I hope you were following our NBA picks Tuesday, when we went 3-0 against the spread behind strong showings from the Pistons, Warriors, and Jazz. Can we keep our perfect streak alive with Wednesday's slate?
Hawks @ Mavericks (-4, 232.5)
What have we seen so far that justifies this line? The Hawks rank higher than the Mavericks in offensive and defensive ratings, have performed better against the spread, and own a better overall record.
The only clear advantage for Dallas is health. Atlanta is still without De'Andre Hunter and Bogdan Bogdanovic, who have each missed at least the last four games amid the Hawks' 1-3 ATS stretch. One of those losses came to the Mavericks, who are 4-13-1 ATS in their last 18 tries against teams they've beaten in their previous meeting.
The key to this matchup is defense. Atlanta has posted above-average defensive numbers with Clint Capela patrolling the paint, while Dallas features a bottom-five unit defensively. That won't cut it against Trae Young and co.
Pick: Hawks +4
Pacers @ Nets (-2, 234)
The disappointment continues for the Nets, who are 4-8 ATS since the James Harden trade and have now lost back-to-back games outright after Tuesday's road defeat to the Pistons (+6).
It also marked Brooklyn's fourth loss in its last five games without Kevin Durant, who is out until at least Friday due to COVID-19 protocol. The Nets have a minus-1.3 net rating when Harden and Kyrie Irving share the court without Durant - both had a plus-minus of minus-11 or worse in Tuesday's loss.
The Pacers have dropped three straight but are due for a bounce-back effort in their first meeting this year against the Nets, whom they've beaten in 11 of their previous 13 tries. Expect Indiana to lean heavily on star big man Domantas Sabonis, who's attempted at least 15 shots in five of his last six games and faces a plus-matchup against a depleted Brooklyn frontcourt.
Pick: Pacers +2
Hornets @ Grizzlies (-4, 225)
I've been riding the Hornets for a couple of weeks now amid a 6-1 ATS run, and there's no reason to stop in a clear value spot as underdogs.
Charlotte has finally found its identity with LaMelo Ball in the starting lineup - he's averaging 22.6 points, 6.6 assists, and 6.0 rebounds with 51.4% shooting from deep in five starts. Including those five games, the Hornets are 13-7 ATS this year as an underdog or pick 'em, winning 10 outright and narrowly outscoring their opponents in those 20 games.
The Grizzlies are fun as a plucky underdog, but they have a negative point differential as favorites this year. They're also still without Brandon Clarke and De'Anthony Melton, who both missed Memphis' 15-point loss to the Raptors on Monday. What's the reason to lay the points Wednesday?
Pick: Hornets +4
(Odds source: theScore Bet)
C Jackson Cowart is a betting writer for theScore. He's an award-winning journalist with stops at The Charlotte Observer, The San Diego Union-Tribune, The Times Herald-Record, and BetChicago. He's also a proud graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, and his love of sweet tea is rivaled only by that of a juicy prop bet. Find him on Twitter @CJacksonCowart.
