Wednesday is the first full night of NBA action with 11 games, and I could come up with an interesting storyline from all of them. But I think clearly the marquee game is Minnesota at Miami because it's the Timberwolves debut of All-Star LaMelo Ball and the Heat debut of All-Star and former league MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. Bet on the NBA and more at BetMGM, where new users can get up to $1,500 in bonus bets: This is the first game of an ESPN doubleheader -- Warriors-Lakers is the late game, because of course it is -- with a 7:30 ET tip.
At -1.5 via DraftKings, Miami is taking 53% of bets but only 31% of handle. The very high total of 242.5 is taking a solid Under lean. Fans interested in NBA betting can keep up with NBA news and follow our experts to be prepared before wagering at any of the top sports betting apps.
Bet on NBA props and more at DraftKings and get $200 in bonus bets plus three free months of NBA League Pass: FanDuel SGP price: +134 (subject to change) In most offseasons, the biggest story would have been a two-time MVP like Antetokounmpo being traded to Miami along with very solid sixth man Bobby Portis Jr. for Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel'el Ware, Kasparas Jakucionis and a bunch of draft picks. Giannis became only the fourth player with multiple MVPs to switch teams before age 32 after Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Moses Malone and LeBron James. I'm not all that enthused about that trade, although you understand why the Heat had to go star-hunting after missing the playoffs last year for the first time since 2019.
That despite averaging a franchise-best 120.9 points per game, the second-highest average in the NBA. Bettors aren't all that enthused about it, either. For example, the Heat have a win total of 46.5 at BetMGM and no team is taking more Under win total money in the NBA (Pistons and Lakers are next).
That also could be because bettors not expecting Giannis to stay healthy, as he has reached 70 games once in the past seven seasons. He played a career-low 36 in 2025-26 and averaged 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game. Great numbers, but also his fewest across the board since at least 2017-18, although the Greek Freak did shoot a career-high 62.4% from the field.
Giannis, +1400 to win a third MVP, is set with an Over/Under PRA of 46.5 tonight for his debut. Since the Heat used nearly all of their major assets to get him, they otherwise just added around the edges, led by veteran guards Klay Thompson and Tim Hardaway Jr. Both can still sling it, as they were two of 22 players league-wide a season ago to make at least 200 three-pointers.
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