January 12, 2021 Picks:
College Basketball:
#9 Wisconsin at #7 Michigan (-3.5) - Another matchup between two ranked Big Ten teams. Stop us if you have heard this before. Today the Badgers head to Ann Arbor to face a Michigan team that is playing its best basketball of the season. The Badgers needed two overtimes to beat Indiana in their last game, so they aren’t exactly firing at all cylinders. Give us the Wolverines minus the points in this one. Pick: Michigan 81 Wisconsin 73
Tennessee (-12.5) at Vanderbilt - Tennessee has won the last six games against Vanderbilt, and will make it seven today. The only question is will they cover. The Commodores have been playing close games in SEC play, but today that will change. Tennessee will pressure them defensively, leading to easy baskets and getting the big win. Pick: Tennessee 77 Vanderbilt 61
#19 Duke (-1.5) at #20 Virginia Tech - If Duke wasn’t the name on the front of the jersey this team would probably not be ranked. The Blue Devils have been uninspiring this season, but that might be because they took a long layoff in December. Duke has no business being favored in this one. We will take the Hokies. Pick: Virginia Tech 72 Duke 68
#6 Kansas (-3.5) at Oklahoma State - Oklahoma State is 0-2 vs ranked opponents in conference play, but both losses have been close. They lost to West Virginia and Texas by 3 points each, and now they face the Jayhawks. This time the Cowboys won’t be within three points, which means the Jayhawks will cover. Pick: Kansas 78 Oklahoma State 72
NBA:
Miami at Philadelphia (-7) - The 76ers are playing the second night of back to back games, aren’t fully healthy, and are getting seven points against a Miami team that should be almost at full strength. Something doesn’t add up here, but we will gladly take the seven points. Pick: Miami 108 Philadelphia 102
Denver at Brooklyn (Even) - Kyrie Irving is missing his fourth straight game but Kevin Durant is back for the Nets, who face the Nuggets at home today. The Nets have lost two in a row, and now face a Nuggets team that has won four of their last five. Denver is playing better than Brooklyn, so that is why they will get the win. Pick: Denver 116 Brooklyn 110
Utah (-10.5) at Cleveland - Cleveland lost by ten points to Memphis yesterday. Now they face a Utah team that has won two games in a row, including a victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. Utah continues to shoot the ball well and Cleveland will run out of gas. Pick: Utah 114 Cleveland 98
Los Angeles Lakers (-5.5) at Houston -This is a rematch of a game played two days ago, won by the Lakers 120-102. This game will be closer than that but will still be a cover for Los Angeles. Anthony Davis has snapped out his mini slump to pace the Lakers, while LeBron James keeps doing LeBron James things. Pick: Los Angeles Lakers 119 Houston 108
San Antonio (-2) at Oklahoma City - The Thunder have won three games in a row as they host the Spurs in Oklahoma City today. They went 4-1 on their eastern road trip and are playing good basketball. The Spurs are coming off a loss to the Timberwolves. The Thunder’s stingy defense will be the key here, as they will bottle up the Spurs and get the win. Pick: Oklahoma City 105 San Antonio 101
Indiana at Golden State (-3) - Stephen Curry is going to have a huge game here. After coming off of one of his worst performances as a professional, Curry won’t let that happen again. He will lead the Warriors to a victory over a Pacers team that will be resting Victor Oladipo. Pick: Golden State 118 Indiana 113
* Please note that the Boston Chicago game has been postponed because of Covid concerns.