Our FREE NBA picks went at 75% last night and are on a roll lately, but we aren’t happy with just that. We are looking to continue our hot form with some more winners from tonight’s ten games.
Can the Washington Wizards finally get Bradley Beal a W? Can the East-leading Philadelphia 76ers get a big road win in Minnesota, even though Joel Embiid might not play?
We have all of the answers you need in for you to place your bets and win some money, so check out our NBA picks below!
Indiana Pacers @ Charlotte Hornets – 7PM ET
A rematch of Wednesday night that saw Indiana run away as 10 point winners. The Pacers jumped to a 36-19 lead after the first quarter and despite Charlotte mounting a comeback, Indiana were just too far ahead.
Doug McDermott top scored for the game with 28 off the bench while Malcolm Brogodon had a nice all around game with 25, seven boards and six assists. Domantas Sabonis was questionable to play in the contest but ended up playing 37 minutes in the win, putting up 22 points on 90% shooting along with 11 boards and 10 assists in an important triple double for his side.
A triple-double from @Dsabonis11 and a Pacers career-high night from @dougmcdermott helped pave the way to a #PacersWin last night in Charlotte.
Full story + Highlights ⤵️https://t.co/IhSsjKD2jv
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) January 28, 2021
Charlotte shot 10% worse from the field and part of that was due to Myles Turner dominating the inside for the Pacers. The big man ended up with five blocks and helped keep all Hornets players from shooting over 50% from the field for the game.
Terry Rozier led Charlotte with 20 points while five others scored in double figures, but ultimately it wasn’t enough and they couldn’t catch up.
The Pacers are only slight favorites here but we are happy to follow them again in this one.
NBA Pick – Indiana Pacers (-150)
NBA Spread – Indiana Pacers -3 (-110)
Game Totals Pick – Under 220 (-110)
Atlanta Hawks @ Washington Wizards – 7PM ET
The 3-11 Washington Wizards are hearing all about how bad they are and what Bradley Beal should do, but they are hosting divisional rivals, the Atlanta Hawks, in what seems to be a must win matchup for the side.
Washington is getting some of the cavalry back from the COVID-19 health and safety protocols, but they have looked plain awful since returning from their 12 day hiatus. Three games for three losses and an average losing margin of 19 points, all while Beal is averaging 37 points over that stretch.
Russell Westbrook is back after a game off with rest while Rui Hachiura is one of the players returning from the protocols, but is it enough to overcome an Atlanta side that has won four of the last six, with their two losses being to the Bucks and the Nets?
Their most recent game was a 128-132 overtime loss to Brooklyn on Wednesday. Trae Young gave his all with 28 points and 14 assists while young athletic wings De’Andre Hunter and Cam Reddish combined for 45 points, but ultimately they couldn’t keep up in the extra period.
A big reason for Washington’s struggles is the loss of center Thomas Bryant and Clint Capela has been on a tear for Atlanta lately, so he should be looking for a big game against a weakened opposition. Washington has to turn things around eventually, but the Hawks are playing some very good basketball lately and have good defensive wings as well as good spacing and shooting, which should be too much for the Wizards to handle.
NBA Pick – Atlanta Hawks (-185)
NBA Spread – Atlanta Hawks -4.5 (-110)
Game Totals Pick – Over 232 (-110)
Cleveland Cavaliers @ New York Knicks – 7:30PM ET
The third and final meeting between these two sides, with the previous two being split by the Cleveland Cavaliers and the New York Knicks. Since their last meeting, that Cleveland won by three, New York went on to win three straight but has lost three straight since while the Cavaliers have won two, lost two and then beat the Pistons on Wednesday.
Cleveland found themselves in a tough battle with Detroit two nights ago but won the third quarter by 10 points and never looked back. Collin Sexton continues to be one of the best scorers in the game with 29 points while Andre Drummond had 23 points, 16 boards and five steals in the 15 point win.
When these sides last met, Drummond was the star of the show with 33 points and 23 rebounds, highlighting what seems to be a trend with the Knicks of allowing opposing big men to have their way inside. Tuesday’s matchup with the Jazz saw New York allow Rudy Gobert to have 18 points, 19 boards and four blocks.
The last Cavalier to record 20+ points, 15+ rebounds and 5+ steals in a single game was Ron Harper in 1987.
(via @CavsNotes) pic.twitter.com/1WmSKazSru— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) January 28, 2021
Austin Rivers got out to a hot start, shooting 10/10 from the field including 5/5 from deep for 25 points, but didn’t score in the second half and it seemed like neither could the Knicks. New York lost the last quarter 13-28 and outside of Julius Randle (18) and RJ Barrett (17), no one could put the ball in the hole for them.
New York will enjoy getting home after a four game West Coast road trip, especially given that the 9-9 Cavs are just 3-5 on the road, and we are backing them to get back on track tonight.
NBA Pick – New York Knicks (-110)
NBA Spread – New York Knicks +1 (-115)
Game Totals Pick – Over 206 (-110)
Sacramento Kings @ Toronto Raptors – 7:30PM ET
We went against the Sacramento Kings in their last game with the Magic and they came out and caused the upset, winning by 14 points. However, we are going against them again as they travel down to Tampa to take on the Toronto Raptors.
Toronto have lost two straight, by 15 to the Pacers and seven to the Bucks, but we like them to turn things around against a side they beat by 21 points less than three weeks ago. On that night Fred VanVleet scored 34 points to lead the Raptors to a 144-123 win, but he could only manage 10 in Wednesday’s loss to Milwaukee. Norman Powell top scored with 26 points while Kyle Lowry had 21 but they couldn’t quite keep up.
After giving up 115+ over nine straight games, the Kings have won two straight and allowed an average of just 100.5 over that stretch. Wednesday saw them keep the Magic to just 107 but did it on the offensive end as Buddy Hield led the way with 29 points on 7/12 from deep while Harrison Barnes chipped in 21.
The big man pairing of Richuan Holmes and Marvin Bagley both had double doubles, combining for 36 points and 24 boards, and will be vital against a weaker Toronto front court.
While Sacramento have won two straight and Toronto have dropped two straight, we like the Raptors to get the job done at home. The Kings are just 2-4 on the road and we don’t see them having a 21 point turn around from when the sides last met.
NBA Pick – Toronto Raptors (-220)
NBA Spread – Sacramento Kings +5.5 (-110)
Game Totals Pick – Under 229.5 (-110)
Milwaukee Bucks @ New Orleans Pelicans – 7:30PM ET
The New Orleans Pelicans snapped a three game skid by overpowering the lifeless Wizards on Wednesday, but the Milwaukee Bucks are a completely different beast and are a much tougher test.
Milwaukee have followed up their loss to the Lakers with a 14 point win over the Hawks and a seven point win over the Raptors on Wednesday. Giannis Antetokoumpo had a monster game in that one with 24 points, 18 rebounds and nine assists while Khris Middleton was right there with him, putting up 24, 10 boards and even assists.
There is a secondary storyline in this one after Jrue Holiday was traded from the Pels to the Bucks during the offseason, for Eric Bledsoe and other pieces. Both players will want to have big games against their former sides, and could be a determining factor in who comes out on top.
Bledose had 18 points and seven boards in Wednesday’s win but Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson were the stars of the show. Williamson put up 32 points on 75% shooting while Ingram had 32, six boards and eight assists.
Middleton is the perfect matchup for Ingram on both ends of the floor while Williamson may have trouble keeping up with Antetokounmpo. The two time MVP will be able to stick with Williamson, who is averaging 27 points over the last two weeks, but Giannis will be looking to have a monster game here and will get his side over the line.
NBA Pick – Milwaukee Bucks (-275)
NBA Spread – Milwaukee Bucks -7 (-110)
Game Totals Pick – Over 228.5 (-110)
Los Angeles Clippers @ Orlando Magic – 8PM ET
We backed the Los Angeles Clippers as road underdogs last night and we are riding with them again against the Orlando Magic. Despite still missing Paul George and Kawhi Leonard, LA were able to get back on track with the four point win while Orlando have lost three of their last four, most recently by 14 to the Kings.
Nikola Vucevic had 26 points and nine boards while Evan Fournier had 25, but they gave up 121 points and couldn’t score enough to keep it competitive. Orlando were dominated for the first three quarters and never really looked like winning the game.
The LA Clippers just had a 40 point quarter without Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, and Patrick Beverley.
— Farbod Esnaashari (@Farbod_E) January 29, 2021
The Kings were at full strength and the Clippers are missing their two best players, but the LA depth was on show in Miami last night. Six players scored in double figures, led by Nicolas Batum’s 18 points and six boards while Lou Williams was next best with 17, five boards and four assists off the bench.
Serge Ibaka is the perfect defender to slow down Nikola Vucevic as he has the size to stick with him in the post and the speed and length to contend his outside shots. If he is able to do that, then it will go a long way to help the Clips come out on top. Look for the Clippers depth to be tested but shine again and help them get over the line.
NBA Pick – Los Angeles Clippers (-245)
NBA Spread – Los Angeles Clippers +2 (-110)
Game Totals Pick – Under 212.5 (-110)
Philadelphia 76ers @ Minnesota Timberwolves – 8PM ET
The Philadelphia 76ers come off their biggest win of the season and get on the road to take on the Minnesota Timberwolves. This is a much easier contest on paper, but that is the sort of attitude that results in upsets and Doc Rivers will look to have his men on the top of their game.
The Wolves have been playing without D’Angelo Russell and Karl-Anthony Towns lately, losing their last two and six of their last seven. They followed up a 22 point loss to the Warriors with a 12 point loss to the same side two nights later on Wednesday, with Malik Beasley and Anthony Edwards both dropping 25 points, but unable to get stops on the other end.
Philadelphia are an even tougher test yet again, sitting on top of the East with a 13-6 record and coming off a massive one point victory over the Lakers. Joel Embiid had 28 points, six boards and two blocks while Tobias Harris had 24 points, seven rebounds and the last second game winner but the most important player on the night was Ben Simmons who had a 17 point triple double.
An interesting stat is that when Philly’s starting five all play, the Sixers are 10-0. However after a hard fall in the win over LA, Embiid is just questionable for this clash. Philly are 0-4 in the four games he has previously missed whilst also being just 3-5 on the road, but they haven’t played a team as bad as this Minnesota team, especially if Russell (questionable) doesn’t play.
NBA Pick – Philadelphia 76ers (-270)
NBA Spread – Minnesota Timberwolves +7.5 (-110)
Game Totals Pick – Under 222.5 (-110)
Brooklyn Nets @ Oklahoma City Thunder – 8PM ET
A game with a lot of feel as Kevin Durant leads the Brooklyn Nets to his former home to take on the Oklahoma City Thunder. Riding a two game winning streak over two playoff hopefuls, OKC will have their tails up in this one, but the new look Brooklyn Nets are a very tall ask, especially with their big three playing the way they are.
In a 132-128 overtime win over the Hawks on Wednesday, Durant, James Harden and Kyrie Irving combined for 89 points on 52% shooting with the latter two combining for 22 assists. It is still mainly a six man show for the Nets but Bruce Brown got some more minutes than usual and made the most of them with 12 points off the bench.
They will need everyone who plays minutes to be a strong contributor for them against the Thunder who have just beaten the Blazers and the Suns. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Al Horford both dropped 21 in the five point win over Phoenix with all of the starters scoring in double figures while keeping the Suns to just 97 points, who came out and scored 114 against the Warriors last night.
🗣 RETWEET for @KDTrey5
⭐️ https://t.co/qPlSkhQBDU ⭐️ pic.twitter.com/9FhmPAFLiG
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) January 28, 2021
The Thunder have been playing some very nice basketball lately, but it isn’t on the level of Brooklyn. They are 7-4 on the road but are home in this one where they are just 1-5, and we are expecting Brooklyn to get the job done here in a big win.
NBA Pick – Brooklyn Nets (-390)
NBA Spread – Brooklyn Nets -8.5 (-110)
Game Totals Pick – Over 230.5 (-110)
Denver Nuggets @ San Antonio Spurs – 10PM ET
The San Antonio Spurs are coming off a big win over the Celtics on Wednesday night which was their second straight, but now host a Denver Nuggets side that has won five straight including the last four on the road.
Denver’s most recent game was a 27 point win over the shorthanded Heat, but they did exactly what they needed to by getting a big lead early and not giving it up. Denver used a 26-12 first quarter and 35-17 last quarter to ensure they walked away with the win as Nikola Jokic had 21 and 13 boards while Michael Porter Jr. and JaMychal Green had a combined 32 and 15 boards off the bench.
Denver will need to bring their best on both ends of the floor against the Spurs who caused the upset to beat Boston by four points. Keldon Johnson and Dejounte Murray both had double doubles while DeMar DeRozan and LaMarcus Aldridge both had 20 points.
San Antonio gave up a 14 point halftime lead but won the last quarter and got timely scores to ensure they won, but Jokic is a different test and a tough matchup for the aging Aldridge. We reckon that the Denver big man and one of the MVP front runners is due for a massive game and he will help his side end their road trip on a high.
NBA Pick – Denver Nuggets (-180)
NBA Spread – San Antonio Spurs +4 (-110)
Game Totals Pick – Under 224.5 (-110)
Dallas Mavericks @ Utah Jazz – 10PM ET
Another rematch of a Wednesday night clash to round out the night and the Utah Jazz will be looking to make it two from two in their home set with the Dallas Mavericks. Despite missing Donovan Mitchell, Utah got the 32-19 first quarter jump on Dallas and extended their lead to 22 points at the final break.
The Mavs welcomed back multiple players from COVID-19 health and safety protocols but weren’t able to get stops while struggling to score themselves. Luka Doncic had 30 points but just four rebounds and six assists, while Tim Hardaway Jr had 19 and Kristaps Porzingis had 18 but no other Dallas player got it going and could consistently contribute.
The Jazz win their 10th in a row to move into the West’s #1 seed! pic.twitter.com/9Xp0bkVTNk
— NBA (@NBA) January 28, 2021
Utah on the other hand had players step up in the absence of Mitchell, led by Jordan Clarkson’s 31 points and seven rebounds off the bench. Rudy Gobert also enjoyed the increased responsibility with his best game of the season, dropping a massive 29 points, 20 boards, three steals and three blocks.
Mitchell is still just questionable for this contest but Utah has a league best ten game winning streak and just proved that they can win without their All Star, and we like them to be able to do the same again tonight.
NBA Pick – Utah Jazz (-170)
NBA Spread – Utah Jazz -4 (-110)
Game Totals Pick – Under 221.5 (-110)
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*Odds and spreads correct at time of publication, courtesy of Bet365.
