NEW ORLEANS PELICANS AT UTAH JAZZ
January 19th – 9:00 pm ET – Vivint Smart Home Arena
The New Orleans Pelicans have had a lot of hype around them this season, hoping that Zion Williamson can stay healthy throughout the campaign. When he is available, he is a beast and a force to be reckoned with for any defense to try and stop. He is a motivated and talented young player that nobody wants to play against.
The Utah Jazz are no joke though, as they have been one of the elite teams in the entire NBA early on. They’ve won seven of their first 11 games this year and will be looking to keep the good times rolling against the Pelicans at the Vivint Smart-Home Arena. They have been very good on home court and expect that to be the case in this affair as well.
Go with Utah to pick up another big win, with the over also worth backing as well.
PICKS: Utah
Over
ODDS: Pelicans +6 (-110) / Jazz -6 (-110)
BOSTON CELTICS AT PHILADELPHIA 76ERS
January 20th – 7:00 pm ET – Wells Fargo Center Philadelphia
Both the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers have been a real treat to watch early on in the NBA season. They both came into the campaign with high expectations and have managed to live up to them so far.
This will be the first game between these two Eastern Conference rivals this season, but the two did meet in the preseason with the 76ers winning 108-99.
Wednesday’s contest will be an opportunity for both sides to send a signal of intent to the rest of the league that they mean business. Expect to see top defense on display as neither team will want to be shown up. Philadelphia has looked good at the Wells Fargo Center this season though and should be able to prevail with a tight victory over the Celtics. The under should also be worth laying money on.
PICKS: Philadelphia
Under
SACRAMENTO KINGS AT LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS
January 20th – 10:00 pm ET – Staples Center
The Los Angeles Clippers are still trying to erase the nightmare of last season’s disappointing playoff exit in the second round to the Denver Nuggets. They are looking to prove the doubters wrong, with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George looking to bring a first NBA title to the Clippers’ organization.
The Sacramento Kings aren’t a terrible team, but they will struggle against the league’s best and on Wednesday they will be locking horns against a top side. This will be the first time this season that these two teams will be playing against each other so it will be interesting to see how they match up.
The Clippers have been better at home than on the road and will be looking forward to their date against the Kings. Back the Clippers to win big at the Staples Center, with the over also worth laying money on as well.
PICKS: Los Angeles
Over
DALLAS MAVERICKS AT TORONTO RAPTORS
January 18th – 7:30 pm ET – Amalie Arena
The Toronto Raptors have been a big surprise early in the season, but for all the wrong reasons. Toronto has been terrible to begin the campaign with a lot of questions being asked of Pascal Siakam. The team lost Kawhi Leonard last season, but didn’t regress too much as they were a game away from the Eastern Conference final.
The Raptors are still not allowed to play games in Toronto due to the federal government keeping the boarder closed, which could be affected the squad more than they are letting on. Either way, the Dallas Mavericks will be looking to take full advantage of the situation when these two sides meet on Monday evening.
Dallas hasn’t gotten off to the hottest start, but remain as dangerous as ever with the likes of Luka Doncic leading the way. Go with the visitors to take out a struggling Raptors’ side.
PICKS: Dallas
ODDS: Mavericks +4 (-109) / Raptors -4 (-112)
WINNER: Raptors
GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS AT LOS ANGELES LAKERS
January 18th – 10:00 pm ET – Staples Center
The Golden State Warriors have been decent despite still missing Klay Thompson who is expected to be out for the entire campaign. Steph Curry has looked like he is back to his old self though, proving he still has the ability to take over and dominate a game with his shooting.
The Warriors will be in tough on Monday evening against the Los Angeles Lakers though as the defending NBA champions remain as dangerous as ever. Lebron James continues to be one of the best players in the league, regardless of the fact he just turned 36-years-old in December.
Golden State is slowly getting back to being a top team, but that won’t be the case when they visit the Staples Center to take on the Lakers. Expect Los Angeles to have a big night against an inner-state rival with the over also looking like the smart option.
PICKS: Los Angeles
Over
ODDS: Warriors +9 (-110) / Lakers -9 (-110)
WINNER: Warriors
PHILADELPHIA 76ERS AT OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER
January 17th – 7:00 pm ET – Chesapeake Energy Arena
The Philadelphia 76ers have been one of the hottest teams in the entire National Basketball Association early on in the campaign – when they actually have a full squad to play with. They’ve been forced to play games with as little as seven players as a result of injuries and COVID-related issues, but have been nearly unstoppable when playing at full strength.
Joel Embiid really seems to be determined to finally live up to the hype, after disappointing in the playoffs on multiple occasions. He will be a real threat on Sunday night and one that Oklahoma City will have a difficult time with trying to stop.
This game could be closer than most realize to start, but don’t expect the Thunder to be able to hang in against the 76ers for very long. The visitors should have no issues picking up the victory away from home at the Chesapeake Energy Arena.
PICKS: Philadelphia
ODDS: 76ers -3.5 (-112) / Thunder +3.5 (-109)
Winner: Philadelphia
* All odds are via Parx Sportsbook.
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