January 23, 2021 Results:

What we got right:

College Basketball:

#7 Michigan at Purdue - This game didn’t have the offensive output that we expected, but we did Michigan to cover the four points and did they ever. The Wolverines held the Boilermakers to 30% shooting in the game and only two made three point baskets. We all know that Michigan’s offense is outstanding. If their defense starts playing this way. Watch out.

NBA:

Chicago at Charlotte - Zach LaVine and the Chicago Bulls continue to play solid basketball, this time dispatching the Hornets 123-110. LaVine had 25 points and 9 assists in the victory for the Bulls, while Gordon Hayward had 34 points in the loss for the Hornets. Charlotte was undone by its abysmal shooting behind the three point line, making only 7 of 32 shots from beyond the arc.

Boston at Philadelphia -Different night same result. For the second time in three nights Joel Embiid could not be stopped. The 76ers center had 38 points and 11 rebounds in the 122-110 win over the Celtics. Jaylen Brown scored 42 points in the loss for Boston, but didn’t have enough help. He can’t wait for Jayson Tatum to return.

Atlanta at Minnesota - Trae Young is so good. Yes, you probably all know that but it bears repeating. Trae Young is so good. The Hawks star had 43 points and made eight three point baskets in leading the Hawks to a 116-98 win. Clint Capela had a triple double in this game, with 13 points, 19 rebounds, and 10 blocks. Minnesota continues to look lost, and that won’t change soon.

Dallas at San Antonio - We nailed this game. These two teams are similar but the Mavericks have Luca Doncic and the Spurs don’t. Doncic was one rebound shy of another triple double in the 122-117 win. DeMar DeRozan did his best Doncic impersonation with 28 points, but San Antonio fell just short.

Denver at Phoenix - It took overtime in this one, but the Nuggets got the hard fought 130-126 win over the Suns in Phoenix. Nikola Jokic had 31 points, and had plenty of help as all five Nuggets starters scored in double figures. Chris Paul had 11 points and 15 assists, but it wasn’t enough as the Suns fall to 8-6. Denver improves to 8-7 with the win.

What we got wrong:

College basketball:

Nothing. Kind of nice when there is only one game.

NBA:

Houston at Detroit - Christian Wood didn’t play and Victor Oladipo struggled from the field, but the Rockets still held on for the 103-102 win over the Pistons. Seven players scored in double figures for Houston, who won for the first time since trading James Harden. Jerami Grant scored 21 points for the Pistons, but his layup that would have won the game came after the clock expired, giving the win to the Rockets.

Orlando at Indiana - Malcom Brogdon led the Pacers with 23 points, and hit the decisive three pointer with three seconds left in overtime to give Indiana the 120-118 win. Myles Turner and Jeremy Lamb both chipped in with 22 points, leading a balanced Pacers offensive output. Evan Fournier led the way with 26 points and 9 assists for the Magic, who covered the spread but couldn’t get the win.

Brooklyn at Cleveland - Kevin Durant sat out in this game, and the Cavaliers beat the Nets for the second straight time, 125-113. Brooklyn still has issues defensively, and if they want to be considered a contender will have to shore things up on that end. We all know they can score, but giving up 125 points to the Cavaliers has to raise some eyebrows.

Miami at Toronto - This was a game that reminded us of Raptors’ teams of the past few years. They completely suffocated the Heat on the defensive end, out rebounded them 55-39, and held the Heat to their lowest offensive output of the season. This will probably come back to bite us, but it looks like the Raptors are finally playing like everyone thought they would.

Oklahoma City at Los Angeles Clippers - The line was 13.5. The Clippers won by 14, 120-106. So close! Los Angeles won its sixth game in a row while Oklahoma City dropped its second straight game. Paul George and Kawhi Leonard combined for 60 points in this game, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander once again was the catalyst for the Thunder, dropping 30 points. He just didn’t have a sidekick that could help him keep up with the Clippers.

New York at Sacramento - For the first half it was looking like this was going to be a win. The Knicks had a five point lead at the break, but scored only 40 points in the second half in losing to the Kings 103-94. Neither team played well in this game, but Sacramento played a little better in halting their four game losing streak.