The Milwaukee Bucks are playing today, which means the return of one of our favorite NBA betting trends: Fear the first-half Deer. Giannis Antetokounmpo & Co. will try for another fast start when they host the Indiana Pacers.
Meanwhile, Jimmy Buckets has lived up to his name since returning to the lineup for the Miami Heat and gets a juicy matchup against the “defense is optional” Washington Wizards.
We break down the NBA odds for those games and more with our best free NBA picks and predictions for Wednesday, February 3.
NBA Picks for Today
Indiana Pacers vs Milwaukee Bucks
Yes, the Milwaukee Bucks and our "Fear the first-half Deer" betting trend has been a regular guest in our daily NBA picks, and for good reason: Milwaukee is just 9-11 ATS this season but they have been dominant in the first half of games.
The Bucks have used their No. 1-ranked offense to go 13-6 against the first-half number. So, it should be no surprise they lead the NBA in first-half scoring (61.5) and first-half margin (+6.7), and they’ll be in a position to keep the trend going tonight against the visiting Indiana Pacers.
The Pacers are actually a solid first-half squad in their own right, ranking sixth in first-half scoring and eighth in first-half margin but they don’t match up well against Milwaukee, and are in a tough spot playing in the second half of a back-to-back.
The Pacers do a fair share of their scoring inside the 3-point line, where the Bucks are the strongest. Concurrently, Indiana struggles to guard the perimeter and that could be a problem against one of the best 3-point shooting teams in the NBA.
With the Pacers having some tired legs, we like the Bucks to get off to another strong start.
PREDICTION: Bucks -4.5 First Half (-110)
Washington Wizards vs Miami Heat
Jimmy Butler hasn’t missed a beat after missing nine straight games due to COVID-19 restrictions. The Miami Heat star forward is averaging 27.5 points, 8.0 rebounds and 6.5 assists in his first two games back and he’ll look to keep rolling when the Heat host the Washington Wizards Wednesday.
Butler is shooting 47.2 percent from the field since returning and now gets a very juicy matchup against a Wizards team that is playing its second game in as many nights. Washington ranks 29th in defensive rating and dead last in the NBA when it comes to scoring defensive and opponent field goal percentage.
Butler should have his way with a Wizards defense that is in a particularly rough four-game stretch, where they have allowed 129.5 points per game. We’re betting Jimmy Buckets lives up to his namesake and goes Over his point total in this one.
PREDICTION: Jimmy Butler Over 21.5 Points (-110)
Dallas Mavericks vs Atlanta Hawks
This season has not gone the way the Dallas Mavericks had hoped. They have lost six consecutive ball games to fall to 8-13 for the year. Things won’t get any easier when they visit the upstart Atlanta Hawks Wednesday.
Not only have the Mavericks lost six games in a row straight up, but they have also failed to cover the spread in each of those matchups. The biggest reason for the Mavs’ struggles? Their offense (outside of Luka Doncic) has taken a huge step back.
The Mavs led the NBA in offensive rating a season ago and so far this year, they rank 21st and are scoring just 106.5 points per game during their losing skid. That doesn’t bode well against a Hawks team that – all of the sudden – is strong at the defensive end of the floor.
The Hawks, who are coming off a 107-99 loss to the L.A. Lakers, rank ninth in defensive rating and second in opponent effective field goal percentage.
On offense, Atlanta isn’t as potent as in years past, ranking 12th in points per game (112.5), but that is something they will gladly take for more wins. And while the Mavs have struggled on offense they are still putting in the effort on the defensive end, allowing 110.4 points per contest.
With the Hawks going 4-0 ATS in their last four games against teams with a losing straight up record, and the Under going 11-1 in Atlanta's last 12 games following a straight up loss, we can't help but double dip here.
PREDICTION: Hawks +2 (-110) AND Under 223 (-110)
Top NBA Consensus for Today
Want to know who today's biggest NBA betting and consensus bets are right now? Check out our top NBA consensus picks.
Yesterday's picks: 3-0 (+2.51 units)
Season record to date: 58-54-1 (-0.18 units)
NBA Betting Card for February 3
- Bucks -4.5 First Half (-110)
- Jimmy Butler Over 21.5 Points (-110)
- Hawks +2 (-110) AND Under 223 (-110)
NBA Parlays
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