January 8, 2021 Picks:

College Basketball:

Purdue at #5 Michigan State (-5) - The only game of the day featuring a ranked team is this battle between the Spartans and Boilermakers. Both teams have underperformed from their lofty preseason goals, but Michigan State is still the better team. Plus this game is at the Breslin Center. Give me Sparty. Pick: Michigan State 74 Purdue 66

NBA:

Phoenix (-7) at Detroit - Phoenix is good. Detroit is not. The biggest problem for the Pistons is that they are allowing almost 120 points a game. Even in today’s NBA that is not good. Phoenix is flying high right now and that will continue today. Pick: Phoenix 122 Detroit 109

Washington at Boston (-5.5) - The Wizards are coming off a tough loss to the 76ers, where Bradley Beal went off for 60 points. Boston’s last game was a gritty 107-105 win over Miami with Peyton Pritchard hitting the game winning shot. We like the Celtics to cover in this one, although Bradley Beal is going to have another big game. Pick: Boston 118 Washington 110

Oklahoma City at New York (-2.5) - The New York Knicks are favored! That is something you don’t see every day. The Knicks are aiming for their fourth win in a row against a Thunder team still looking for an identity. Not only are the Knicks favored, but they are going to cover the spread. Pick: New York 107 Oklahoma City 101

Charlotte at New Orleans (-7) - This is the first NBA battle for Lonzo and LaMelo Ball. Lonzo is the better player and is on the better team. The Pelicans will win this game, the only question is by how much? New Orleans has played a lot of close games early, and that won’t change in this one. Charlotte covers. Pick: New Orleans 108 Charlotte 104

Orlando at Houston (-5.5) - The Magic are playing their first game without starting point guard Markelle Fultz. Fultz tore his ACL and is out for the remainder of the season. This is a good game for rookie Cole Anthony to get his first start, as the Rockets defense is terrible. We all know Houston can score, so this game will be a shootout, with Orlando not only covering but getting the win. Pick: Orlando 132 Houston 127

Brooklyn (-2) at Memphis - With Kevin Durant already sidelined, Kyrie Irving is set to miss his second game in a row for personal reasons. The Nets are coming off a huge win against the 76ers, but won’t have enough gas to keep up with the Grizzlies in this one. Pick: Memphis 108 Brooklyn 97

Utah at Milwaukee (-5) - A game in which the Bucks aren’t favored by double digits. Both teams allow 111 points a game, the difference is Milwaukee averages 17 points more on offense. Utah has a lot of veteran leadership but doesn’t have the firepower to match up with Milwaukee. Pick: Milwaukee 123 Utah 112

Los Angeles Clippers (-6.5) at Golden State - The Clippers didn’t cover when these two teams played two days ago. Today they will come out energized and ready to go. Golden State doesn’t have the horses to keep up with the Clippers two games in a row. Pick: Los Angeles Clippers 123 Golden State 113

Chicago at Los Angeles Lakers (-9.5) - The Bulls are playing better than we anticipated to start the season. The Lakers have been underperforming a bit, but are still a solid 6-3. The Lakers have one of the oldest rosters in the NBA and are playing the second night of a back to back. They will still win, but this spread is too large. Pick: Los Angeles Lakers 110 Chicago 105

Toronto (-5) at Sacramento - The Kings are not a great team, but why they are getting five points at home to this Toronto team is beyond us. Toronto has the worst record in the NBA right now. Kings not only cover, they win. Pick: Sacramento 114 Toronto 110

Happy picking everyone!