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NBA Wednesday trend plays: Bucks' defense red-hot on the road

Gary Dineen / National Basketball Association / Getty

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Wednesday's the final hurrah on the hardwood before All-Star Weekend, as 22 teams take the floor with the break right around the corner. With one more big slate on tap this week, here are the best betting angles and tips to keep in mind before placing your wagers.

Milwaukee Bucks at Indiana Pacers (-1.5, 222.5)

I'm not sure how much stock you can put in home/road defensive splits in the NBA, but you can't help but marvel at what Milwaukee's done away from Fiserv Forum of late. The Bucks have held each of their last seven opponents to the team total under in road or neutral-site games, allowing just a shade over 100 points over that span. They're on a 5-0 streak against the spread as road favorites due to their stellar defensive play. On the other hand, Indiana is struggling. The Pacers are 1-5 ATS the last six overall and 0-5 ATS the last five home games. They're also 1-8 ATS versus teams with winning percentages greater than .600, which doesn't bode well for them against the dominant Bucks.

Trend plays: Bucks -1.5, Pacers team total under 110.5

Atlanta Hawks at Cleveland Cavaliers (+2, 234)

There have been some good spots to fade the Hawks this season. Atlanta's been one of the worst teams in the league on zero days rest and owns a losing record against the spread overall this season. Wednesday's spot isn't too shabby to buy low, however. The Hawks were defeated by Orlando on Monday, and they've been pretty solid at bouncing back, going 6-1-1 ATS following a loss and covering five of the last six after an ATS loss. Meanwhile, Cleveland - which is third-worst in the league at 22-30-1 ATS this season - is 1-6 ATS against teams with losing records and 3-7 ATS over its last 10 outings.

Trend play: Hawks -2

Detroit Pistons at Orlando Magic (-7.5, 207.5)

The Pistons' offense was a no-show on Monday, posting just 76 points in an 11-point home loss to Charlotte. This could be a nice buy-low spot on the over as both teams have recently trended in that direction. Detroit is a perfect 6-0 to the over following a double-digit home loss and 8-2 in its last 10 following an ATS loss. Orlando has mainly been an under team this season, but it's 4-0-1 to the over the last five following an ATS win, 5-2 to the over the last seven against teams with losing records, and 4-1 the last five after topping 125 points in its previous game.

Trend play: Over 207.5

Washington Wizards at New York Knicks (-3, 230.5)

The Wizards poured it on Tuesday en route to a 126-114 win over the Bulls, and don't be surprised if they keep up the scoring surge on Wednesday against the Knicks. Washington is on a blistering 47-20-1 run to the over playing on zero days rest, 5-0 to the over the last five road games, and 6-2 the last eight when getting points. The Wizards are also 15-7-1 ATS the last 23 games against the Knicks and have covered nine of their last 11 meetings in New York.

Trend plays: Wizards +3, Over 230.5

Los Angeles Lakers at Denver Nuggets (+2.5, 219.5)

Although the Lakers have been profitable ATS this season for bettors, Wednesday isn't a spot I'd be rushing to play them. L.A. is just 3-7 ATS the last 10 as a road favorite, 2-8 ATS against teams with winning percentages higher than .600, 1-6 ATS playing on one day's rest, and 1-5 ATS the last six meetings in Denver. The Nuggets have been red-hot recently, covering each of their last four overall and four of the last five when catching points.

Trend play: Nuggets +2.5

Alex Kolodziej is a betting writer for theScore. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 12 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AJKolodziej.

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