January 1, 2021 Results:

What we got right:

College Football:

VRBO Citrus Bowl: Auburn vs #14 Northwestern - This game went exactly how we thought it would go. Northwestern wore the Auburn defense down and dominated the second half, winning 35-19. Northwestern’s defense wore down Bo Nix and held the Auburn rushing attack to only 61 yards. Good season for the Wildcats and they will be a team to watch next year.

Rose Bowl Game presented by Capital One: #4 Notre Dame vs #1 Alabama - 19.5 points was too big of a spread in this game, but just barely. Notre Dame scored a touchdown with 56 seconds left to cover the spread. DeVonta Smith scored three touchdowns and Najee Harris had 125yards rushing, including one of the greatest hurdles you will ever see from a football player. Alabama will be in the National Championship game on Monday, January 11th.

Allstate Sugar Bowl: #3 Ohio State vs #2 Clemson - Well that was a dismantling. The score was 14-14 after the first quarter and then Ohio State turned on the jets. The outscored the Tigers 21-0 in the second quarter and never looked back. The prediction of 28 points for Clemson was right on the money, but Ohio State beat our prediction before halftime. A win is a win and we will take it!. The Buckeyes will meet the Crimson Tide in the National Championship game on the 11th of January.

NBA

Miami at Dallas - Jimmy Butler did play 27 minutes in this game, but he only scored two points and didn’t hit a field goal. Meanwhile, Luka had 27 points, 15 rebounds, and seven assists as the Mavericks had this game in hand from the opening tip. Miami outscored Dallas by ten in the fourth quarter and still lost 93-83, so this game was not as close as the score indicates.

Washington at Minnesota - Congratulations to the Washington Wizards on their first win of the season. Bradley Beal scored 31 points in the 130-109 win for the Wizards against Minnesota. The Timberwolves are struggling without Karl Anthony Towns, who is out indefinitely.

Los Angeles Clippers at Utah - Sure enough, the Clippers fell back to earth after two good performances. They outscored the Jazz by 13 points in the fourth quarter, but it wasn’t enough as they fall 106-100. The player of the game for Utah was Mike Conley, who hit seven threes and had 33 points. Solid bet the Clippers next game will be a win.

Portland at Golden State - The Blazers had a comfortable lead throughout the game, led by the two headed monster of Damian Lilliard and CJ McCollum. Lilliard and McCollum combined for 62 points in a 123-98 win. I don’t think there is a question that these two are the best guard tandem in the NBA. If someone else is better please let me know.

What we got wrong:

College Football:

Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl: #9 Georgia vs #8 Cincinnati - Predicted the Bulldogs would win, but thought it would be by more. Honestly, they got lucky to get the win as the Bearcats clock management at the end of the game was abhorrent. Twice they snapped the ball with ten seconds left on the play clock when they had the lead. I think if they run it down they win the game. Good season for the Bearcats, but they will wonder what would have happened had they managed the clock correctly.

NBA:

Memphis at Charlotte - Who needs Ja Morant when you have balanced scoring like the Grizzlies had in this one. Dillon Brooks had 21 points for Memphis, leading six teammates in double figures. Lamelo Ball scored 15 points, but went only 6-14 from the field. The Hornets need more from their third overall pick if they are to win down the road.

Boston at Detroit - Not only did the Celtics fail to cover the 9.5 point spread, the lost the game 96-93. They dug themselves a huge hole in the first quarter, trailing 27-12 at the end of the frame. They got it close a couple of times, but couldn’t get over the hump as the Pistons get their first win of the season.

Atlanta at Brooklyn - Another favorite that went down, this one had the Nets falling to the Hawks, 114-96. All five starters scored in double figures for the Hawks, which was needed because they only got ten bench points in this one. Kevin Durant did his job, scoring 28 points, but it wasn’t enough as the Nets fall to 3-3 while the Hawks continue to be an early season surprise at 4-1.

Chicago at Milwaukee - This is what we get for thinking that the Knicks beating the Bucks might start a trend. Milwaukee went 20-30 (!!) from three tonight as they got the 30 point win, 126-96. Nine different players hit a three for the Bucks, who are scintillating hot from beyond the arc right now.

Los Angeles Lakers at San Antonio - Well apparently San Antonio playing at home is worth eight points. After losing by 14 to the Lakers in Los Angeles two nights earlier, they only lost by six in this one. Anthony Davis finally had his breakout game, scoring 34 points in the 109-103 victory.

Phoenix at Denver - Phoenix continues to surge and Denver continues to struggle. With the 106-103 win, the Suns improved to 5-1, while dropping the Nuggets to 1-4. Chris Paul continues to defy age as he had 21 points and six assists in the win.