests, while knocking off New Orleans as a 9 ½ and 9-point underdog on the road already.

Sweet Sixteen

The Rockets (50-13 SU, 33-29-1 ATS) and Warriors each reached the 50-win mark with victories on Tuesday. Houston overcame an early deficit to down Oklahoma City, 122-112 as 5 ½-point road favorites, as the dynamic duo of James Harden and Chris Paul combined to score 48 points, while the Rockets drilled 17 three-pointers. The Rockets not only won their 16th consecutive game, but also improved to an incredible 10-1 ATS in the last 11 opportunities as a single-digit favorite.

Houston is once again laying single-digits tonight at Milwaukee as the Rockets have compiled a 6-3 SU and 3-6 ATS record with no rest. The Bucks (34-30 SU, 26-33-5 ATS) have lost five of their last six games following Monday’s three-point setback at Indiana. The only victory in this stretch for Milwaukee came in Sunday’s remarkable rally against Philadelphia by erasing a 20-point deficit in a 118-110 win. The Bucks managed a cover as 10 ½-point road underdogs in a 115-111 loss at Houston in December, while beating the Rockets in the last two home matchups.



First to Four

Utah and Indiana hook up in an intriguing matchup at Bankers Life Fieldhouse as each of these up-and-coming teams are seeking four-game winning streaks. The Jazz (34-30 SU, 33-31 ATS) embark on a three-game road swing following a 94-80 victory as 9 ½-point home favorites over the Magic on Monday. Utah’s defense has stepped up recently by allowing 100 points or less in nine of the last 10 contests, while cashing the UNDER seven times in this stretch.

The Jazz look to avenge a 109-94 home setback to the Pacers in mid-January as Indiana (37-27 SU, 36-28 ATS) is coming off a pair of wins over Milwaukee and a solid road victory at Washington. Indiana’s defense has also tightened up of late by giving up 96 points or fewer during this three-game winning streak, while putting together a 9-1 record in its previous 10 home contests.

Opposite Directions

Since falling at Washington on February 1, the Raptors (46-17 SU, 36-27 ATS) have won 12 of their last 13 games to take over first place of the Atlantic division. Toronto has cashed 10 times during this stretch, including a perfect 4-0 SU/ATS record as a road favorite. The Raptors travel to Detroit looking to beat the Pistons for the third time this season, as Toronto grabbed a 123-94 rout in their last matchup on February 26.

The Pistons (29-35 SU, 27-35-2 ATS) have lost nine of their past 11 games since a five-game winning streak early February to fall 4 ½ games back of the Heat for the final Eastern Conference playoff spot. Detroit has covered only once in the previous 12 contests, including an 0-5 ATS mark as an underdog. The Pistons have had their struggles with the Raptors since the start of last season by compiling a 1-5 SU and 2-4 ATS record in the past six meetings, including a pair of home losses to Toronto.

You can reach Kevin Rogers via e-mail at rogers@vegasinsider.com

Kevin Rogers can be followed on Twitter at virogers.

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