We have started the New Year off in fine form and our NBA picks are going to keep rolling on and selecting winners from across the league.
Just six games this evening but we are confident in the six teams we have chosen, including the full strength Houston Rockets to get win number two.
Check out our NBA picks below so you can place your bets and build the bank for a big Sunday of sport across the country.
Sacramento Kings @ Houston Rockets – 5PM ET
A rematch of Thursday night where Houston got their first win of the season over the Kings. This was the Rockets’ first game with their full lineup in action and they looked like they had been playing together for ages. James Harden, Christian Wood and John Wall, in his first game for the side, combined for 76 points while Eric Gordon and DeMarcus Cousins combined for 25 off the bench.
The Kings had won three of four before dropping to the Rockets, but they had no problems offensively in this one. They scored 119 points with Harrison Barnes leading the team with 24 while De’Aaron Fox and Richaun Holmes both scored 22, Holmes adding 13 boards as well.
Unfortunately for Sacramento, they caught the Rockets at the wrong time and the more that Houston plays together, the better they will get. Houston should be able to back up their first win with another one here.
NBA Pick – Houston Rockets (-200)
James Harden scored/assisted on every Rockets point in the final four minutes last night.
Beard outscored the Kings himself 16-11.
He’s averaging 37 PPG through his first three games.
Machine. pic.twitter.com/q1cv0PKaZp
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 1, 2021
New York Knicks @ Indiana Pacers – 7PM ET
After two massive wins, the Knicks looked plain awful against Toronto on Thursday night. No starters hit a three and only one shot over 50% from the field in the 17 point loss.
They now face an Indiana side that is coming off a 20 point victory over the Cavs and is full of confidence.
Domantas Sabonis was once again the star of the show, filling up the stat sheet with 25 points, 11 boards and 7 assists, while five other Pacers scored at least 12 points. The win came on the defensive end, holding Cleveland under 100 points for the game.
New York only managed 83 against the Raptors with Julius Randle and Kevin Knox tied for the most points with just 16. RJ Barrett has completely cooled off, scoring 12 points on 4/19 shooting and he has gone 0/21 from three since the first game of the season.
While the Knicks have claimed some big name scalps in the early part of the season, Indiana will be too strong in this one.
NBA Pick – Indiana Pacers (-420)
Oklahoma City Thunder @ Orlando Magic – 7PM ET
A rematch of Tuesday night where the Magic came out on top by 11 points, but now they will face off in Orlando.
Both sides have had demoralising home losses since then, the Magic by 24 to the Sixers and the Thunder by 33 to the Pelicans.
That was Orlando’s first loss of the season and they couldn’t get anything going on offense. Nikola Vucevic was once again the lead man with 19 points and 10 boards but Markelle Fultz, Aaron Gordon and Evan Fournier could only combine for 18.
OKC on the other hand dropped their third straight and could only manage to put up 80 points against New Orleans. Al Horford was the only player to score more than 10 points with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Luguentz Dort, the team’s leading scorers, only combining for 16 points.
If the Thunder put up that sort of effort again, this should be an easy bounce back win for the Magic at home. Even if the Thunder play better, like their first couple of games, the Magic have proven that they can beat them anyway.
NBA Pick – Orlando Magic (-334)
Tonight was a good night. #HereTheyCome pic.twitter.com/zqPy0lLGC4
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) January 1, 2021
Charlotte Hornets @ Philadelphia 76ers – 7PM ET
Philadelphia gets back home after handing the Magic their first loss of the season and face the Charlotte Hornets who are on the second night of a back-to-back.
Charlotte had a great two games before last night, when they fell to the Grizzlies by 15 points. The Hornets only managed 93 points with Bismack Biyombo leading the scoring with just 16 points. They now have to travel to Philly to take on one of the best home sides in the comp.
The Sixers looked great on both ends of the floor against Orlando, holding the Magic to just 92 points while they had three players of their own score at least 20 points. Joel Embiid had 21 points, 9 boards and 2 blocks in just under 27 minutes while Tobias Harris and Seth Curry combined for 41 points and 8 threes.
The Sixers are 2-0 at home, continuing their hot form in Philly and should be able to take care of the tired Hornets who are playing their third game in four nights.
NBA Pick – Philadelphia 76ers (-490)
Cleveland Cavaliers @ Atlanta Hawks – 7:30PM ET
After starting 3-0, the Cavaliers have dropped back down to earth with losses to the Knicks and Pacers. They now travel down to Atlanta to face the Hawks who just bounced back after their first loss of the season with a 18 point victory over the Nets last night.
All five scorers scored in double figures, with three scoring at least 20. De’Andre Hunter was the lead man with 23 points while Clint Capela had a 12 point, 11 rebound double double in just his third game back from injury. The Hawks managed to keep the explosive Brooklyn Nets to just 96 points and now face a much easier opponent in Cleveland on the second night of their back-to-back.
Cleveland didn’t look good against the Pacers on Thursday, with just four players scoring in double figures, led by Collin Sexton’s 28 points and Darius Garland’s 21 points and 5 assists. Andre Drummond had another double-double but was nowhere near as impactful as he usually is and will need to step it up if the Cavs have any chance in this one.
While Atlanta is on the second night of a back-to-back, their offense can score with the best of them and might be too much for the Cavs to be able to keep up with.
NBA Pick – Atlanta Hawks (-265)
Freddy makin’ fantasy owners happy.
25 Pts | 7 Ast | 5 Reb | 4 3pm pic.twitter.com/zt05A4qkFM
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) January 1, 2021
Toronto Raptors @ New Orleans Pelicans – 7:30PM ET
A rematch of both sides’ opening games, where the Pelicans caused the upset, winning 113-99 in Tampa Bay.
Toronto have only just managed to get their first win of the season on Thursday, a 17 point victory over the Knicks. Pascal Siakim missed that one due to disciplinary reasons and the Raptors had multiple players step up to fill the void. Kyle Lowry had 20 points, 7 boards, 4 assists and 2 steals while Fred VanVleet had 25 points, 5 boards and 7 assists. Norman Powell was promoted to the starting lineup and had 17 points on 54% shooting, but with Pascal back in for this one, the Raptors will be looking to keep their momentum rolling.
New Orleans faces a tough test though. The Pels have already beaten the Raptors once and could be looking to get the season sweep with a win. They bounced back from their embarrassing loss to Phoenix with a massive 33 point win over the Thunder. Seven players scored in double figures including all five starters with Brandon Ingram leading the way with 20 points and 7 rebounds. Both Steven Adams and Josh Hart had double-doubles, but what did it for the Pels was their defense. Eight different players recorded at least one defensive stat and they held the Thunder to just 80 points.
This game is nearly a pick ‘em, but with Toronto’s main issue early in the season being their ability to score and with New Orleans thriving on that end of the floor, this could be another win for the Pels.
NBA Pick – New Orleans Pelicans (+100)
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*Odds and spreads correct at time of publication, courtesy of PointsBet.
