NBA Wednesday Games Recap: Favorites Dominate the Board
KD Returns for Phoenix

Favorites Win Big Across the NBA
It was a dominant night for market favorites as they went 7-3 (70%) ATS, with only one underdog winning outright. Let’s dive into our NBA Wednesday Games Recap and see what went on around the league.
The Phoenix Suns were 107-100 winners at home to the Minnesota Timberwolves in Kevin Durant’s return from injury.
The Suns closed as 6.0-point favorites as they made a statement against one of the league’s hottest teams to solidify themselves in the #4 spot in the West. A pair of late free throws for Chris Paul secured them the ATS cover as they improved to 25-20-1 (54.3%) ATS against Western Conference opponents.
The LA Lakers exacted some quick revenge on the Chicago Bulls as they emerged with a 121-110 win to start their five-game road trip.
The Lakers received strong market support as LeBron James and D’Angelo Russell both returned to the starting lineup. The visitors closed as 4.5-point favorites and led by double-digits for the majority of the second half en route to an easy win and cover.
The LA Clippers were equally impressive on the road as they came up with a 141-132 win at the Memphis Grizzlies.
The Clippers closed as 2.0-point underdogs following news that Kawhi Leonard would sit out for personal reasons. Russell Westbrook put in his best performance of the season in the absence of the Clippers two superstars as he finished with 36 points and 10 assists – also going a perfect 5-for-5 from beyond the arc.
The Grizzlies were without a host of key pieces in their rotation as they played their second of a back-to-back and are now just 19-28-1 (40.4%) ATS against Western Conference opponents this season.
Mavs Stumble Again, NY Duo Score Big Wins
The Dallas Mavericks are facing the very real possibility of missing out on the NBA playoffs after they suffered another loss, going down 116-108 in Philadelphia.
The 76ers welcomed back Joel Embiid and James Harden as they closed as 6.0-point favorites in their first game back home after their recent West coast road trip.
Dallas led by nine points after the opening quarter and took a five point lead into halftime. But, as has been the case of late for this team, they again came undone in the fourth quarter as the Sixers held them scoreless over the final 3:18 of the game.
The Mavs are now a league-worst 6-19-2 (24%) ATS in non-conference matchups this season.
The New York Knicks picked up an important win in their push to lock in the #5 seed in the Eastern Conference NBA standings 2023 as they secured a 101-92 win over the Miami Heat.
The Knicks welcomed back Jalen Brunson as they closed 6.0-point favorites over a Heat team playing their second night of a road back-to-back. The result also secured a 3-1 season series win for the Knicks over a Miami team that is now just 15-23 straight up on the road.
The Brooklyn Nets also picked up an important win in their bid to avoid falling into the play-in picture as they escaped with a 123-114 home win over the Houston Rockets.
The Nets needed a big fourth quarter push to secure the win as they closed the game on a 20-6 run in the final 3:40 to earn the victory. The Rockets did manage to cover the 10.5 point spread though, with the final margin being the biggest deficit they faced in the game.
Bucks, Kings Continue to Roll
The Milwaukee Bucks comfortably took care of an understrength Indiana Pacers team as they left with a 149-136 win.
Khris Middleton sat out for the Bucks, who will prepare for their second night of a back-to-back at home to the Boston Celtics. The Bucks closed as 12.5 point favorites and just managed to get the cover despite going scoreless in the final 2:36 of the game.
The Sacramento Kings also recorded another big win as they comfortably dealt with the shorthanded Portland Trail Blazers on the road.
The Kings, who closed as 14.5-point favorites, ran out 120-80 winners as they officially secured their spot in the playoffs. Sacramento is also 26-18-1 (59.1%) ATS against Western Conference teams this season.
In the two other games, the OKC Thunder needed a late Jalen Williams game-winner to beat the Detroit Pistons 107-106.
The Thunder, who just dropped a game to the Charlotte Hornets, again failed to cover as big favorites, with the Pistons comfortably staying inside the 9.5-point spread.
The Utah Jazz kept their slim play-in hopes alive with a 128-117 road win over the San Antonio Spurs. Lauri Markkanen was ruled out for the Jazz but they comfortably covered as 2.0-point road favorites.
Full game totals were evenly split 5-5 on Over/Under markets, while road teams went 6-4 (60%) ATS on the night.
That’s all for our NBA Wednesday Games Recap. Be sure to check back for all the NBA latest scores and analysis.
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