January 25, 2021 Picks:

College Basketball:

Syracuse at #13 Virginia (-7) - Virginia puts its six game winning streak on the line in an ACC battle against Syracuse on Monday night. The Cavaliers are once again winning with defense, holding opponents to under 60 points a game on average. Syracuse looked good against Virginia Tech on Saturday, but faces a much stiffer test here. Give us the Cavaliers to once again put the clamps on defensively, and cover the seven point spread. Pick: Virginia 72 Syracuse 60

#12 Texas Tech at #14 West Virginia (-1.5) - This is going to be a major contrast of styles. You have Texas Tech, who likes to get out and run against a West Virginia team that plays very physical defense. This game is going to come down to who can make the plays at the end, and we believe that will be the Red Raiders. Give us Texas Tech in a close one. Pick: Texas Tech 74 West Virginia 72

NBA:

Philadelphia (-6.5) at Detroit - The 76ers and Pistons played two nights ago, with Philadelphia hanging on for the 114-110 win. Now they lace them up again in Detroit, and we believe the margin for victory will be much greater. The day of rest helped the 76ers more than the Pistons, as Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons need the extra rest. With that day of rest, expect them to fire on all cylinders here. Pick: Philadelphia 122 Detroit 112

Toronto at Indiana (-2) - These two teams played yesterday and the Raptors won 107-102. With injuries to Kyle Lowry and Pascal Siakam, even if they are back today, how effective will they be? That is why we are going with the Pacers to to get back on track with the win today. Pick: Indiana 109 Toronto 103

Charlotte at Orlando (-1) - Another rematch of a game played yesterday, the Hornets and Magic lace them up again today. The Hornets won a close one yesterday, and we believe they will get it done again today. Gordon Hayward is playing some of the best basketball of his career, and will lead Charlotte to its third straight win. Pick: Charlotte 109 Orlando 104

Miami at Brooklyn (-7.5) - The Nets and Heat are also playing their second game in a row, but these two teams met on Saturday, not Sunday. The big question about Brooklyn has been about their defense, and until they hold someone under 120 points we tend to agree. We feel like the Nets will win, but not cover the7.5 point spread against the Heat. Pick: Brooklyn 128 Miami 123

Los Angeles Lakers (-10.5) at Cleveland - The Cavaliers lost by 38 points yesterday and now get to face the best team in the NBA today. With Kevin Love still out, Cleveland will have to go through Andre Drummond and Colin Sexton today. Will that be enough against Anthony Davis and LeBron James? Absolutely not. Lakers win big. Pick: Los Angeles Lakers 125 Cleveland 104

Denver (-1.5) at Dallas - You got Jokic vs Doncic today as the Nuggets and Mavericks battle in Dallas. Denver’s last two games were both overtime affairs against Phoenix, and they won them both. Now they get a Mavericks team coming off a 25 point loss to the new look Rockets. Give us Denver in a high scoring affair. Pick: Denver 132 Dallas 127

Boston (-5) at Chicago - Boston has to be flying high after that 38 point win over Cleveland, and as an added bonus they are expected to get Jayson Tatum back today. We were going to with the Celtics without Tatum, but with him it is an even easier pick. Pick: Boston 119 Chicago 107

San Antonio at New Orleans (-3) - Yes, the Spurs are playing the second night of a back to back, but did anyone see the way New Orleans played against Minnesota? That was one of the worst efforts we have seen this season. The Spurs should be favored by three, not the other way around. This is an easy pick for us. Pick: San Antonio 114 New Orleans 107

Minnesota at Golden State (-8) - Speaking of the Timberwolves, they look to win their second in a row against the Warriors in Golden State. Both teams allow about 115 points a game. The difference is the Warriors score four points per game more. We are going to with Stephen Curry and the Warriors to send Minnesota back to their losing ways. Pick: Golden State 126 Minnesota 115

Oklahoma City at Portland (-5.5) - Both of these teams are playing the second game of a back to back, and the Thunder are trying to halt a three game losing streak. It won’t happen here, as Damian Lillard and the Trail Blazers come out on top and win their second in a row. Pick: Portland 114 Oklahoma City 102

Happy picking everyone!