NBA Predictions, Picks, and Odds: 03/01/2024
Calendar icon Updated 03 Jan 09:28

NBA Predictions, Picks, and Odds: 03/01/2024

Kaleb Vanderhorst

Phoenix Suns vs. Los Angeles Clippers. Prediction, Odds

The Phoenix Suns host the Los Angeles Clippers at home on Wednesday, while both teams will be looking to extend their winning streaks. However, the Clippers have overall had a much better last 10 games than the Suns, winning eight of ten versus just five of ten.

Kevin Durant will likely also be out for this one, seriously hurting the Sun’s chances of victory. After some right hamstring soreness, the aging Durant doesn’t want to take any chances.

Sadly for Suns fans, without Kevin Durant’s scoring, they really don’t have a shot against the red-hot Clippers. The trio of Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, and James Harden should prove too much for only Devin Booker, even with Harden’s issues as of late.

Kawhi continues to play well night in and night out, shooting a respectable 52.2% from the field and 42.8% from the three-point line. He leads the roster in scoring and creates tons of space for both George and Harden to create their own offence.

George has taken full advantage of this, putting up 22.9 points per night on decent shooting efficiency. Harden, on the other hand, has really taken a step back, not chucking as many shots and instead averaging 8 assists a night.

If the Suns want to extend their winning streak to five, they better hope Devin Booker has a 60-point night or that KD comes back for Wednesday.

All in all, it’s going to be a hard night for the Phoenix Suns if Kevin Durant is out of the game. The Clippers should have absolutely no issues taking home a dub and covering the spread of 2.5 points with no problem.

Los Angeles Lakers vs Miami Heat. Prediction and Betting Tip

Bookmakers are really sleeping on the Miami Heat coming into their match against the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday. There is a good chance Jimmy Butler won’t be playing due to right foot irritation, but the Heat still have both Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo.

Luckily for the Heat, the Lakers aren’t entering this home game with much momentum either, coming fresh off back-to-back losses to the New Orleans Pelicans and Minnesota Timberwolves.

Neither squad seems to be in tip-top shape, which could cause this game to become quite a grind for both sides. LeBron James and Anthony Davis both have the ability to snuff out young players like Herro when they really want to, but their supporting cast is just lacking.

Losing eight of their last 10 games, the Lakers have been seriously struggling to beat any team with real talent as of late.

Outside of Davis and James, nobody else even looks like they’re showing up to play an NBA game. D’Angelo Russell has been awful, and Austin Reaves is by no means a game-changer yet.

The bookies might be giving the Lakers an advantage coming into this one, especially as it’s a home game, but they just haven’t been playing winning basketball. 

Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo, on the other hand, have both been playing excellent as of late, averaging better numbers than Butler himself. Herro has been shooting at an amazing clip from the outside, while Bam absolutely dominates the inside with 10.4 rebounds a night.

If Butler was around, it would likely be a convincing Miami victory, but without him, it’s likely to see a grinding win where the Heat cover a slight spread of -2.5.

Sacramento Kings vs Orlando Magic. Prediction and Betting Tip

The Sacramento Kings will be looking to stretch their winning streak to three on Wednesday, facing off against a weakened Orlando Magic roster. Although no key players are out on Orlando’s side of things, they are missing several key role players, including Markelle Fultz and Jonathan Isaac.

The Magic also don’t have the best record against the Kings, losing four straight and getting beaten down 136-111 earlier in December.

Without the added energy coming off the bench from key players, it will be hard to contend with the De’Aaron Fox-led Kings. Averaging 30 points, 6.1 assists, and 4.6 rebounds, Fox continues his high level of play into the new year.

It says a lot when a younger guy like Fox drags a mediocre team to one of the top spots in the NBA.

However, if the Magic do have a chance, it will be to abuse Sacramento’s less-than-stellar defence. Sitting at 21st in the league, they concede 116.8 a night, which can be a problem, especially when games go the distance.

The Magic themselves are the complete opposite, locking down on the defensive side of the ball while lacking some scoring. It’s going to be hard for Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner to keep up with the King’s tempo, but if they manage to hang around, their defence could potentially bring it home.

Unfortunately, though, the Kings simply have Orlando’s number, and the dynamic duo of Fox and Domantas Sabonis should easily put away Banchero and Franz.

The Orlando Magic will likely keep the game close until the third before the Sacramento Kings start running away with it. By the end of the fourth, the Kings should have no problem covering a spread of 3.5 points.

Disclaimer: Odds are accurate at the time of posting and subject to change. Please verify the latest odds on our platform before betting. 

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