January 27, 2021 Picks:

College Basketball:

Miami at #16 Florida State (-11) - The Seminoles have won four straight games and are now a big favorite against a Miami team that has dropped two in a row. All four of Florida States wins during this winning streak have been by double digits. We don’t see any reason why they can’t make it five in a row here. Pick: Florida State 82 Miami 68

Penn State at #13 Ohio State (-8) - Penn State has won their last two games against fellow Big Ten bottom feeders Northwestern and Rutgers. This is a much tougher test for the Nittany Lions. Ohio State is coming off its best game of the season, a 74-62 win over Wisconsin. We like the Buckeyes to win and cover in this one. Pick: Ohio State 83 Penn State 71

#17 Creighton (-1.5) at Seton Hall - Creighton got a win in its last game to stop a two game losing streak, and now heads to New Jersey to face Seton Hall. The Pirates last game was a two point nail biter against Villanova, and we think that today they will get over the hump. Give us Seton Hall in a mini upset. Pick: Seton Hall 76 Creighton 72

#20 Virginia Tech (Even) at Notre Dame - The fact that this game is a pick’em astounds us. Yes, Virginia Tech looked horrible in its last game. Yes, Notre Dame has won two in a row. That doesn’t mean that the Fighting Irish are on the same level as the Hokies. In our easiest pick of the day, give us Virginia Tech. Pick: Virginia Tech 77 Notre Dame 70

Kansas State at #2 Baylor (-24) - This is a huge line, and we don’t know which way to go. Kansas State has been terrible this season, losing six straight games and not being competitive in any of them. Baylor is Baylor, and has been blowing teams out all year long. We think that the Bears are going to win by a lot, but not by 24. Pick: Baylor 88 Kansas State 68

#14 Wisconsin (-3) - at Maryland - This game all depends on which Maryland team will show up. Is it going to be the team that beat Minnesota and Illinois, are the team that lost to Michigan and Iowa by over 20 points. We believe that it will be the latter, and the Badgers will get a comfortable win. Pick: Wisconsin 74 Maryland 66

#25 Louisville at Clemson (-1.5) - With the way Clemson has played in the last three games, they shouldn’t be favored over anybody, especially not a ranked a Louisville team. This game is also an easy pick for us. Pick: Louisville 73 Clemson 66

NBA:

Indiana (-2) at Charlotte - To us the big question is if Domantas Sabonis is going to play for the Pacers. He is listed as day-to-day, but we don’t think he is going to go in this one. Without him manning the paint, expect Devonte Graham to have a big game for the Hornets. We like Charlotte in this one. Pick: Charlotte 114 Indiana 109

Detroit at Cleveland (-3) - The Cavaliers have come back down to earth after their two wins over Brooklyn last week, dropping two straight. Now they face a Detroit team that usually plays close games, but is just 4-13. We like this one to be another close game, with Cleveland just covering the spread by two points. Pick: Cleveland 108 Detroit 103

Sacramento at Orlando (-1.5) - Sacramento’s defense has been historically bad this year. They are giving up over 120 points a game, and that is the main reason why they are 6-10. Orlando doesn’t have much offensive firepower, but against the Kings everyone does. We like Orlando in this game. Pick: Orlando 119 Sacramento 113

Brooklyn (-6) at Atlanta - Atlanta is playing the second game of a back to back and now faces a rested Nets team that will have all three of its stars available. The Hawks will keep this game close for a half, but Brooklyn’s high flying offense will come alive after the break and will lead the team to a double digit victory. Pick: Brooklyn 124 Atlanta 112

Denver (-5.5) at Miami - Miami is still severely undermanned, and now faces a Nuggets team that has won four straight games. Denver is starting to play like we all knew they could, averaging 117 points per game. Miami usually wins games with defense, but with no Jimmy Butler, that defense takes a big hit. Pick: Denver 118 Miami 110

Los Angeles Lakers (-3.5) at Philadelphia - The two teams leading their respective conferences face off when the Lakers and 76ers play in Philly. The Lakers are undefeated on the road this year and the 76ers have only lost once at home. One of those has to give today, and we are going to say the Lakers stay perfect away from Staples Center. Pick: Los Angeles Lakers 124 Philadelphia 119

Milwaukee (-6.5) at Toronto - Every time we think that the Raptors are going to come out and play like they want to make the playoffs, they lay an absolute egg. The Bucks are still the class of the Eastern Conference in our opinion, and will show it today. Pick: Milwaukee 126 Toronto 111

Boston (-4) at San Antonio - Boston is coming off two straight dominating performances, and now heads to San Antonio to face a Spurs team looking to defend its home court. With the way the Celtics have played in the last week, we can’t pick against them. They won’t win by 38 like they did against Cleveland, but they will win by more than four. Pick: Boston 116 San Antonio 108

Washington at New Orleans (-7.5) - Two of the worst teams in the NBA play as the Pelicans host the Wizards. Bradley Beal will get his 30 points and Russell Westbrook will flirt with a triple double, and we like the Wizards to get the win here. New Orleans has not been good lately, going 2-8 in its last ten games. We think that continues. Pick: Washington 104 New Orleans 99

Oklahoma City at Phoenix (-7.5) - Phoenix is coming off of back to back overtime losses to the Nuggets, but have had extra rest as the Thunder play the second game of a back to back. That is why the line is as big as it is. We like the Suns to get back in the win column, but they won’t cover the spread. Pick: Phoenix 112 Oklahoma City 108

Dallas at Utah (-3.5) - The Jazz put their nine game winning streak on the line against Luca and the Mavericks, and we think the streak will stretch to ten. Doncic will get his numbers, but he won’t have enough help. The Jazz will have a balanced effort, with at least six players score in double figures. Pick: Utah 123 Dallas 117

Minnesota at Golden State (-9) - These two teams played two night ago and the Warriors wiped the floor with the Timberwolves, 130-108. Now they square off again and we think the same result is coming. Minnesota needs something to change, and until it does, they will remain the doormat of the Western Conference. Pick: Golden State 127 Minnesota 113

Happy picking everyone!