NBA best bets and picks for Wednesday night's slate comes from the BUCKETS Podcast, where our analysts gave out picks for four of the games on tonight's 10-game slate, including Timberwolves vs. Pistons, Spurs vs. Celtics, Bucks vs. Cavaliers and Warriors vs. Jazz.
Read their analysis and listen to the latest episode of the BUCKETS Podcast below.
Best NBA Bets Tonight | Expert Picks From the 'Buckets' Podcast (Jan. 17)
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 7 p.m. | Pistons +12 |
  | 7:30 p.m. | Spurs 1H +9.5 |
  | 7:30 p.m. | Cavaliers +4 |
  | 9 p.m. | PPD |
Pistons +12 vs. Timberwolves
7 p.m. ET ⋅ NBA League Pass
The Timberwolves are one of the best teams in the league at 28-11 straight up. They just picked up a tough win over the Clippers and now have to travel to Detroit. Most teams don't take the Pistons seriously and I think this is a good spot for the Pistons.
These two teams don't play often but the Pistons have actually won the last two. The Pistons are freed up now and won their last game over the Wizards. They have covered their last two games as well.
This is a lookahead spot and it has been tough for teams to get up against the Pistons, who only have four wins on the season.
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Spurs 1H +9.5 at Celtics
7:30 p.m. ET ⋅ NBA League Pass
By Jay Money
I like this play quite a bit and I wouldn't be surprised if they are leading at half. I think they will be in this game the entire game and should cover the whole game as well. They know they played terrible against the Hawks and Coach Gregg Popovich benched the whole starting 5.
I think they come out with some fire after the MLK game on Monday, as they are quietly one of the best first half teams in the league. They have covered six of their last seven games.
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Cavaliers +4 vs. Bucks
7:30 p.m. ET ⋅ ESPN
By Sean Little
The Cavs right now are playing great ball on their homestand. They haven't been playing great teams but have some great stats to back up their play. They are No. 2 in net rating over the last seven games and are top 10 in defending the 3-point line. If they can slow them up and keep them off the free throw line, they should have a good chance.
The Bucks are coming off some wild games after defeating the Celtics and hitting a buzzer-beater against the Kings. I think the spot is good for the Cavs and see them winning this one outright. The Bucks' defense is shaky and the Cavs' offense should be able to get going.
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Warriors +5 at Jazz
9 p.m. ET ⋅ NBA League Pass
Editor's note: Wednesday's game between the Warriors and Jazz has been postponed due to a serious medical situation involving Golden State assistant Dejan Milojevic.
We are going to fade the hottest team in the league. The Jazz are quietly 9-1 straight-up in their last 10 against a lot of really good teams. Sell high, buy low is the epitome of this game. The Warriors have plenty of rumors about trades, distractions, but I think they are the value play tonight.
I think this is a spot where they can get an outright win and head back to Chase Center happy.
The Jazz have to cool off eventually and their offense has been on fire.
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