January 4, 2021 | Posted in: Publishing
Published for a friend
Nine games scheduled
Charlotte Horners @ Philadelphia 76ers (-8.5)
Cleveland Cavaliers @ Orlando Magic (-5)
Oklahoma City Thunder @ Miami Heat (-9)
New York Knicks @ Atlanta Hawks (-6.5)
Boston Celtics @ Toronto Raptors (-4)
Dallas Mavericks @ Houston Rockets (-4)
Indiana Pacers @ New Orleans Pelicans (-1.5)
Detroit Pistons @ Milwaukee Bucks (-16)
Sacramento Kings @ Golden State Warriors (+2.5)
Truths to be self evident
Last night, Steph Curry dropped 62 on the Portland Trailblazers reminding us the NBA is quality entertainment. The Charlotte Hornets lost by 15 two nights ago to the 76ers yet are expected to cover eight tonight.
The Cavaliers are overrated coming off a win against a gassed Atlanta Hawks team while the Magic are underrated after losing two straight to the aforementioned 76ers and Oklahoma City Thunder
Atlanta looks to bounce back against the Knicks who covered nine points in their last outing against the Indiana Pacers. The Celtics are getting four points against the Toronto Raptors and are on a back to back, perhaps lowly rated in the eyes of the public after squeaking out a two point win yesterday against the Detroit Pistons.
The Oklahoma City Thunder are getting no respect and nine points in Miami who are fully healthy. The Mavericks and Rockets hook up in a game where Luka Doncic and James Harden are both expected to play while the Indiana Pacers continue without their best player, TJ Warren, for the foreseeable future facing a Pelicans team looking fairly strong out of the gate.
The Pistons, on a back to back, are getting a ridiculous 16 points against the Milwaukee Bucks while Golden State, also on a back to back, are getting no respect at home against the Kings even after Steph dropped 62 last night.
The Computer
The computer, whom we respect, perhaps more than we should, went 3-5 against the spread last night and ridiculously solid 6-2 on over/unders. To date, the computer is 42-47 against the spread and 48-40 on over/unders.
Tonight, the computer likes underdogs Cleveland, Oklahoma City, the Knicks, Boston, and Dallas to all cover the spread with Dallas winning outright.
Last night, the sharps went 4-2, losing on Memphis (+9), perhaps showing there’s nothing sharp about betting against LeBron James, and Minnesota (+8.5). Both Memphis and Minnesota were covering the spread deep into the fourth quarter but the favorites pulled away in the end.