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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: Pelicans at Warriors – 10:35 PM EST

Eight games into the season, Golden State (7-1 SU, 4-4 ATS) continues to look like the team that has won three of the past four NBA championships. During this current five-game winning streak, the Warriors have won four of those contest by 20 points or more, while dropping 149 points on the Bulls in Monday’s blowout at the United Center.

Klay Thompson broke the NBA record for most three-pointers made in a game with 14, while putting up 52 points in the win. Perhaps more impressive than Thompson’s shooting barrage was Golden State putting up 92 points in the first half, while picking up a cover as a double-digit favorite for the fourth straight time.

The Pelicans (4-2 SU, 4-2 ATS) jumped out to an impressive 4-0 start, but are coming off back-to-back losses to the Jazz and Nuggets. It’s no coincidence that those defeats were suffered with star Anthony Davis sidelined due to an elbow injury, as his status is in question for tonight’s contest at Oracle Arena. Davis is averaging 27.3 points per game and 13.3 rebounds per game, but replacing the former Kentucky standout is a difficult task. In Monday’s loss at Denver, the Pelicans managed a cover as 9 ½-point underdogs, while fellow UK Wildcat Julius Randle posted a team-high 24 points.

The Warriors knocked out the Pelicans in five games of the opening round of the playoffs last season, but New Orleans managed a pair of covers at Oracle Arena as double-digit underdogs. New Orleans won at Golden State in its final regular season matchup this past April, 126-120 as six-point ‘dogs, as Davis led the Pelicans with 34 points and 12 rebounds.

Same Record, Different Expectations

Both the Lakers and Mavericks own identical 2-5 records. If we turned the clock back one year ago, this wouldn’t be a surprise for these two Western Conference foes. However, Los Angeles has stumbled out of the gate in LeBron James’ first season in Purple and Gold, as the Lakers return home following consecutive road losses at San Antonio and Minnesota. In Monday’s defeat to the Wolves, James scored 29 points, but Minnesota knocked down 14 three-pointers.

The Mavericks are winless away from American Airlines Center this season at 0-4, but picked up a cover as seven-point ‘dogs in Monday’s overtime defeat at San Antonio. Dallas is riding a three-game OVER streak, but have lost four straight since picking up back-to-back home wins over Minnesota and Chicago. Rookie Luka Doncic has been impressive for Dallas through seven games by averaging 20.4 ppg, while scoring a season-high 31 points against the Spurs.

This will be by far the weakest opponent the Lakers have faced at Staples Center this season, as L.A. has already lost to Houston and San Antonio, while handing Denver its only loss. The Lakers captured three of four matchups from the Mavs last season, including a pair of wins at Staples by double-digits.

Bull Crap

That’s exactly what Chicago (2-5 SU, 3-4 ATS) looked like on Monday night in a 149-124 rout at the hands of Golden State. It would have been worse if the Warriors didn’t call off the dogs after scoring 125 points through three quarters, as Chicago suffered its first ATS loss at the United Center this season. The Bulls welcome in another tough Western opponent tonight as Denver makes its lone trip to the Windy City this season.

The Nuggets (5-1 SU, 4-2 ATS) have played a home-heavy schedule so far by posting a 4-0 mark at the Pepsi Center, but failed to cash as nine-point favorites in Monday’s 116-111 victory over the Pelicans. The backcourt duo of Gary Harris and Jamal Murray scored 23 points apiece, while the Nuggets moved to 3-1 to the UNDER at home this season. In fact, this is the first game played east of Denver this season for the Nuggets, whose first two road games were against the L.A. teams. The Nuggets have won five straight meetings with the Bulls, including two straight blowouts at the United Center.

Perfect Sound

The Jazz (4-2 SU, 4-2 ATS) have yet to win a game at home this season, but are riding a 4-0 record away from Salt Lake City. Utah tries to finish off its four-game road trip without a blemish as the Jazz face the Wolves at Target Center. The first three wins were impressive as Utah knocked off Houston, New Orleans, and Dallas, while shooting 52% from the floor in Sunday’s nine-point victory over the Mavericks.

Minnesota (3-4 SU, 3-4 ATS) has not won back-to-back games yet this season, coming off Monday’s 124-120 triumph over the Lakers as a short ‘dog. Jimmy Butler is still on the trade block for Minnesota, but the forward scored 32 points, while knocking down 6-of-7 three-point attempts. These two Northwest division foes split four meetings last season, as each team won one matchup at home and one on the road.

Slowing Down

The Pistons (4-2 SU, 2-4 ATS) rolled out to a fast 4-0 start with only one win against a quality team, edging the 76ers in overtime. Detroit fell back to Earth following back-to-back losses to Boston, but the Pistons hung around in Tuesday’s 108-105 setback at TD Garden as 8 ½-point underdogs. Blake Griffin rebounded from a seven-point performance last Saturday against the Celtics to score 24 points last night and pull down 15 boards.

Detroit heads to Brooklyn with no rest to square off with a Nets’ (2-5 SU, 4-3 ATS) squad that is riding a three-game skid since routing Cleveland last Wednesday. Brooklyn is sitting in the favorite role for the second time this season as the Nets look to avenge an opening night loss at Detroit, 103-100 as six-point underdogs. The Nets haven’t had much luck against the Pistons at home, dropping a pair of contests last season at Barclays Center by 34 and 12 points.

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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