January 8, 2021 | Posted in: Publishing
Published for a friend
Ten games scheduled
Phoenix @ Detroit (+8)
Charlotte @ New Orleans (-7)
Washington @ Boston (-4.5)
Oklahoma City @ New York Knicks (-2.5)
Utah @ Milwaukee (-5.5)
Orlando @ Houston (-6.5)
Brooklyn @ Memphis (-1)
Toronto @ Sacramento (+5)
Los Angeles Clippers @ Golden State (+6.5)
Chicago @ Los Angeles Lakers (-9.5)
Truths to be self evident
Last night, Luka Doncic showed when you’re struggling from three point range, keep shooting.
The Phoenix Suns, continuing to grow from their 8-0 impressive bubble performance over the summer face the Detroit Pistons coming off consecutive double digit losses to the Milwaukee Bucks. The Charlotte Hornets, fresh off beating Atlanta outright as six point underdogs, face the New Orleans Pelicans who could be without J.J. Redick.
The Washington Wizards face the Boston Celtics who lack depth in the front court due to COVID protocols. The Oklahoma City Thunder, outright winners as eight point underdogs two nights ago, face a New York Knicks team continuing to win outright and cover spreads. The Knicks have won three straight in games where they were an average eight point underdog and covered five of their last six games. What happens tonight when the Knicks are a favorite?
The struggling Jazz continue their road trip in Milwaukee against Giannis and company having suffered consecutive defeats at the hands of short handed Brooklyn and a Knicks team continuing to show they might be pretty good.
The Orlando Magic, winners of two in a row over the Cleveland Cavaliers, take on Fat James Harden and the Houston Rockets who are perhaps getting too much respect having lost three of four and covering one spread.
The Brooklyn Nets, mysteriously without Kyrie Irving who isn’t playing due to “personal reasons”, and Kevin Durant continued to show they can compete with an outright win over the Sixers last night, face the Memphis Grizzlies who should be faded until Ja Morant returns. I don’t think Memphis should be favored over anyone.
The Toronto Raptors, 1-6 on the season, and losers of three straight are somehow five point favorites in Sacramento. Sacramento could be without De’Aaron Fox and his status will certainly move the spread. The Clippers and Warriors play for the second time in three nights. Should we expect a different result than the Clippers seven point win in their last meeting?
Finally, the Chicago Bulls, winners of five of the last six against the spread, face the Los Angeles Lakers on the second night of a back to back.
The Computer
The Computer, whom we respect, went 2-3 against the spread last night, and a sizzling 4-1 on over/unders. Tonight, the computer likes underdogs Washington, Oklahoma City, Orlando, Brooklyn, Sacramento, and Chicago to all cover with Brooklyn winning outright.
Tonight’s predictions
Sacramento +5 and will take extra points if Fox ruled out
Los Angeles Clippers -6.5