Wednesday’s slate offers 11 games to choose from. Warriors – Mavericks and Jazz – Nuggets are featuring on ESPN. Make sure to keep an eye on injury news and updates throughout the day, as there are several key players with a questionable tag heading into Wednesday’s action. Let’s dive into the best bets to make tonight and overall NBA betting tips for Wednesday, Jan. 5.
Best NBA Betting Picks Tonight | Jan. 5
Pistons vs. Hornets
The Detroit Pistons square off against the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday night inside Spectrum Center. The Hornets have an impressive 13-game win streak in the series matchup with the Pistons last win coming 2017. Detroit’s chances tonight will not get any easier, as they are just 3-15 on the road this season. The Pistons continue to play without Jerami Grant (thumb), Kelly Olynyk (knee), Isaiah Stewart (conditioning), Frank Jackson (ankle) and Cory Joseph (COVID). With all these players missing from their roster, it makes for a challenge on both ends of the floor. The Pistons are averaging 101.1 points per game on 41.5% shooting, both 29th in the league.
Detroit has managed to win their last two games, with the last one coming against the Bucks as a 17-point underdog. Saddiq Bey had a career night, dropping 34-points in a 115-106 win. The confidence seems to be building for their young roster, but can they continue the momentum and pull off their first three-game win streak of the season? Detroit will need some more magic out of Bey and Cade Cunningham if they want to have any chance to stay competitive tonight against the high-powered Hornets offense.
The Charlotte Hornets will start a three-game home stand as they try to get back in the win column after dropping their last two games. They have a 9-5 record at home. Charlotte ranks second in points per game with 114.9 on 46.2% shooting. The Hornets have a major advantage from 3-point land in this one and will look to take advantage of a poor Detroit defense. The Hornets rank fifth in 3-pointers made per game with 14.1. Detroit ranks 27th in 3-pointers made per game with 11.2.
Charlotte is 22-16 against the spread on the year and an impressive 11-3 against the spread at home. Detroit is 9-9 against the spread on the road and has an average margin of victory of -11.4. Even though the Hornets have been in a rut, look for them to attack a weak Pistons defense and use their offensive strengths to overpower a young Pistons squad. The Hornets rank fifth in effective field goal percentage, while Detroit ranks dead last. Fifteen of the Pistons 28 losses have come by 10 or more. LaMelo Ball’s length on defense should pose a challenge for Cunningham and Killian Hayes. Lay the points with the Hornets in a bounce-back spot at home.
Best Bet for Tonight’s Game: Charlotte Hornets -10
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Raptors vs. Bucks
The Toronto Raptors travel to Milwaukee on Wednesday to take on the Bucks. Milwaukee is coming off an embarrassing loss to the Pistons. They will look to bounce back at home against the 17-17 Raptors. Toronto will look to extend their win streak to three games after defeating the Knicks and Clippers at home. These two teams faced off once this year back on Dec. 2, with the Raptors coming out on top with a 4-point victory at home. Giannis Antetokounmpo was absent during their first matchup and will be out again
The Bucks are averaging 124.4 points per game on offense over the last five games. Grayson Allen and Pat Connaughton both entered the leagues health and safety protocols and will be out Wednesday. Jordan Nwora entered the health and safety protocols on Monday but is questionable for Wednesday. If he can clear the protocols, he will be in line to pick up increased minutes. Donte DiVincenzo is expected to miss two or three weeks while nursing his injured ankle. The Bucks have six players that average double figures. Milwaukee ranks top 10 in both offensive and defensive efficiency. Tonight they will face a Raptors defense ranked 20th in defensive rating.
The Raptors are coming off a 129-104 win last night against the Spurs. Toronto is averaging 106.9 points per game on 43.9% shooting from the field. Svi Mykhailiuk and Yuta Watanabe will be out for tonight’s game while he looks to clear the leagues health and safety protocols. Aside from these two role players, the Raptors are back to full strength. The Raptors offense is led by Fred VanVleet, Pascal Siakam and O.G. Anunoby. Toronto is the top over team this season, cashing the over in 61.8% of their games. The over has also cashed in their last eight games, with an average total of 231.5 points. The over has cashed in four of the last five games for Milwaukee with an average total of 238.2 points. With two teams that have plenty of scoring options going up against each other, feel confident in taking the over in what should be a shootout in Milwaukee tonight.
Best Bet for Tonight’s Game: Total Over 226 Points
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