There are just a couple of weeks left in a topsy-turvy 2022 NBA regular season.
The Los Angeles Lakers have officially dropped out of the playoff standings with their decisive loss to the Dallas Mavericks. Milwaukee Bucks used a fourth-quarter comeback to remind the Philadelphia 76ers why they are still the team to beat in the Eastern Conference.
There’s a loaded slate of games Wednesday night, and from it, here are the best ones to bet on.
Dallas Mavericks -3 vs Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers winning aura has been dissipating over the back half of the regular season. Especially with all of the injuries that they have been dealing it.
Cleveland will be playing without Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley in their frontcourt. While Lauri Markkanen and Kevin Love are suitable replacements, their bench depth is going to be reduced tremendously.
The Mavericks are going to be playing in the second night of a back-to-back, but they went up by so many points last night that their starters did not have to play their usual minutes nor at the same intensity level.
Dallas has also gone 7-3 in its last ten games. They hold a two-game lead over the Utah Jazz for fourth in the West. They will want another win to maintain this gap, and they are due to get one against the Cavs.
Phoenix Suns ML vs Golden State Warriors
The Phoenix Suns are going to finish the regular season with the best record in the entire NBA and have won seven straight road games. They are playing as efficiently as ever, and Chris Paul has not missed a beat since returning from his injury.
The Suns are still being overlooked by many in the NBA futures market. They have a legitimate chance of reaching, if not cruising, to the NBA Finals for the second straight season.
Golden State has lost three games in a row and will be without leading scorer and superstar Steph Curry. He is dealing with an injury of his own. Jordan Poole has been excellent in his third year, but with the inconsistency from Klay Thompson and regression from Andrew Wiggins, it is unlikely that he carries the team to a win against the league’s premier outfit.
Miami Heat vs Boston Celtics u213
There has been a lot of trouble brewing in Miami recently, as best evidenced by the on-court scuffle between Jimmy Butler, Udonis Haslem, and head coach Erik Spoelstra.
Reports have also circulated that there is lots of tension behind the scenes, and Miami could eventually implode. As far as the short-term, Miami has lost four of its last five, only managing to beat the Sacramento Kings.
The Boston Celtics just rested their starters against the Toronto Raptors, and although they will be without center Robert Williams III for 4-6 weeks, they will roll out a formidable lineup. There is a very strong chance that Boston wins this game, but given that both teams are among the best defensive units in the league, the under is the most attractive prospect in this game.
