NBA Wednesday best bets: Can the Rockets end their losing skid?

Wednesday is perhaps the most crowded slate of the entire NBA season, as 28 of the 30 teams are playing before the entire league is off for Thanksgiving on Thursday.

Let's not waste any time and get right to our best bets.

Grizzlies @ Rockets (-5, O/U 212.5)

This line opened at four and climbed to five. Our market ratings project it closer to 6.5.

The Rockets were recently the hottest team in the NBA, rallying off six straight wins over worthy competition. However, they've since lost three in a row to the Clippers, Lakers, and Warriors.

This is the perfect spot for Houston to snap its losing streak against a putrid 3-10 Grizzlies squad.

Memphis has no reliable scorers. Ja Morant remains suspended and Marcus Smart is out with an injury.

The Grizzlies have the third-worst offensive rating in the NBA, while the Rockets have the sixth-best defensive rating.

This could get ugly in Houston.

Pick: Rockets -5

Sixers @ Timberwolves (-4.5, O/U 221.5)

The Sixers are coming off a thrilling overtime loss against the Cavs in Philadelphia on Tuesday night in which four of their five starters - including Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey - played over 40 minutes. They traveled to Minnesota following the game for a matchup with the Timberwolves.

The Sixers looked disengaged for the majority of Tuesday's game, and they now have to play the league's second-best defense with no rest.

The Timberwolves play at a relatively slow pace and have the fourth-fewest possessions in the league. It should be a slugfest in Minnesota.

Pick: Under 221.5

Kristaps Porzingis: Over 2.5 threes

This is a juicy prop with the line priced at +165. You could take over 1.5 threes instead, but that price is -175.

Kristaps Porzingis has been cold from beyond the arc in recent contests, making just one of his last 14 threes. But he still attempts them at a high rate and is a capable 3-point shooter.

Porzingis' primary defender tonight will be Brook Lopez. The Bucks like to keep Lopez near the basket on defense to serve as a rim-protector. The Celtics will likely counteract that by having Porzingis play on the perimeter, forcing Lopez away from the basket.

With Porzingis on the perimeter more frequently, there will be even more opportunities for him to shoot threes.

Odds: +165

Alex Caruso: Over 9.5 points

Alex Caruso doesn't have the usage percentage or attempt as many shots as DeMar DeRozan or Zach LaVine, but he's a crucial part of the struggling Bulls. Although he shot 4-for-10 from the field last game, he's typically an efficient offensive player.

He scored at least 10 points in his last six games. The only thing that could derail this bet is if his minutes load is reduced. Caruso doesn't play an overwhelming number of minutes, as he's averaging 24.2 per game, but he always makes the most of them.

Odds: -120 (playable to -140)

Luka Doncic: Over 7.5 assists

This number is too low for one of the league's best passers and the NBA's third-highest usage player.

Yes, it's true Luka Doncic's assist numbers have been slipping in recent games. However, he still surpassed 7.5 assists in four of his last seven contests and is averaging 8.1 assists this season.

The Lakers are on the second leg of a back-to-back, which means there should be plenty of opportunities to push the ball against a tired group. The Mavericks already rank fourth in pace. More transition opportunities with Doncic leading the break will lead to more assists.

Odds: -130 (playable to -150)

Sam Oshtry is a sports betting writer at theScore. You can follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @soshtry for more betting coverage.