Nets (+7.5) @ Spurs (226.5)
Pick: Spurs -7.5
Did you see Gregg Popovich’s comments after the Spurs escaped with a 126-124 victory against Phoenix? If you didn’t, he wasn’t happy with his team and was treating the game like it was a loss. That likely spells trouble for the Nets tonight. Brooklyn covered by the skin of its teeth on Monday night in Boston, was not as lucky against the spread on Tuesday against Chicago, and now plays its third game in its third different city tonight. We probably were already looking to the Spurs side anyway here. Now we get a motivated San Antonio team. Even better.
Sixers (+9.5) @ Warriors (240)
Pick: Sixers +9.5
When else do you get to back the Sixers getting almost 10 points? The answer is probably never. Warriors lines are always jacked up higher than they should be which explains Golden State’s 23-26-1 ATS record this season despite being the clear favorite to win another NBA championship. For the first time since debuting for Golden State, DeMarcus Cousins will not be the best big man on the floor. Joel Embiid dropped 28 and 11 against the Lakers in just 30 minutes on Tuesday. Look for him to play more and do more in what should be a competitive game. Games like this are why the Sixers acquired Jimmy Butler to help neutralize wing scorers like Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson. Perhaps the Sixers don’t match up great against Steph Curry, but there’s enough talent on the roster for Philly to stay within single digits tonight.