January 6, 2021 | Posted in: Publishing
Published for a friend
Eleven games scheduled
Houston Rockets @ Indiana Pacers (-2)
Washington Wizards @ Philadelphia 76ers (-6.5)
Cleveland Cavaliers @ Orlando Magic (-5.5)
Boston Celtics @ Miami Heat (-3)
Charlotte Hornets @ Atlanta Hawks (-6)
Utah Jazz @ New York Knicks (+7.5)
Oklahoma City Thunder @ New Orleans Pelicans (-7.5)
Detroit Pistons @ Milwaukee Bucks (-12)
Toronto Raptors @ Phoenix Suns (-3)
Chicago Bulls @ Sacramento Kings (-7)
Los Angeles Clippers @ Golden State Warriors (+1.5)
Truths to be self evident
Last night, the Brooklyn Nets were a big win showing spreads over reacting to the news of one player being out. Yet, one player being out for the Clippers resulted in an outright win for the underdog Spurs.
The Rockets play Indiana and will be short handed. The Philadelphia 76ers look to improve on their impressive start against the Washington Wizards who don’t play defense. The Cleveland Cavaliers rematch for the second time in three days agains the Orlando Magic who could return one of their best players Evan Fournier.
The Boston Celtics, fresh off a blow out win over the Toronto Raptors in a game seeing a forty point swing, face the Miami Heat in a rematch of the eastern conference finals from three months ago. The Charlotte Hornets, fresh off consecutive double digit losses to the 76ers face the Atlanta Hawks who aren’t the same team without Rajon Rondo.
The Utah Jazz, on a back to back after last night’s embarrassment at the hands of the short handed Brooklyn Nets, face a Knicks team doing just one thing … covering spreads. The Oklahoma City Thunder, one of the worst teams in the NBA, and certainly the worst team in the west, face the New Orleans Pelicans who seem to excelling in defense and a slower pace under their new head coach.
The Detroit Pistons are again double digit underdogs to the Milwaukee Bucks, fresh off covering 16 points two nights ago. Toronto is reeling facing a Phoenix Suns team building off their impressive bubble performance while the Chicago Bulls, winners outright in Portland last night, are getting no respect on the back to back in Sacramento as nearly eight point dogs.
Finally, the Clippers, expected to be without Kawhi Leonard and possibly Paul George, travel to the bay and face Steph Curry and the Warrior who have been lighting up the scoreboard the past three games.
The Computer
The computer, whom we respect, went 3-2 against the spread and 2-3 on over/unders. Particularly impressive was the computer predicting Memphis, San Antonio, and Chicago to all cover.
Tonight, the computer likes underdog Houston, Boston, Toronto, and Chicago to all cover with the Rockets and Fat James Harden winning outright.
A note about the Computer’s A Rating … a 63% win rate. So far this season, A Ratings have a win percentage of 42.8. There’s opportunity, perhaps, depending on your level of respect for the computer. Tonight, the computer’s A ratings are currently over 229.5 in Bulls/Kings game and the Los Angeles Clippers -1.5 against Golden State. However, certainly the Clippers rating will change once Leonard’s and George’s status becomes clear.
Tonight’s picks:
Charlotte +6 + outright
Orlando -5.5