First to 15 NBA Odds & Picks: Target Grizzlies vs. Hornets, Nets vs. Bulls (January 4)

There are so many ways to bet an NBA game, but for those bettors who can't bear to sweat the full 48 minutes, there are other markets that offer more instant satisfaction. One of those markets is the Race to 15 Points. It's as simple as the name suggests: The first team to hit 15 points cashes the bet.

Last Friday, we targeted two home teams and both ended up being the first to 15. Tonight, we're going with two road teams that are trending up in this regard. Here are Wednesday's First to 15 NBA odds and picks.

Memphis Grizzlies vs. Charlotte Hornets

One of the early games of the night features two of the most exciting point guards in the NBA: Ja Morant of the Grizzlies and LaMelo Ball of the Hornets. While those two are certainly capable of bringing the excitement, this sets up as a mismatch in every other way as you look down the roster.

The Grizzlies are 7.5-point favorites in the game and 2.5-point favorites in the first quarter — hence the heavy juice on the Grizzlies to be the first to 15. It gets even more lopsided for the Hornets when you look at their numbers. Charlotte ranks last in the NBA in first quarter scoring (26.6) and 28th in point differential (-3.4), while the Grizz rank seventh and fourth in those categories respectively.

The Hornets are the fourth-worst team in the Race to 15 standings on their home floor, while the Grizzlies are the third-best road team. For the season, it has taken the Hornets over a minute longer on average to reach 15 points than the Grizzlies.

Again, this may seem like a ton of juice for a quick bet, but the Grizzlies should dominate early.

Pick: Grizzlies (-184)

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Brooklyn Nets vs. Chicago Bulls

The Nets are the hottest team in the NBA. They've won 12 straight games, are a half game behind the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference and they are rolling into Chicago to face a team that blew a 21-point lead and lost in overtime.

The Bulls will undoubtedly have a hangover from that loss and the Nets should take advantage early. For the season, the Bulls rank 22nd in first quarter scoring (29.0). The Nets, in their 12-game win streak, are averaging 33.3 points per game in the first quarter and outscoring opponents by 5.8 points in that span.

In their past 10 games, the Nets have cashed their Race to 15 bet in eight games, including their past six. They also crush on the road — second-best road team in Race to 15 standings (12-7). Conversely, the Bulls are average at home (10-8), so I expect the Nets to have the upper hand here.

The juice here is high as well, but I'll take the Nets with confidence.

Pick: Nets (-158)

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