Buckle up for 10 NBA games Wednesday night, including two nationally televised matchups. After a disappointing start to the week in this space, let's get back on track with five bets for Wednesday's slate.
Kings @ Heat (-1.5, O/U 231.5)
The Heat are in desperation mode. They've lost seven straight and have fallen to the seventh seed in the East. Terry Rozier is having a career year, so it was presumed his presence would bolster Miami. However, he's played in four of those seven losses.
A win won't come easy Wednesday night when Miami welcomes the Kings, who have won three straight. Jimmy Butler's been much more aggressive as a scorer and facilitator the last few games (more on that later), which fans are accustomed to seeing in the playoffs but not so much in the regular season.
The Heat need Butler to revert to postseason mode to end their seven-game skid. Expect a desperate and hungry Miami group to show up at home.
Pick: Heat -1.5
Jimmy Butler: Over 21.5 points
The rationale for picking the Heat is the same for backing Butler. For Miami to get back in the win column, its best player and leader needs to show up.
The Heat are at their best when Butler is aggressive, which he has been the last couple of games, scoring 26 and 28, respectively. He attempted more shots - especially threes - than usual over the past couple of games.
The last time the Heat won was on Jan. 15, when Butler exploded for 31 points. They need a similar performance from their star to earn a victory.
Odds: -115 (playable to -120)
Kevin Durant: Over 11.5 assists + rebounds
Kevin Durant's scoring has been down over the last week. He hasn't posted more than 20 points in four straight games, a rarity for one of the greatest scorers ever.
Part of that dip is because Devin Booker went on a tear and carried the Suns' offense. But Durant has put a greater emphasis on rebounding and playmaking in recent games. His assist prop is 4.5 on Wednesday, and he's gone over that in the last five contests.
However, Durant's combined assist and rebounds prop is at a better price. The 35-year-old has recorded at least 12 assists and rebounds in four of the last five games, and he's averaging a combined 12.1 assists and rebounds on the season.
Odds: -115 (playable to -125)
Donovan Mitchell: Over 33.5 points + assists
Donovan Mitchell's been the engine behind the Cavs' recent takeoff, winning 11 of their last 12 and catapulting into fourth place in the East. Cleveland has been on this hot streak without Darius Garland, who's expected to return Wednesday night.
I don't anticipate Garland's presence to impact Mitchell's output. He's produced at least 34 points and assists in six of the last eight games. The Cavs also have a favorable matchup against a horrid Pistons defense. Detroit allows the second-most points and third-most assists to point guards per game.
Odds: -120 (playable to -130)
Jalen Suggs: Over 9.5 points
Jalen Suggs has made a name for himself with his tenacious on-ball defense for the Magic, but his offense has steadily improved throughout his career and even during this season. Suggs is shooting 38% from deep in 2023-24, which is by far his career high. He's been even hotter in January, connecting on 43% of his 3-point attempts.
Suggs is averaging 12.1 points per game this month and has scored double figures in five of the last six contests. The Spurs have the NBA's fifth-worst scoring defense and allow opponents to make the fourth-most threes per game.
Suggs should continue his hot shooting streak and reach double digits again.
Odds: -120 (playable to -130)
Sam Oshtry is a sports betting writer at theScore. You can follow him on X @soshtry for more betting coverage.
