The NBA season is winding down, with only one full week of action left before the playoffs begin. Playoff spots and seedings are waiting to be claimed. Which teams will step up?
Charlotte Bobcats @ Washington Wizards
Wednesday, 7:05 PM ET
NBA Basketball Betting Odds: Washington -5
This is one of the unexpected games with playoff seeding implications on Wednesday. The Bobcats were near the basement in the Eastern Conference last season, but they’ve made such substantial strides this season and have opened a lot of eyes in the NBA. The Washington Wizards did not have a winning record midway through an NBA season since 2009, but powered by John Wall and Bradley Beal, they fought their way above the break-even point and have improved their prospects as a franchise.
What’s significant about this game is that Washington and Charlotte are fighting for the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference. The winner of the sixth seed avoids Miami or Indiana in the first round. That’s important. Washington, playing at home, will probably win here.
Pick: Washington -5
Boston Celtics @ Atlanta Hawks
Wednesday, 7:35 PM ET
NBA Basketball Betting Odds: Atlanta -7
The Hawks have to be flying high after beating the Indiana Pacers, 107-88, this past Sunday in Indianapolis. The unexpectedly strong performance not only pushed the Hawks another game ahead of the New York Knicks in the race for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, improving the Hawks’ postseason prospects. The result gave the Hawks the belief that they can play well and perhaps threaten a good Eastern Conference team when the playoffs begin. The Hawks are probably going to play this game with a lot of energy and intensity. They’re probably going to approach this game the right way and not be overconfident. That’s probably the biggest reason to go with the Hawks here. Are they really going to let down their guard now? It’s not likely.
Pick: Atlanta -7
Oklahoma City Thunder @ Los Angeles Clippers
Wednesday, 10:35 PM ET
NBA Basketball Betting Odds: Clippers -3.5
The thing to realize here is that the Clippers have moved within just one game of the Thunder for the second seed in the Western Conference. The Clippers have been so good over the past two months, and the Thunder have been so ordinary, that it’s now a genuine question as to which team will get the number two spot in the West. The Clippers, by playing this game at home, are probably going to be able to ride their home crowd and start this game with great force. Oklahoma City will need to withstand a number of runs early. It might be able to do just that, especially with Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook on the floor. The Clippers need to pace themselves in this game and not think that they have to win the game in the first half, because that generally doesn’t happen in the NBA. If the Clippers really are the improved team they have suggested they are with their level of play over the past two months, they’re probably strong enough to take this game away from the Thunder.
Pick: Los Angeles Clippers -3.5
