January 22, 2021 Picks:
College Basketball:
#7 Michigan (-4) at Purdue - Michigan bounced back nicely from their first loss of the season, beating Michigan earlier this week. Purdue is also playing good basketball, having won four games in a row. We think the Wolverines have too much firepower and will cover the four point spread. Pick: Michigan 87 Purdue 80
NBA:
Chicago at Charlotte (-3) - The Bulls have won two games in a row and now head to Charlotte to face a Hornets team that has dropped three straight. With the way the Bulls are playing right now, we are picking Chicago to keep their win streak alive. Pick: Chicago 117 Charlotte 111
Houston at Detroit (-4) - Houston has not looked good since it traded James Harden. Detroit has not looked good all season. Both of these teams are at the bottom of their respective conferences, and while we like the talent for Houston more, not having Christian Wood is a big blow. We are going to go with the Pistons to cover the four points in this one. Pick: Detroit 124 Houston 116
Orlando at Indiana (-4) - Orlando finally got a win in its last game, their first with Cole Anthony as the starting point guard. Anthony hit a three pointer at the buzzer to beat the Timberwolves. Now the Magic face an Indiana team shuffling the deck after trading Victor Oladipo. Even though they don’t have Caris LeVert, we are still riding with the Pacers in this one. Pick: Indiana 114 Orlando 107
Brooklyn (-7) at Cleveland - These two teams played a double overtime classic two nights ago, and now go for round two tonight. The big three of Harden, Durant, and Irving will not let the Nets lose a second game in a row to the Cavaliers. Expect the Nets to win big in this one. Pick: Brooklyn 126 Cleveland 109
Boston at Philadelphia (-5) - Another rematch of a game played two nights ago, the 76ers and Celtics square off in Philadelphia tonight. Boston had no answer for Joel Embiid in that one, and we feel like it will be the same in this game. Embiid will have a huge game and Philadelphia will once again cover. Pick: Philadelphia 126 Boston 116
Miami at Toronto (-2.5) - We are so confused with this Raptors team. Whenever we think they are turning the corner, they fall flat on their face. They lost to a Miami team two nights ago that was missing four of its key players. While we don’t know if all of them will be back, we will still ride with the Heat to once again beat Toronto. Pick: Miami 113 Toronto 108
Atlanta (-6) at Minnesota - Minnesota is 1-9 in their last ten games, including a 108-97 loss to these Atlanta Hawks on Monday. The Timberwolves are a total mess right now, and that won’t change until Karl-Anthony Towns is back. Since he isn’t playing today, give us the Hawks. Pick: Atlanta 121 Minnesota 105
Dallas (-2) at San Antonio - These two teams are very similar. Their records are within a half game of each other, their points per games averages are on par with each other, and they are very familiar with each other. In circumstances like that give us the team that has the best player. That is Luca Doncic for the Mavericks. Pick: Dallas 111 San Antonio 106
Denver at Phoenix (-1.5) - We are surprised the Suns are favored here. Sure, Phoenix has been playing good basketball this year, but so have the Nuggets. We like Denver to go on the road and take home the win. Pick: Denver 110 Phoenix 105
Oklahoma City at Los Angeles Clippers (-13.5) - This is a classic Clippers won’t cover opportunity. Los Angeles has been playing great the last couple weeks and the Thunder don’t have anyone that can score. On paper this looks like a blowout for the Clippers. That is why we don’t play games on paper. Pick: Los Angeles 108 Oklahoma City 102
New York at Sacramento (-4) - Now the Knicks are playing the second night of a back to back. Last night they beat the Warriors, and tonight they face a Kings team that has lost four games in a row. We like the way New York is playing right now, so we are going with the Knicks to win both games of a back to back. Pick: New York 107 Sacramento 101
Happy picking everyone!