Steve Starr
- Go to BetOnline for updated NBA lines, spreads and totals for Wednesday’s full 10-game slate
- The Brooklyn Nets host the Miami Heat on NBA League Pass
- Trae Young and the Hawks should pick up an easy win over the Pelicans before Damian Lillard and the Blazers host Ja Morant and the Grizzlies on ESPN
Well, we hope you have NBA League Pass. Instead of featuring the Miami Heat vs. Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday night, ESPN is showing New Orleans Pelicans vs. Atlanta Hawks in the early slot followed by the Memphis Grizzlies traveling to Portland to take on the Trail Blazers.
Before we look at the lines for Wednesday’s enormous 10-game lineup and preview the two nationally-televised contests, be sure to check out our tips and advice for betting on basketball.
NBA Wednesday Night
Pelicans vs. Hawks
New Orleans is still winless on the season and new reports say that injured star Zion Williamson has ballooned back over 300 pounds. While it’s hard to keep up your cardio after undergoing foot surgery, rival execs are apparently monitoring the situation to see if Zion might want to follow Anthony Davis’ lead and escape the Big Easy.
The Pelicans host their second home game of the season after losing three straight on the road. Atlanta has already been tripped up once by sub-par competition, falling 101-95 to the Cavaliers on Friday night, but are 2-1 on the year with victories over the Mavericks and Pistons. Expect Trae Young and company to fill the basket on Wednesday night.
Zion Williamson reportedly reached ‘north of 300 pounds’ this offseason, per @JakeLFischer pic.twitter.com/vLu4bX4Cws
— NBA Central (@TheNBACentral) October 20, 2021
Trail Blazers vs Grizzlies
After dropping their home opener to Sacramento, the Trail Blazers rebounded to crush the visiting Suns 134-105 on Saturday night. Following Monday’s road game with the Clippers, Portland hosts Memphis on Wednesday night. The Grizzlies opened their season with consecutive victories over the Cavs and Clips before playing the Lakers on Sunday night.
Damian Lillard isn’t letting the offseason drama impact his game, starting his 10th season with averages of 24.6 points, 6.6 assists and 4.2 rebounds. Ja Morant has also enjoyed a hot start, with 37 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists in the opener and another 28 points on Saturday. This matchup might go down to the buzzer, but we like the home-team Blazers.
Damian Lillard will stick with the Blazers through thick and thin 👊 pic.twitter.com/qmmIZrtzXd
— Blazers Nation (@BlazersNationCP) October 19, 2021
Nets vs Heat
After getting crushed by Milwaukee on opening night, the Nets almost fell to 0-2 before Kevin Durant’s triple-double (29 points, 15 rebounds, 12 assists) led Brooklyn from 14 points down. After back-to-back home dates with Charlotte and Washington, the Nets host the Heat on Wednesday night.
When Miami pummeled the reigning NBA champion Bucks 137-95 in their home opener, it was fair to wonder if the Heat could be headed back to the NBA Finals for the second time in three years. But with both Kyle Lowry and Victor Oladipo injured on Saturday, they fell to the Pacers 102-91. They will need both guards back in the mix to hang with Brooklyn.
We like Durant and James Harden to outduel Jimmy Butler and the banged-up Heat.
Facetime @KDTrey5 💦 pic.twitter.com/kZEvbuukXc
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) October 23, 2021
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