CJ McCollum and the Blazers return home to face the Grizzlies after getting stomped on by the Clippers.
CJ McCollum and the Blazers return home to face the Grizzlies after getting stomped on by the Clippers.@CJMcCollum on Twitter

NBA Wednesday: O'Sullivan picks Heat at Nets, Hawks at Pelicans, Wizards at Celtics, Grizzlies at Trailblazers

Miami Heat at Brooklyn Nets, 7:30 pm Eastern, Atlanta Hawks at New Orleans Pelicans, 7:30 pm, Washington Wizards at Boston Celtics, 7:30 pm, Memphis Grizzlies at Portland Trail Blazers, 10 pm.

Seattle O’Sullivan 2021-2022 NBA Season so far: 17-22-1, -$109.43

Miami Heat at Brooklyn Nets, 7:30 pm Eastern

The Pick: Brooklyn -175, bet $10 to win $5.80

I’m continuing to take moneylines as long as it’s not too expensive, spending a little more on the plays until I’m on a better track. Brooklyn is playing at home (where they’re 10-2 against the spread in their last 12, going back to last season). They’ve started off 2-2, so this matchup against a squad threatening their perch atop the Eastern Conference should have the Nets playing 100%. In their first four games, they’ve averaged only 104.2 points per game, and with Kevin Durant and James Harden, that average is going to increase, and soon. I expect it to happen tonight.

Atlanta Hawks at New Orleans Pelicans, 7:30 pm Eastern

The Pick: New Orleans +6 (-110), bet $11 to win $10; New Orleans +198, bet $7 to win $13.86

New Orleans has frustrated me to this point in the season - and that’s putting it mildly. Still without Zion Williamson, the Pelicans have started 1-3. Atlanta has started 2-1, and looks good, but again, this early, predictions are based on feeling more than statistics. In two weeks, I’ll have a sample size that will equal my eye test. But tonight, I suspect New Orleans will be happy to return home after a surprise win over Minnesota, while Atlanta kicks off a short road trip. I think the Pelicans will at least keep it close.

Washington Wizards at Boston Celtics, 7:30 pm Eastern

The Pick: Boston -190, bet $9 to win $4.77

After dropping their first two games, Boston has righted its ship a bit, evening their record at 2-2 and finding that Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown will each have nights where they lead the team in points. The Celtics as a team are scoring 116 points per game, more than eight points per game more than Washington. Boston’s two wins were on the road; they’ve yet to win at home. I think they’ll do so tonight. Again, the moneyline is less than -200, so I’ll spend a little more for a straight win.

Memphis Grizzlies at Portland Trailblazers, 10 pm Eastern

The Pick: Portland -129, bet $14 to win $10.92

Portland returns home after getting pummeled by the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday. The Grizzlies lost to those Clippers two days earlier than the Trail Blazers, by only six points. Again, I’m banking on a good team playing at home versus the (slight, admittedly) fatigue of a team that’s far away from its own gym. Dillon Brooks is still out for Memphis, and they’re maintaining. But Dame Lillard is going up against Ja Morant, and I expect him to step it up against a rising superstar.

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