January 10, 2021 | Posted in: Publishing
Published for a friend
Eight games scheduled
Utah @ Detroit (+7.5)
Chicago @ Los Angeles Clippers (-11.5)
Oklahoma City @ Brooklyn (-9)
Denver at New York Knicks (+6.5)
Miami @ Boston (+6)
Los Angeles Lakers @ Houston (+3)
San Antonio @ Minnesota (+3.5)
Toronto @ Golden State (+3)
Truths to be self evident
Last night, the Philadelphia 76ers showed there’s no such thing as easy money in Vegas. The Nuggets were 13.5 favorites because the Sixers were missing half their team due to COVID protocols and the Nuggets failed to cover. There’s a reason Vegas sports books made a record $54 million dollars on a half billion dollars wagered on sporting events.
The Utah Jazz continue their road trip in Detroit where the spread continues to grow requiring Utah to cover more points. The Chicago Bulls, getting no respect, are double digit underdogs to the Los Angeles Clippers. Cleveland was a double digit underdog until Giannis was ruled out. Cleveland would have covered double digits as they lost by 10.
Oklahoma City, fresh off a win agains the Knicks, play Brooklyn expected to return Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant. Irving doesn’t want to play without Durant because he has to work too hard. Irving showed in Boston he can’t carry the weight and obviously Irving isn’t even going to try. There will be times Brooklyn rests Durant and Irving because the rest together. This is when the Nets will have value.
Denver plays the Knicks who failed to cover the spread as a first time favorite this season against the Jazz in their last game. Miami and Boston have a rematch with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown in question. Plus, Boston is still missing front court depth due to COVID protocols.
The Lakers play the Rockets and Fat James Harden with the spread hanging around three because LeBron James and Anthony Davis are questionable every game. San Antonio and Minnesota play on consecutive nights with last night seeing the return of Karl Anthony Townes. Will he rest on a back to back?
Finally, the Toronto Raptors, who finally won their second game, play in the bay against Steph Curry and company.
The Computer
The computer, whom we respect, went a paltry 1-7 against the spread but a dominating 6-2 on over/unders. Correctly predicting a Phoenix outright win carries weight outside the actuals. For example, there have been instances of the computer predicting the score of a NBA game. Far more instances of correctly predicting one team’s score. Instances of correctly predicting the total points in an NBA game. These instances add validity to the predictions.
Tonight’s predictions
Detroit +8, Detroit outright
Chicago +12.5, Chicago outright
Golden State +3, Golden State outright
These teams are getting no respect.