January 20, 2021 Picks:

College Basketball:

Providence at #11 Creighton (-9) - We had 11 games scheduled involving ranked teams, but 7 of them have been postponed due to Covid concerns with various programs. We still have four games, starting with the Friars at the Blue Jays. Providence is coming into this game having lost their last three. Creighton will make it four. The Blue Jays will cover, but barely. Pick: Creighton 80 Providence 70

#20 Clemson (-2) at Georgia Tech - Clemson is probably itching to get back on the court after their no show against Virginia over the weekend. The now face a Georgia Tech team that has won their last four games. This is the first game for the Yellow Jackets since January 3rd, so once again a question of rust will be there. We think that Clemson will win this game, and will cover. Pick: Clemson 68 Georgia Tech 63

Tulsa at #8 Houston (-12) - Houston has won four games in a row, and they have looked better and better as the season has gone on. Tulsa is the one team that has beat Houston this year, a 65-64 home victory. We like Houston to exact revenge, but to not cover the 12 point spread. Pick: Houston 72 Tulsa 63

Northwestern at #10 Wisconsin (-11.5) - Something tells us that the Wildcats are going to show up in this one. The have looked abysmal in losing five straight games, but they will come out ready to play today. It won’t be enough to beat Wisconsin, but it will be enough to cover the spread. Pick: Wisconsin 78 Northwestern 71

NBA:

Brooklyn (-10) at Cleveland - Kyrie Irving is still out for the Nets, but Brooklyn still has Kevin Durant and James Harden. That should be enough to cover this game against a Cavaliers team that only averages 99 points a game. Cleveland has Andre Drummond playing well, but that won’t do it against Brooklyn. Pick: Brooklyn 117 Cleveland 101

Dallas (-1.5) at Indiana - Dallas has lost three games in a row, and heads to Indiana to face a Pacers team that is trying to figure out their identity post Victor Oladipo. Indiana has played in one game since that trade, and it did not go well. We like the Mavericks to kick their losing streak and take out the Pacers. Pick: Dallas 115 Indiana 108

Boston at Philadelphia (-5) - Jayson Tatum is still out for the Celtics, and that will be a huge loss for Boston in this matchup. With the 76ers, you never know if Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid, will play, but we say today they will, and Philadelphia will win this game by more than five. Pick: Philadelphia 121 Boston 113

Detroit at Atlanta (-4.5) - Both of these teams are struggling right now, being 3-7 in their last ten games. The Hawks have Trae Young playing well, while the Pistons have Blake Griffin struggling. For us that will be enough for the Hawks to get the win here. Pick: Atlanta 112 Detroit 104

Miami at Toronto (-4) - The Raptors are finally playing like everyone thought they would, having won their last three games after that horrible start. Miami has been reeling a little bit, missing Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo in their last few games. Adebayo should be back but Butler is still out, and that is why the Raptors will come out on top here. Pick: Toronto 109 Miami 98

Orlando (-3.5) at Minnesota - One of these teams has to win. The Magic still haven’t won without Markelle Fultz, having lost six in a row, while Minnesota has won only once in their last seven. Orlando’s offense struggles to score, but Minnesota’s defense struggles to stop anyone. Will be a fascinating contrast of styles. We will go with the Magic to end their losing streak here. Pick: Orlando 108 Minnesota 101

Phoenix (-5.5) at Houston - The Rockets are still trying to gel after the James Harden trade, and they now face a Suns team that has lost two games in a row. Now that Christian Wood and Victor Oladipo have had a couple of days to practice together, we like Houston to not only cover, but win. Pick: Houston 114 Phoenix 109

San Antonio at Golden State (-1) - The Spurs have won of the best records against the spread in the NBA this year, with a 9-5 record. Now they are a one point underdog against the Warriors. We think Steph Curry will have a big game, but it won’t be enough as the Spurs get the win. Pick: San Antonio 112 Golden State 107

Sacramento at Los Angeles Clippers (-10) - These two teams played last week and it was a 138-100 laugher that went the Clippers way. Los Angeles is playing its best basketball of the season right now, so we don’t see why they won’t cover this game. Pick: Los Angeles Clippers 125 Sacramento 108

Memphis (-1) at Portland - This is a tough game for us to pick. On one hand you have Ja Morant and the Grizzlies, having won their last five games. On the other hand you have a Portland team, that doesn’t have CJ McCollum but still has Damian Lillard. The loss of McCollum will be too much for the Blazers to overcome as the Grizzlies get the win. Pick: Memphis 113 Portland 109

Happy picking everyone!