This article is part of our NBA Picks series.
Alex Barutha
Dejounte Murray 25+ points, 12+ assists, 10+ rebounds at Thunder (+800) -- DraftKings, 2:39 PM CT
The Thunder, who are already bad, are extremely shorthanded Wednesday. Notably, Lu Dort's addition on the injury report is new, and he likely would have been trusted to guard Murray. I think combining that with Derrick White now being on the Celtics means that Murray has tons of potential for a monster game. Over his past 12 appearances, he's averaged 22.9 points, 11.3 assists and 8.3 rebounds in 34.5 minutes.
Nick Whalen
Portland Trail Blazers +11.0 (-105) at Memphis Grizzlies -- DraftKings Sportsbook, 1PM CT
This number is down slightly from earlier in the morning, but it's still a bit too high for me -- especially considering there's a real chance Ja Morant could remain out on the second half of a back-to-back. The Grizzlies were just fine without him last night, and I would pick them to win again straight-up, but Portland has been exceptionally frisky since gutting its roster, so I like the Blazers' chances to keep this one fairly close if Morant doesn't play.
Indiana Pacers -1.0 vs. Washington Wizards -- DraftKings Sportsbook, 1PM CT
As of writing this, the game is currently off the board in the wake of news that Rui Hachimura and Malcolm Brogdon are officially ruled out. Brogdon has played in exactly two of Indiana's last 25 games, so his absence really doesn't mean anything. Both of these teams changed up their rosters at the deadline, and while they're both in rebuilding mode, the Wizards' depth chart is considerably less intriguing. Kyle Kuzma has looked good as the de facto No. 1 option, but after him things get pretty bleak. Indiana isn't exactly loaded with Myles Turner (foot) sidelined, but the Tyrese Haliburton-Buddy Hield duo is solid, and the Pacers have a handful of interesting young frontcourt options. I'll take the Pacers at home.
Joe Bartel
Anfernee Simons over 21.5 points (-130) -- 12:25 PM CT
There are a couple of rules of gambling I tend to live by. 1) Always look at an opposing center's rebounding under when they go up against Steven Adams. 2) If a player is averaging more shots than his points over, take the over. Since the Trail Blazers' complete roster teardown, Simons is averaging 23.3 shots per game across 36.7 minutes per contest. I'd expect Simons to pretty easily hit that over, but if Ja Morant (ankle) were to miss Wednesday's game it theoretically should make it all the more likely given the game could be closer.
