NBA Predictions and Top Picks – February 24, 2021

The Utah Jazz get a stiff test on Wednesday as they prepare to host the Los Angeles Lakers.

It’s debatable just how difficult of an assignment that is, of course, as the Lakers are down big man Anthony Davis and just lost to the Washington Wizards.

Even so, that game headlines a jam-packed nine-game NBA betting slate. Before you get ready to place any bets at the top-rated NBA betting apps, check out who else is hitting the hardwood tonight.

This has the makings of a fun slate, as the Celtics and Hawks face off for the third time in the last week. Trae Young has gone off in both previous meetings, and both games were pretty explosive.

Stephen Curry also takes the court on Wednesday, while the Spurs and Pacers are back in action after long layoffs.

Ready to bet on the NBA? First, go over Wednesday’s slate with my NBA predictions and top betting picks.

The Celtics and Hawks meet again on Wednesday. The two have split their first two meetings, both of which came in the last week.

Trae Young dominated in both games, dropping a 40-burger in the game Atlanta won.

Atlanta has a slight edge at home here, but the Hawks are actually just 7-9 at home this year. Neither team is really killing it lately, either.

I’ll give the mild edge to Boston, but this is probably a game I’ll stay away from.

The Rockets’ descent into madness knows no bounds. Houston is ravaged by injuries, but there isn’t much excuse for their awful eight-game losing streak.

Houston has to stumble into a win eventually, but they didn’t do themselves any favors by releasing a viable player in DeMarcus Cousins.

The Rockets are releasing DeMarcus Cousins, per @ShamsCharania

Where should Boogie sign? ? pic.twitter.com/ukooUBWtvy

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 23, 2021

The team is still without Christian Wood, too, so there is just zero resistance down low for them right now. Wendell Carter slayed inside against them in their last game, so this could be a blow-up outing for Cavs center Jarrett Allen.

Cleveland is slumping just as hard with 10 straight losses, so something obviously has to break.

I’ll side with the home team here, but nothing about this game feels great.

The Warriors should be ready to rock with Stephen Curry back in the saddle on Wednesday, and they’ll take it to the road to battle the Pacers.

Indy won the last two meetings, including a 104-95 win at Golden State earlier this season. I’d imagine the edge continues to lie with the Pacers, too.

The Pacers should be well rested after a long layoff while they are at home and have a distinct size advantage in this matchup.

The Over stands out due to Golden State’s pace of play, but I’d hammer the Pacers to win here.

This could be an ugly one, as the Pistons are still without both of their top two point guards, and they recently traded away Derrick Rose.

Detroit is also in the middle of shopping Blake Griffin, so they lack reliable talent these days.

New Orleans is never easy to trust, but they’re 5-5 over their last 10 games, and they’re a solid 8-7 at home. I don’t see how you can back Detroit here, but keep in mind that they remain very pesky.

The Pistons lack talent, but Jerami Grant keeps on trucking along, and Detroit is 15-14-1 ATS on the year.

In perhaps one of the better games of the night, the Bulls host the T’Wolves at the United Center.

A new era begins for Minnesota, who just canned former head coach Ryan Saunders.

The Minnesota Timberwolves have dismissed coach Ryan Saunders, sources tell ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 22, 2021

Minnesota comes into this one at just 7-24 on the year. They’re 2-8 over their last 10 and have dropped four in a row.

Karl-Anthony Towns could feast in this matchup, but Minnesota can’t stop anyone defensively, and they’re a paltry 3-13 on the road.

Chicago, meanwhile, has crept into the Eastern Conference playoff picture behind a 6-4 run over their last 10 games. I like them (and the Over) in this one.

Don’t look now, but those early-season struggles are a distant memory for the Raptors. Toronto has ripped off four straight wins, and they’re 7-3 over their last 10 games.

They’ve technically been playing on the road all year, so I’m not sure they get hit too much by playing this one in South Beach.

Even so, Miami is also rounding into form after a rough start. They’re just 7-7 at home, but they’ve won each of their last three and are also 7-3 over their last 10 contests.

Something has to break, and I like Miami’s size inside against Toronto. Jimmy Butler has also been a triple-double machine, and bettors will want to keep tabs on the status of Kyle Lowry.

The Spurs are another team finally playing again after sitting out a slew of games. Their first game back is in OKC, where they face a 12-19 Thunder squad.

Oklahoma City is just 4-10 on their home floor, and they’re not in great form with a 3-7 record over their last 10 games.

Dormant or not, the Spurs are 16-11 and still look like a playoff team. They’ve also been very good (9-3) on the road this year. Against an inferior foe, I don’t see much reason to bet against them.

LaMelo Ball keeps the Hornets interesting, but he may be tasked with too much on Wednesday.

Devonte’ Graham has already been ruled out for this game, and forward Gordon Hayward exited Monday’s game in Utah with a hand injury. He’s also iffy for this one.

Phoenix has morphed into one of the best teams in the league. Now 20-10, the Suns have won three straight and are 9-1 over their last 10.

The Suns are also 11-5 at home and are tied for 8th in defensive efficiency. I don’t see much reason to go against the Suns at home here.

LeBron James has a tall order on Wednesday, as he tries to get a tough road win against the Jazz.

He couldn’t get it done at home in an OT loss to the Wizards in his last game, and L.A. has now dropped three straight.

The Lakers are a very interesting ATS bet here, but they’re beaten up at the moment. In addition to not having Anthony Davis, they’re also still without Dennis Schroder.

Utah, meanwhile, are getting ready to start another winning streak.

They’re 25-6 overall, 14-2 at home, and 9-1 over their last 10. I like the Jazz to win, but the Lakers look like a strong against the spread play.

I love the Pacers at home against the Dubs. Golden State isn’t at 100%, they lost the first meeting, they’re on the road, and they could be tired after playing on Tuesday.

That Timberwolves vs. Bulls game should be en fuego. Neither team plays much defense, and the total isn’t obscene. I’d hammer the Over there.

Detroit is bad in general, and right now, they’re worse than ever from a talent perspective. But bettors are about to trust the Pelicans to beat anyone by more than 10 points? No thanks.

I also like L.A. to bat a 6.5-point spread. They probably lose in Utah, but the Lakers are still competitive with King James leading the charge.