January 29, 2021 Picks:

College Basketball:

#22 Saint Louis at Richmond (-1.5) - Saint Louis is back in action after playing their fist game in over a month on Tuesday, which was a 76-71 loss to Dayton. Richmond also had a long layover in January, so both of these teams are excited to be back on the court. Give us the Bilikens to beat the Spiders and get back in the win column. Pick: Saint Louis 73 Richmond 68

#7 Iowa at #19 Illinois (-2.5) - Another ranked matchup in the Big Ten, Iowa and Illinois square off in Champaign. Even though Illinois is ranked 19th, they haven’t been playing their best basketball lately. This is a team that can turn it on at a moments notice, but today they have to deal with the best player in College Basketball in Luka Garza. Give us the Hawkeyes. Pick: Iowa 82 Illinois 75

NBA:

Indiana (-3.5) at Charlotte - These two teams played two days ago and the Pacers got a ten point win. We don’t see any reason why today will be any different. Indiana is starting to find its groove after trading Victor Oladipo, so give us the Pacers, you can have the points. Pick: Indiana 113 Charlotte 107

Atlanta (-3.5) at Washington - If Trae Young wasn’t playing in this game we would still pick the Hawks to win by more than three against the Wizards. Since Young is playing, this is an easy pick for Atlanta. Honestly, this line feels like it is about five points too low, but we will take it. Pick: Atlanta 126 Washington 114

Cleveland (-1) at New York - The Knicks have lost three games in a row and have come back to Earth a little bit. They are still a solid defensive team, they just don’t have anyone that can score the basketball with consistency. Even though the Cavaliers have Collin Sexton, who is having a great year, we are going to go with the Knicks to win a close win. Pick: New York 105 Cleveland 102

Sacramento at Toronto (-5.5) - Even though the Raptors have dropped two games in a row, they are still playing better than they were at the start of the season. Now they face off against a Sacramento team that still allows over 120 points per game. Give us the Raptors to hit that 120 point mark and cover the spread. Pick: Toronto 123 Sacramento 111

Milwaukee (-7.5) at New Orleans - This seems like a big spread between two talented teams, but the Pelicans are not playing up to their talents right now. They are 2-8 in their last 10 games, and have yet to fully unleash Zion Williamson. They need to just let him run, not do whatever it is they are having him do right now. Give us the Bucks. Pick: Milwaukee 124 New Orleans 112

Los Angeles Clippers at Orlando (-3.5) - Once again Paul George and Kawhii Leonard are out for the Clippers, but this time they are playing a team that has its all star healthy. Nikola Vucevic will have a huge game for the Magic as they get the win against Los Angeles. Pick: Orlando 114 Los Angeles Clippers 105

Philadelphia at Minnesota (-7) - This line is not enough. You have the best team in the East against the worst team in the West. Philadelphia should have its full compliment of players against a Minnesota team counting down the days until Karl-Anthony Towns comes back. Give us the 76ers in a blowout. Pick: Philadelphia 128 Minnesota 109

Brooklyn (-9.5) at Oklahoma City - Kevin Durant and James Harden make their return to Oklahoma City as teammates as the Nets and Thunder square off in Oklahoma City. These two teams met a couple of weeks ago and the Thunder got the win, but that is before the James Harden trade. We like the Nets to get the win, but the Thunder to cover the spread. Pick: Brooklyn 127 Oklahoma City 121

Denver (-4) at San Antonio - Denver has won their last five games to move up the rankings in the Western Conference, while the Spurs have quietly had a solid start to their season. In addition to five straight games overall, the Nuggets have won four straight on the road. Both of those streaks end today. Pick: San Antonio 116 Denver 113

Dallas at Utah (-3.5) - How can anyone pick against the Jazz right now. Utah has won ten games in a row, with their last being a 116-104 victory over this same Dallas team. Give us the Jazz to make it 11 straight as they once again defeat Luka and the Mavericks. Pick: Utah 124 Dallas 116

Happy picking everyone!