NBA Showdown Sees Thunder Challenge Bucks, While Undefeated Nebraska Faces Washington Amidst Packed Wednesday Sports Schedule

A bustling sports calendar unfolds on Wednesday, January 21, featuring a high-stakes NBA clash between the formidable Oklahoma City Thunder and the Milwaukee Bucks, alongside a marquee college basketball contest pitting undefeated No. 7 Nebraska against Washington. The day’s action also includes several other NBA and NHL matchups, drawing significant attention from fans and bettors alike.

NBA Focus: Cavaliers Battle Hornets, Thunder Challenge Bucks

The National Basketball Association presents a seven-game slate on Wednesday, with two matchups highlighted for their competitive potential and betting implications. The first of these sees the Cleveland Cavaliers (24-20) travel to the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, to face the Charlotte Hornets (16-27) at 7 p.m. ET. This Eastern Conference rivalry has been evenly matched this season, with the teams splitting their two previous meetings, both held in Cleveland. The Cavaliers enter the contest as 3.5-point favorites in the latest consensus NBA odds, reflecting their superior overall record.

Recent trends suggest a high-scoring affair when the Cavaliers and Hornets meet. Cleveland has been involved in offensively charged games, with five of their last seven contests exceeding the projected total. Similarly, three of Charlotte’s past five outings have also gone Over the established line. Their most recent encounter on December 22 saw a combined 271 points scored, indicating a propensity for fast-paced, high-efficiency offense. The SportsLine Projection Model, taking into account Cleveland’s league-leading scoring average of 119.6 points per game (ranking fourth in the NBA), projects the Over on 235.5 points to hit in 62.5% of its simulations. Beyond the total, SportsLine NBA expert Mike Barner, who boasts a strong record of 7-2 (+485) on his last nine NBA player prop picks, has identified Hornets forward Miles Bridges as a key performer. Barner projects Bridges to exceed 8.5 combined rebounds and assists (-143), citing the player’s consistent performance against the Cavaliers this season, where he recorded 10 or more combined rebounds and assists in both previous meetings. The Cavaliers, despite their strong offense, will need to contain Bridges’ all-around impact to secure a road victory against a Hornets team looking to improve its home record.

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Later in the evening, at 9:30 p.m. ET, the spotlight shifts to the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, where the Oklahoma City Thunder (36-8) are set to extend their impressive run against the Milwaukee Bucks (18-24). The Thunder, currently holding one of the league’s best records, aim to continue their winning streak in this series, having secured three consecutive victories over Milwaukee after a period where the Bucks had dominated, winning six straight and eight of nine prior meetings. Oklahoma City arrives in Milwaukee in formidable form, having won 10 of its last 13 overall games and maintaining a solid 4-2 record on the road in recent outings. Their current four-game road trip has seen them go 2-1, most recently routing the Cleveland Cavaliers 136-104 for their sixth win in seven overall games.

In contrast, the Milwaukee Bucks have endured a challenging season, reflected in their 18-24 record. Their home performance has been particularly underwhelming, with a 9-10 record at Fiserv Forum this season. The Bucks have lost four of their last six contests on their home court and were on a four-game losing streak overall before narrowly edging the Atlanta Hawks 112-110 on Monday. The disparity in current form is stark, leading to the Thunder being installed as significant 9.5-point favorites against the Bucks.

Despite Milwaukee’s struggles, particularly their 25th-ranked scoring average of 112.4 points per game, and the Thunder allowing a league-low 108 points per game, the SportsLine Projection Model forecasts an Over on the total of 226.5 points (-115) for this matchup. This projection is largely driven by Oklahoma City’s league-leading offense, which averages an impressive 121.4 points per game. Five of the Thunder’s last seven games have seen a combined score of 233 points or more, indicating their offensive firepower can push totals higher even against strong defenses. The model’s simulations show the Over hitting in nearly 66% of outcomes. However, SportsLine props expert Alex Selesnick offers a counter-narrative for individual performance, predicting Milwaukee superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo to score Under 28.5 points (-118). Selesnick’s analysis suggests that Antetokounmpo will face a tough challenge against Oklahoma City’s robust defense, compounded by his recent scoring trend of 25 points or fewer in four of his last five outings.

NHL Action: Red Wings Seek Sweep Against Maple Leafs

The National Hockey League contributes six games to Wednesday’s schedule, highlighted by an Original Six matchup between the Toronto Maple Leafs (24-17-8) and the visiting Detroit Red Wings (30-16-4) at 7 p.m. ET at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. The Red Wings arrive in Canada looking to complete a season sweep against the Maple Leafs, having won all three previous meetings this season. Detroit is also in a strong overall form, having secured six wins in its last seven contests.

Despite Detroit’s recent dominance in the head-to-head series and their current hot streak, the Maple Leafs are favored on the money line at -118. Toronto has experienced a slight dip in form recently, with a 1-2-1 record in their last four games. However, their home performance has been a significant strength, with the Maple Leafs winning seven of their last eight contests at Scotiabank Arena. Conversely, six of the Red Wings’ last eight defeats have occurred on the road, suggesting a vulnerability away from home ice. The SportsLine Projection Model leans heavily on Toronto’s home advantage, with its simulations indicating a Maple Leafs victory in 61% of scenarios, making their -118 money line a favored pick despite recent trends.

College Basketball: Undefeated Nebraska Hosts Washington

A busy college basketball schedule features a prominent Big Ten Conference showdown at 9 p.m. ET, as the No. 7 Nebraska Cornhuskers (18-0) host the Washington Huskies (10-8) at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska. The Cornhuskers are one of only three remaining undefeated teams in the nation, showcasing a dominant season thus far. Their perfect record includes impressive conference play, reflecting their high national ranking.

In stark contrast, the Washington Huskies have struggled to find consistency, entering the contest with a 10-8 record overall and a challenging 2-5 mark in conference play. The Huskies have lost four of their last five contests, highlighting a difficult stretch. Nebraska’s victories this season have frequently been decisive, with 10 of their 18 wins coming by a margin of 12 points or more, including three of their seven conference triumphs. Their recent performances further underscore this dominance, with a commanding 90-55 win over Oregon and a 77-58 victory against Northwestern in their last two outings.

Washington, while generally avoiding blowout losses, did suffer an 80-63 setback against then-No. 12 Michigan State in their most recent contest, marking one of only two losses by more than 11 points this season. Despite this, the Cornhuskers are significant 11.5-point favorites against Washington. The SportsLine Projection Model aligns with this expectation, forecasting another comfortable win for Nebraska and projecting them to cover the -11.5 spread (-111) in 57% of its simulations, underscoring their consistent ability to dominate opponents at home.

The day’s sports action offers a diverse array of contests, each with its own narrative and potential for upsets or reaffirmations of current trends.

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