NBA picks: Heat vs. Thunder, Nuggets vs. Clippers

As exciting as it has been, the NBA bubble will not last forever. The playoffs are imminent, and in truth, the approaching postseason has been what makes the bubble games as exciting as they are. With only a few days left, seeds are being set and Wednesday night’s matchups will further solidify which series we can expect to enjoy in the first round.

Four playoff-bound teams tangle tonight as the Miami Heat take on the Oklahoma City Thunder, and the Denver Nuggets clash with the Los Angeles Clippers. We have odds and picks for both games below.

Miami Heat vs. Oklahoma City Thunder

The Miami Heat have been one of the more entertaining teams in the restart. Yes, their record is just 3-3, but they've earned notable wins against Eastern Conference foes, Boston and Indiana. Miami looked especially impressive in shutting down bubble sensation T.J. Warren in its last game.

Jimmy Butler has returned from injury, and Goran Dragic and Kendrick Nunn are also back in the rotation. All three guards are fantastic players whose presence was missed, especially on offense. With the No. 3 seed now out of reach, and a destiny with the fifth-seeded Pacers in the first-round locked in, the Heat have little reason to exert maximum effort tonight with a foe they really have little history with.

The Thunder appear content with either the fifth or sixth seed, having sat multiple starters in their recent loss to the Phoenix Suns, but it wouldn't be shocking if Billy Donovan gives them all more minutes in this matchup. The Thunder have played the second best defense of all teams in the bubble, and will likely have more motivation to come away with a win.

NBA free pick: Thunder +3.5

Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Clippers

The Clippers have no chance at the No. 1 seed, and can wrap up their No. 2 seed with a win against the Nuggets in this primetime game. What should give bettors pause, however, is that star Kawhi Leonard has acknowledged that he doesn’t see any difference between the second and third seed.

The Clippers have been fairly efficient on offense, and nothing special on defense in the restart, with Patrick Beverly and Montrezl Harrell both sitting out multiple games, and Paul George resting against the Brooklyn Nets in L.A.'s last game.

The Nuggets, on the other hand, may not have much motivation to pass the Clippers and get themselves into the No. 2 seed in order to play the Dallas Mavericks in the first round. While the Nuggets would be easy favorites, they are just 1-2 against the Mavs this season, and may be a tougher matchup than the Utah Jazz, who the Nuggets are currently aligned to face if things stay as they are.

The Nuggets played a lot of reserves in the fourth quarter of their last game against the Los Angeles Lakers, and while some might argue it’s merely an attempt to give crunch-time minutes and create depth, the truth is these teams are likely content to coast home in their current positions.

The Nuggets are one of the deepest teams in the NBA, but in a game that doesn’t have the highest stakes I like the professionalism and chip-on-the-shoulder mentality of Clippers backups like Reggie Jackson, Marcus Morris, and Patrick Patterson.

NBA free pick: Clippers -5