Wednesday's slate of NBA matchups has a tough act to follow after multiple thrilling endings in last night's contests. Two games that could live up to the hype are the Timberwolves vs. 76ers and the Celtics vs. Kings.
Tonight's headlining games offer elite defenses and offenses, which sets up great wager action. Before tipoff, we’re considering the latest NBA odds, props, and predictions for wager action.
Timberwolves vs. 76ers odds: Philly favored to get back on winning track
Here are the odds for the game from the top sports betting sites.
Timberwolves vs. 76ers props: The battle between Embiid and Gobert offers the best prop bets
Joel Embiid UNDER points
The reigning MVP has dominated the league for the last month. He hasn’t scored under 30 points in that time and is now averaging 34.4 points per game on 53% from the field.
However, that level of dominance hasn’t transferred against the better defenses in the league, especially defenses that limit points in the paint. Tonight, he is up against a Timberwolves defense starting two seven-footers, which has helped morph them into one of the better defenses in the NBA.
Minnesota is in the top 10 in points allowed in the paint and owns the best defensive rating in the league (106.8) – three percentage points higher than the second-place Rockets. Given the number of big bodies the Timberwolves have to throw his way, we’re taking him on the under.
Rudy Gobert OVER rebounds
The Timberwolves’ big man is fourth in the NBA in rebounds per game, bringing in 12.2 per contest. The biggest threat to him covering this line is usually playing time. Teams go to small ball lineups to make him a liability and force him out of the game.
That won’t be true against Philly, who runs its offense through Embiid. Gobert will be 100% responsible for defending the reigning MVP.
In three of the last four games against each other, Gobert has outrebounded Embiid and has twice exceeded his listed total in rebounds for tonight’s game. He has done so in less than 30 minutes on the court against Embiid in each outing.
This season, Gobert is averaging the fourth most minutes per contest he has in his career (32.2). We like him to cover tonight, with him likely matching minutes against Embiid.
More: How to bet on the NBA | Best NBA betting sites
Timberwolves vs. 76ers predictions: Philly’s offense will deliver in crunch time
The Timberwolves’ defense has a case for the best in the league. However, they sacrifice offense in favor of that defense thanks to their twin tower lineup with Karl Anthony-Towns and Gobert, who isn’t a big scoring threat.
Philly’s defense isn’t as strong as Minnesota’s, but they have the reigning MVP and the fourth-best scoring offense in the league. It’s a battle of strength on strength that should keep the game close.
In close games, the Sixers have the offensive firepower to bring the game home, thanks to Tyrese Maxey and Embiid’s ability to create shots for themselves and others in tight moments.
The Timberwolves rely solely on Anthony Edwards in those moments, and his up-and-down nature makes him less dependable in tight games.
Prediction: 76ers
Celtics vs. Kings odds: Boston is slightly favored to bounce back after a letdown to the Warriors
Here are the odds for the game from the top sports betting apps.
Celtics vs. Kings props: Fox and Sabonis will struggle against Boston
De’Aaron Fox UNDER points
The Kings’ star guard hasn’t had much success against Boston as of late, scoring a high of just 20 points in his last two games against them. Now, the Celtics are even better defensively, thanks to their offseason addition of Jrue Holiday.
The trio of Holiday, Derrick White, and Jaylen Brown make the Celtics’ perimeter defense elite. Additionally, a good portion of Fox’s scoring comes in the painted area, and Boston is fifth best at limiting points in that area (45 points per contest).
Lastly, although the Kings are a fast-paced team, the Celtics are near the bottom of the league in pace. If the Celtics play their game, Fox may not have enough possessions to put up his usual numbers.
More: NBA MVP odds | NBA Rookie of the Year odds
Domantas Sabonis UNDER rebounds
Domantas Sabonis is third in the NBA in rebounds per game, averaging 12.3 per contest. Much of that is due to the Kings’ pace of play and Sabonis’ impact on the offensive boards (3.4 per contest).
The Celtics own the second-slowest offensive pace in the league, which will limit possessions. They also hold the third-best defensive rating and the fifth-best defensive rebounding percentage.
The Celtics are primed to limit his production on the boards in multiple ways, which is why we like the Kings’ big man on the under tonight on his rebounding line.
Celtics vs. Kings predictions: Sacramento’s pace is too much for Boston on back-to-back
The Celtics dropped a nail-biter in San Francisco last night to the Warriors in a 132-126 overtime loss. Tonight, they’ll travel up the road to Sacramento to take on one of the fastest-playing teams in the league.
Although relatively young, the Celtics will struggle to keep pace with the Kings on a back-to-back, especially since the Kings are averaging 132 points per contest in their last three games.
Even with superb defense, keeping pace with the Kings for 48 minutes after prolonged play the night before is a tall task. Look for Sacramento’s pace to wear down the Celtics late in another nail-biter on the road.
Prediction: Kings
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