NBA Picks and Parlays: 3 NBA Parlay and Same-Game Picks for Wednesday

NBA Picks and Parlays: 3 NBA Parlay and Same-Game Picks for Wednesday

Wednesday's NBA Parlay

With today's massive slate of games, picking a reliable and realistic parlay was no easy feat, but we got there! And have a three-team parlay that oozes potential in our mid-week slot. So let's jump right in!

• Chicago Bulls -5
• Cleveland Cavaliers +8
• New Orleans Pelicans +10.5

Want to build your own parlay? Check out OddsChecker's parlay calculator to see what kind of odds your parlay will net!

NBA Parlay Breakdown

Jumping out to an early undefeated start had some people labeling Chicago as a team to watch. In contrast, others remained dubious about the strength of their opening schedule, but after wins against the Utah Jazz and Boston Celtics, it would seem this teams for real. Philadelphia is surviving without Ben Simmons and has been collecting some wins. They're currently averaging 116.4 points per 100 possessions while only allowing 106.8 per 100, giving them a points differential of +9.6. Chicago will exploit the mid-range area against the 76ers due to Joel Embiids limitations when defending outside of drop coverage, so expect DeMar DeRozan to feast above the free-throw line. Given their firepower and the impact Alex Caruso is having off the bench, we're slightly favoring the Bulls in this one, so providing the 76ers a five-point head start seems a bit steep but is easily attainable for this Bulls offense.

Next up, we have the Cleveland Cavaliers facing off against the Portland Trail Blazers. We're backing the underdog here, in large part due to the defense on offer from Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen, and Lauri Markkanen as a towering trio. While only a middle-of-the-pack defense, the Cavs have played above expectations, with Darius Garland continuing to impress on offense. The Trail Blazers are no joke, though. With their perimeter scoring, and the big sturdy body of Jusuf Nurkic operating in the paint, Portland should be able to manipulate the Cavs defensive structure and damage them from the perimeter and extended mid-range. We're banking on the Cavs defense holding strong enough to keep the game within eight points, which projects to be within the range of probability when looking at the numbers. For reference, the Trail Blazers are averaging 112.5 points per 100 on offense and giving up 110.8 on defense, while the Cavs are holding opponents to 106.9 on defense and scoring 105.3 on average per 100 possessions.

Finally, we have the New Orleans Pelicans against the Sacramento Kings in a battle of the Western Conference strugglers or projected struggles in Sacramento's case. Unfortunately, the Pelicans don't project to taste victory too often until Zion Williamson returns, which tells you everything you need to know about their strength in depth and their over-reliance on one player. Still, take nothing away from the Kings, who have vastly improved in their effort and execution to begin the year. With the Kings averaging 108.1 points per 100 possession and the Pelicans allowing 112.4 per 100, our +10.5 cushion should be enough to see this parlay reach a favorable conclusion.

Orlando Magic vs. Boston Celtics Same-Game Parlay

• Celtics +5
• Over 210.5 points
• Odds: +117

Ime Udoka hasn't had the start he would have wanted as the head coach of the Boston Celtics, and their problems are racking up quickly. No better time, then, than a pallet cleanser against the Orlando Magic. Orlando, for their part, is playing with freedom, which has seen Cole Anthony become a borderline 20-point-per-game guard; along with his 5.6 assists and 7.6 rebounds per game, Anthony is living up to the early expectations placed on his head. Despite the Celtics' problems, they should seriously be expected to steady a sinking ship against Orlando. Still, we're not trusting them to do that, especially after watching them fail to capitalize on their early-game dominance more than once this season. So instead, we're going to take the bait we're given and cover the Celtics for a close loss, with a +5-point cushion, which will still convey should Boston come out victorious.

Brooklyn Nets vs. Atlanta Hawks Same-Game Parlay

• Hawks +6.5
• Over 220 points
• Odds: +130

In the last five meetings between the Atlanta Hawks and Brooklyn Nets, we've seen some spectacles, with Brooklyn leading the five-game mini-sample 3-2. Both teams hold similar records and have seen their star scorers struggle to adapt to the NBA's new foul rules, which has reduced the effectiveness of both James Harden and Trae Young getting to the line. However, Kevin Durant has been phenomenal to begin the year and is currently averaging 27.7 points per game on 58.3% effective field goal shooting – simply put, Durant remains unguardable. Throw in Brooklyn's top-10 defensive in points allowed per 100, and the Hawks have an uphill battle to climb.

Sure, the Hawks have one of the deepest rosters in the NBA, but that won't help them against an otherworldly Nets team, who have star names coming off the bench for them in impact roles (granted, these stars are old now.) So, with Brooklyn's potent offense and the Hawks' primary weapon learning how to play in the "new rule" NBA, we're expecting the Nets to come out victorious but still covering our bases. At +6.5 on the spread, Atlanta gives them wiggle room to lose the game or win but relies on the contest being tightly fought down to the last few possessions. Losing with effort? That's a risk I'm willing to take from the Hawks! But of course, if you would rather invert this parlay for a Brooklyn win, you can.