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NBA Wednesday best bets: Fade Clippers amid George's struggles

Andrew D. Bernstein / National Basketball Association / Getty

Well, Tuesday didn't go according to plan. We struck out on our two NBA picks against the spread, but we're feeling good about the value on Wednesday's slate. Here are our best bets:

Timberwolves @ Wizards (-3.5, 215.5), 7 p.m. ET

Neither of these teams came into the season with high expectations, but both have jumped out to surprising winning records through their first 21 games - and their defenses are largely to thank.

That's especially true for the Wizards, who ranked fourth in defensive rating as recently as last week before a few letdown performances. Still, Washington has gone under in 11 of its last 14 games and has held teams to an average of 103.6 points in those contests.

Meanwhile, the Timberwolves have held seven of their last 11 opponents below 100 points but have gone a mere 6-5 to the under thanks to their own offensive prowess. Expect that to slow down against the Wizards' impressive defense, which has helped its side to six straight unders at home.

Pick: Under 215.5

Cavaliers @ Heat (-7, 204.5), 7:30 p.m.

After a stellar start to the season, the Heat have come back down to earth, losing four of five ATS after Monday's outright loss to the Nuggets as three-point favorites. Injuries haven't helped matters: Jimmy Butler (back) and Bam Adebayo (thumb) both missed that contest and are questionable to return Wednesday.

Miami will need all the help it can get against the Cavaliers, who are coming off a pair of blowout victories against the Magic and Mavericks. Cleveland has owned the paint this year behind the dominant duo of Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley, who should feast in this one if Adebayo is sidelined or plays at less than 100%.

Pick: Cavaliers +7

Kings @ Clippers (-6.5, 215.5), 10:30 p.m.

In theory, the Clippers are good enough to be laying this many points at home against the inferior Kings. In practice, though, Los Angeles has shown very little to justify a price like this.

L.A. has dropped seven of its last nine ATS with five outright losses by at least 10 points - highlighted by Monday's 19-point defeat to the Pelicans (+7), who own just six wins through their first 23 games. That marked the Clippers' eighth ATS loss in 12 tries this year when favored by more than three points.

Paul George is partly to blame, as the two-way star is shooting just 38.7% from the floor and 28% from deep in his team's nine-game rut. Sacramento has been hit-or-miss defensively but has the pieces along the perimeter to force another forgettable night for George and Co.

Pick: Kings +6.5

C Jackson Cowart is a sports betting writer at theScore. You can follow him on Twitter (@CJacksonCowart) or email him at cjackson.cowart@thescore.com.

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