January 31, 2021 Picks:

College Basketball:

SMY at #6 Houston (-9.5) - With the way the Cougars are playing right now could anyone pick against them. Their closest game in the month of January has been seven points, and the only game that was decided by single digits. We expect that to continue and for the Cougars to beat the Mustangs by double digits. Pick: Houston 77 SMU 63

Michigan State at #13 Ohio State (-6) - We know the Spartans have not been playing good basketball lately. We also think six points is too big of a spread here. Give us the Spartans to cover the spread, but still lose the game as the Buckeyes continue their trajectory towards the top of the Big Ten. Pick: Ohio State 74 Michigan State 70

NBA:

Los Angeles Clippers (-9.5) at New York - Kawhii Leonard and Paul George are back for the Clippers, but they haven’t had that “what the hell happened here?” game in awhile. We think today will be that day, as the Knicks will not only cover, they will beat the Clippers. Pick: New York 111 Los Angeles Clippers 105

Utah (-2.5) at Denver - The Jazz put their 11 game winning streak on the line against Denver, and we are going to ride the Jazz wave until they lose. The Jazz have the best record in the NBA for a reason, as they have pair an efficient defense with a lethal offense. Give us the Jazz to win #12 in a row today. Pick: Utah 123 Denver 115

Philadelphia (-1.5) at Indiana - Joel Embiid might not play in this one, which is the only reason why the line is as small as it is. We like what the Pacers are doing, we just don’t think they have much of a shot in this one. Give us the 76ers with or without Embiid. Pick: Philadelphia 117 Indiana 109

Orlando at Toronto (-5.5) - Um…. what? Have people watched the Raptors play this season? There is no reason why Toronto should be this big of a favorite in this one. Give us the Magic to win, sending the Raptors home with their third straight loss. Pick: Orlando 108 Toronto 103

Brooklyn (-7) at Washington - The Wizards are a dumpster fire right now. They have lost four games in a row and have not been competitive in any of them. The Nets have won four in a row and are starting to look like the team everyone thought they would be when they traded for James Harden. Nets in a rout here. Pick: Brooklyn 133 Washington 112

Cleveland (-3) at Minnesota - Another line that is entirely too low. Not because Cleveland is a good team, but because Minnesota is that bad. We don’t know what we would do if the Timberwolves and Wizards played, as we constantly pick against both teams. Fortunately that isn’t the case today, and we will happily take the Cavaliers. Pick: Cleveland 124 Minnesota 105

Happy picking everyone!