The NBA brings a 8-game slate to us on Wednesday including a pair of nationally televised games. First we will get to see the always spicy encounter between Devin Booker and the Phoenix Suns and Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks. That will be followed up by a matchup that we will surely get to witness for years to come as Chet Holmgren and the Oklahoma City Thunder take on Victo r Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs. You can read our NBA predictions for all of Wednesday’s action. But for now, let’s get into my NBA parlay for today.
It is surprising to see the Charlotte Hornets as the underdogs tonight against the Detroit Pistons. They have a better record and have shown better form over the last 10 games. While they have just lost Terry Rozier via trade, they have their star LaMelo Ball available tonight. Pistons on are welcoming back Cade Cunningham, but it will be his first game in 7 after a knee injury. Do not be surprised to see his usage capped tonight. Over the last 10 games the Pistons have been 29th in defensive rating. That should help the Hornets mitigate the loss of Rozier. The visitors are a more respectable 21st in that category and should have more success slowing down the hosts. Look for Ball to carry the visitors to their second straight win here.
The Milwaukee Bucks are out with Adrian Griffin and in with Doc Rivers. This change might not come quick enough to sort out their defensive issues ahead of their meeting against the Cleveland Cavaliers.' Over the last 10 games they are just 26th in defensive rating as opposed to tonight's visitors who are 2nd. Donovan Mitchell has been cooking for them too, guiding them to 8 straight wins as the teams point guard, the longest current winning streak in the league. I have little faith that Malik Beasley or Damian Lillard can turn into shutdown defenders overnight. I fully expect Mitchell to have plenty of success attacking pick and rolls, especially if Brook Lopez is involved. These sides met a week ago too. While Giannis Antetokounmpo did not play, the Cavaliers won by 40. Mitchell had 31 in 26 minutes. I can't see a major drop off here.