NBA Wednesday Night - LeBron vs. Agent Zero and Knicks vs. Pacers

Finding a motivated team is gold for NBA betting. And there are a few teams playing with added purpose Wednesday night. Here are a few matchups on the schedule pitting rival teams against each other, and you can be sure these clubs will go all out and then some for the win.

Cleveland Cavaliers at Washington Wizards

The chess match on the floor between LeBron James and Gilbert Arenas is almost as entertaining as their war of words. These two vocal leaders have a history of verbal jabs, going back to the 2006 playoffs when LeBron whispered some trash talk into Arenas' ear before the Wizards star missed two crucial free throws.

These two rekindle their personal rivalry Wednesday. Cleveland Cavaliers took the first meeting between these two at the beginning of November, winning 102-90 as an 11.5-point home favorite. Arenas scored 22 points in that game on 7-of-18 shooting. James came through with a 27-point effort. That was the first time in the last five games that the Cavs covered against the Washington Wizards.

New York Knicks at Indiana Pacers

This classic 1990's rivalry doesn't have Reggie Miller or John Starks going at it. And chances are Spike Lee isn't making the trip to Conseco Fieldhouse on Wednesday. The Knicks and Indiana Pacers are two teams going in opposite directions. Heading into Tuesday's game with New Jersey, Indiana had won four straight games while covering in each contest, including a shocker over the Boston Celtics on Saturday.

New York Knicks is on a streak of its own, losing six games in a row while going just 1-5 against the NBA pointspreads in that span. The Knicks haven't been able to stop opponents, allowing more than 110 points per game this season. The return of oft-injured center Eddy Curry Wednesday will give New York some added beef in the paint. Curry hasn't touched the floor in about a year and a half after suffering numerous and sometimes bizarre injuries.

San Antonio Spurs at Dallas Mavericks

These two Southwestern Division teams prove everything is bigger in Texas – especially the rivalries. Dallas Mavericks sits atop the division after winning three straight games on the road last week. The Mavericks took a 115-113 overtime win against the resurgent Milwaukee Bucks on Monday, getting a game-winning shot from star forward Dirk Nowitzki. However, Dallas suffered a loss in that win when perimeter defender Shawn Marion rolled his ankle and had to leave the game. He is listed as questionable for Wednesday, leaving the Mavs without their top two small forwards while Josh Howard nurses an ankle injury that could keep him out for an extended period.

San Antonio Spurs hasn't won on the road yet this season, going 3-0 straight-up and against the spread. The Spurs were able to grab a win over the Mavericks at home last week, taking a 92-83 victory as 1.5-point home underdogs. They finally have stars Tim Duncan and Tony Parker back after both players missed time with ankle injuries. Richard Jefferson stepped up last time San Antonio faced Dallas, scoring 29 points, while Parker and Duncan watched from the sideline.