NBA Wednesday Tips: Brooklyn Nets can lean on sturdy defence with Durant out

Almost by stealth the Sixers have made their case to be considered an NBA contender, but they will have another test to pass on Wednesday night against the Brooklyn Nets.

Brooklyn Nets @ Philadelphia 76ers

Tipoff: 12.30am Thursday GMT

On the blind side, the Sixers have elevated themselves back towards the top of the standings with a five-game winning streak that has seen their NBA Championships odds slashed to just 19. However, they are still a bigger price than the Boston Celtics (available at 5) and their Wednesday night guests, the Nets (10.5). 

Nevertheless, 10 wins from their last 12 games has put the spring back in the 76ers’ step. And, with an injured Kevin Durant out for at least two more weeks, they now have an excellent chance to knock off Brooklyn for the second time in barely a month and steal a small march in the race for the playoffs. 

Philly is not without issues of its own. James Harden and Joel Embiid were both rested for Monday’s trip to Sacramento - no ‘big two’, no problem. Tyrese Maxey posted 32 points to help his side complete a 5-0 road swing with a 129-127 victory.

That margin typified the Sixers’ resilient streak. Over their last dozen, they are 15th in total offense at 114.1 points per game on an unspectacular differential of +3.8. That’s a number skewed by a beating down of Detroit and a shocker against Oklahoma. But overall this term, Philadelphia is one of just two teams in the top seven in offensive and defensive rating.  

Despite losing Durant, the Nets come off road wins at Golden State and Utah which broke a four-game skid. Their offense has taken a knock, yet their defence remains elite. Brooklyn will bid to lean on the latter but will only stand a shot at leveling the season series if the total points remain below 227.

Prediction: Nets +4.5 @ 2.06 

Denver Nuggets @ Milwaukee Bucks

Tipoff: 1am Thursday GMT

Two MVP candidates and two teams with short NBA Championship odds; Denver’s trip to Milwaukee is a possible NBA Finals rehearsal.

The Bucks are a team to watch between now and the All-Star break. With Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton reunited for the first time in a month, and the 2021 champs duly buoyed, Milwaukee piled in 49 points in the first quarter alone on Monday to tear the hapless Pistons apart.

What a shift from Middleton’s hiatus, when the Bucks were 27th in points scored (112.7 per game) and were actually outscored by an average margin of -2.7 in a 9-9 stretch. Now the band is back together.

Yet the Nuggets remain under-appreciated, given only a 6.45% chance of the title despite the second-best record in the NBA following a nine-game winning run that was ended by a Sunday upset by the Thunder when Nikola Jokic was absent. As ever, Denver is imperious at home (22-4) but less sure on their travels (12-10), where they have lost at a clip of -3.3 and given up 116.3 points per night. 

Prediction: Over 230 points @ 2.14

Toronto Raptors @ Sacramento Kings

Tipoff: 3am Thursday GMT

It is as much by the failure of others as their own gains, but the Kings are now 2.5 favourites to top what remains a loaded Pacific Division and 1.32 to end a league-high 16-season stretch without a playoff appearance.

Always fun to watch, Sacramento is playing great basketball in the early Mike Brown era and spanked Memphis by 33 points on Monday to improve to 16-10 at home. Boasting a 7-1 record over their last eight games, they have averaged an NBA-high 120.3 points in that spell.

Toronto, who struggle for points, is just 6-15 on the road and lost 124-123 at home to the Kings five weeks ago. It should be a more resounding defeat the second time around. 

Prediction: Kings -6.5 @ 2.28

NBA Wednesday Tips

Brooklyn Nets @ Philadelphia 76ers: Nets +4.5 @ 2.06
Denver Nuggets @ Milwaukee Bucks: Over 230 points @ 2.14
Toronto Raptors @ Sacramento Kings: Kings -6.5 @ 2.28