Category: NBA

Miami Heat at Brooklyn Nets odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Monday’s Miami Heat at Brooklyn Nets NBA betting odds and lines, with basketball picks, tips and predictions.

The Miami Heat (6-9) travel to meet the Brooklyn Nets (10-8) at Barclays Center on Monday for a 7:30 p.m. ET tip-off. Below, we analyze the Heat-Nets NBA odds and lines, with picks and predictions.

Heat at Nets: Odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:50 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: Heat +260 (bet $100 to win $260) | Nets -350 (bet $350 to win $100)
  • Against the spread/ATS: Heat +7.5 (-110) | Nets -7.5 (-110)
  • Over/Under: 234.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Heat at Nets: Key Injuries

Heat

  • G Avery Bradley (COVID-19) out
  • F Jimmy Butler (COVID-19) out
  • G Goran Dragic (foot) probable
  • F Moe Harkless (thigh) out
  • G Tyler Herro (back) questionable
  • F Meyers Leonard (shoulder) out
  • F Chris Silva (hip) questionable

Nets

  • F Nicolas Claxton (knee) out
  • G Spencer Dinwiddie (knee) out

Special NBA Betting Promotion!

Place a $1 bet on either team’s money line, WIN an additional $100 (in free bets) if either team hits a 3-pointer during the game today. Promotion available in CO, IN, MI, NJ, TN and WV. IA and PA residents, don’t miss BetMGM‘s risk-free, first-bet offer!

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Heat at Nets: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

Nets 123, Heat 117

Money line (ML)

The Nets (-350) will cost you three-and-a-half times your potential return, and that’s risky and a poor long-term strategy. Even if this bet came through 77 percent of the time, you’d be running a deficit. AVOID.

Against the spread (ATS)

The HEAT +7.5 (-110) are a strong play, as the Nets’ -7.5 (-110) struggles on defense leave the door open for everyone. Brooklyn enters 0-3 ATS across the past three, and 1-4 ATS over the previous five outings. Miami lost 128-124 on Saturday as an eight-point ‘dog, and you can expect a similar spread here.

Over/Under (O/U)

OVER 234.5 (-110) is insanely high, but it might not be high enough. These teams combined for 252 total points Saturday in the first installment, including a ridiculous 74 points in the final quarter. Brooklyn is No. 1 with 120.3 PPG, a 49.3% field-goal percentage and their scoring defense ranks 27th with 116.8 PPG. The Nets are on a 12-0 Over run, with their last Under on New Year’s Day against Atlanta.

Want some action on this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Charlotte Hornets at Orlando Magic odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Monday’s Charlotte Hornets at Orlando Magic NBA betting odds and lines, with basketball picks, tips and predictions.

The Charlotte Hornets (7-9) travel to meet the Orlando Magic (7-10) at Amway Arena on Monday for a 7 p.m. ET tip-off. Below, we analyze the Hornets-Magic NBA odds and lines, with picks and predictions.

Hornets at Magic: Odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:40 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: Hornets -120 (bet $120 to win $100) | Magic +100 (bet $100 to win $100)
  • Against the spread/ATS: Hornets -1.5 (-110) | Magic +1.5 (-110)
  • Over/Under: 213.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Hornets at Magic: Key Injuries

Hornets

  • G Grant Riller (knee) out

Magic

  • F Al-Farouq Aminu (knee) out
  • G Michael Carter-Williams (foot) out
  • G Markelle Fultz (knee) out
  • F Aaron Gordon (hip) questionable
  • G Jonathan Isaac (knee) out
  • F Chuma Okeke (knee) out

Special NBA Betting Promotion!

Place a $1 bet on either team’s money line, WIN an additional $100 (in free bets) if either team hits a 3-pointer during the game today. Promotion available in CO, IN, MI, NJ, TN and WV. IA and PA residents, don’t miss BetMGM‘s risk-free, first-bet offer!

Place your legal, online sports bets at BetMGM! Terms and conditions apply. Bet now!

Hornets at Magic: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

Hornets 103, Magic 99

Money line (ML)

The HORNETS (-120) and the Magic (+100) run it back just 24 hours after Sunday’s 107-104 by Charlotte. Orlando is skidding hard, losing eight of their past nine games. As such, the Hornets are the play on the money line as they look for the two-game sweep in O-Town.

Against the spread (ATS)

The HORNETS -1.5 (-110) are worth a light play, although I like them better on the money line for a slightly higher price, not having to worry about the points. Orlando is just 2-7 ATS across the past nine, however, and Charlotte is 7-2 ATS during the same span.

Over/Under (O/U)

UNDER 213.5 (-110) is the play in nearly any second end of a back-to-back set. We’ll have plenty of tired legs as the team’s should be quite a bit sluggish, at least to start. The Under is also 6-0 in Orlando’s past six games at home, too, and 10-2 in Charlotte’s past 12 following a straight-up win, so there’s that.

Want some action on this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Remembering Kobe: His final interview, his death and his legacy

USA TODAY draws back the curtain as four of its own recall covering the passing of Kobe Bryant and conducting his final interview just nine days prior.

USA TODAY draws back the curtain as four of its own recall covering the passing of Kobe Bryant and conducting his final interview just nine days prior.

New York Knicks at Portland Trail Blazers odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Sunday’s New York Knicks at Portland Trail Blazers NBA betting odds and lines, with basketball picks, tips and predictions.

The New York Knicks (8-9) are in the Rose City Sunday for a 10 p.m. ET game against the Portland Trail Blazers (8-6) at the Moda Center. Below, we analyze the Knicks-Trail Blazers NBA odds and lines, with picks and predictions.

The Knicks had their three-game win streak (3-0 against the spread) snapped by the Sacramento Kings in a 103-94 loss Friday. New York ranks third in defensive rating and is first in effective field-goal percentage and points per game allowed. Over their past five games, the Knicks are fifth in net rating (plus-8.0).

Portland is 3-2 in its last five games (2-3 ATS), but the Trail Blazers are 25th in net rating (minus-6.7) over that time. Their previous two scheduled games against the Memphis Grizzlies were postponed due to COVID-19 issues with the Grizzlies.

The Trail Blazers were crushed 125-104 by the San Antonio Spurs as 1.5-point road underdogs Monday. It was the first game without second-leading scorer SG C.J. McCollum.

New York won the last head-to-head meeting to snap a six-game losing skid against Portland; however, the Knicks have covered the spread in three of their past four games against the Trail Blazers.

Knicks at Trail Blazers: Odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 2:55 p.m. ET.

  • Money line: Knicks +140 (bet $100 to win $140) | Trail Blazers -165 (bet $165 to win $100)
  • Against the spread/ATS: Knicks +3.5 (-105) | Trail Blazers -3.5 (-115)
  • Over/Under: 214.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Knicks at Trail Blazers: Key Injuries

Knicks

  • SG Austin Rivers (Achilles) questionable
  • SG Reggie Bullock (neck) doubtful
  • PG Frank Ntilikina (knee) questionable

Trail Blazers

  • C Jusuf Nurkic (wrist) out
  • SG C.J. McCollum (foot) out
  • C Zach Collins (ankle) out

Special NBA Betting Promotion!

Place a $1 bet on either team’s money line, WIN an additional $100 (in free bets) if either team hits a 3-pointer during the game today. Promotion available in CO, IN, MI, NJ, TN and WV. IA and PA residents, don’t miss BetMGM‘s risk-free, first-bet offer!

Place your legal, online sports bets at BetMGM! Terms and conditions apply. Bet now!

Knicks at Trail Blazers: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

Knicks 108, Trail Blazers 102

Money line (ML)

New York and Portland have been trending in opposite directions in both performance and health with the Knicks heading in the positive direction.

Knicks second-year SG RJ Barrett has been playing great over the last five games with 21.7 points per game on 50.5% shooting with 6.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists. New York’s third-leading scorer, SG Alec Burks, has played the last two games following a 12-game absence due to an ankle injury.

The effects of Portland’s injury report, especially McCollum’s absence, haven’t yet set in because the Trail Blazers had their last couple of games canceled. Those absences will be felt Sunday against a feisty New York team.

GIMME KNICKS (+140) for a quarter-unit.

Against the spread (ATS)

Surprisingly, the Knicks are second in clutch net rating and the Trail Blazers are fourth but most people would assume Portland, with PG Damian Lillard, would be far superior. Granted, it’s a small sample size, so I’d prefer to insure New York by taking the points.

There’s just too much value on the spread to be greedy and only bet the money line. TAKE KNICKS +3.5 (-105) for 1 unit.

Over/Under (O/U)

The UNDER 214.5 (-110) is perhaps the best play. It might be too obvious with the low projection so that’s why I might not bet it heavily, but there are just too many Under-friendly trends.

For example, eight of the last nine Knicks-Trail Blazers games have gone Under and New York is 10-2 O/U in its last 12 games as an underdog.

Want some action on this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow Geoff Clark on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Former Vols in the NBA: Jan. 23 recap

Recapping how former Vols fared in the NBA Saturday night.

Only one former University of Tennessee basketball player was in action in the National Basketball Association Saturday night.

One other VFL, however, remained shelved, as he continues to miss games due to the league’s COVID-19 protocols.

The Philadelphia 76ers nabbed a 114-110 victory over Detroit at Little Caesars Arena.

Forward Tobias Harris started and played 34 minutes against the Pistons (3-13). Harris scored 17 points, pulled down four rebounds and had a pair of blocked shots.

He went 6-for-14 from the floor, including 3-for-5 from beyond the 3-point arc. The former Vol was perfect from the free throw line, going 3-for-3 for the 76ers (12-5), who overcame a 63-61 halftime deficit.

Meanwhile, in Dallas, the Mavericks dropped a 133-108 decision to the Houston Rockets at American Airlines Arena.

Former Volunteer Josh Richardson missed his eighth straight game as he remains out due to COVID-19 protocols.

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Charlotte Hornets at Orlando Magic odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Sunday’s Charlotte Hornets at Orlando Magic NBA betting odds and lines, with basketball picks, tips and predictions.

The Charlotte Hornets (6-9) clash with the Orlando Magic (7-9) Sunday in the Amway Center at 8 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze the Hornets-Magic NBA odds and lines, with picks and predictions.

Charlotte got routed by the Chicago Bulls 123-110 Friday as 3-point home favorites to lose its fourth consecutive game. The Hornets were out of sync in their first game in six days vs. the Bulls partly because their scheduled game with the Washington Wizards on Jan. 20 was postponed due to COVID-19 issues.

Chicago out-scored Charlotte in each quarter by moving the ball well (33-22 edge in assists for the Bulls) and generating quality looks, shooting 51.6% from the field vs. the Hornets.

The Magic wrapped up a five-game road swing with a 120-118 overtime loss to the Indiana Pacers but covered as 4-point underdogs. Orlando was 1-4 on the road trip (2-3 against the spread) and has lost seven of its last eight games (2-6 ATS).

It has been rough sledding for the Magic who are without a couple of starters with season-ending injuries already (PG Markelle Fultz and PF Jonathan Isaac).

Orlando won and covered both games against Charlotte last season and has beaten the Hornets in four straight (4-0 ATS).

Hornets at Magic: Odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:40 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: Hornets +100 (bet $100 to win $100) | Magic -120 (bet $120 to win $100)
  • Against the spread/ATS: Hornets +1.5 (-110) | Magic -1.5 (-110)
  • Over/Under: 214.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Hornets at Magic: Key Injuries

Hornets

  • NONE

Magic

  • PF Al-Farouq Aminu (shoulder) questionable
  • PG Michael Carter-Williams (foot) out

Special NBA Betting Promotion!

Place a $1 bet on either team’s money line, WIN an additional $100 (in free bets) if either team hits a 3-pointer during the game today. Promotion available in CO, IN, MI, NJ, TN and WV. IA and PA residents, don’t miss BetMGM‘s risk-free, first-bet offer!

Place your legal, online sports bets at BetMGM! Terms and conditions apply. Bet now!

Hornets at Magic: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

Magic 107, Hornets 103

Money line (ML)

The biggest factor in this game and in the Hornets-Magic recent history has been Orlando’s advantage on the glass. The Magic have out-rebounded the Hornets in each of their four meetings—all Orlando wins—and the Magic are seventh offensive rebounding rate and third in defensive rebounding rate while Charlotte is dead last in defensive rebounding rate and is a net negative in rebounds per game.

Also, the return of SG Evan Fournier is major for the Magic. Fournier missed seven games with a back injury but returned to score 24 points in the Magic’s 97-96 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves and a season-high 26 points in the Magic’s 120-118 loss to the Indiana Pacers this week.

Fournier is fourth on the Magic in on-off court net rating and he torched the Hornets last season, averaging 21.5 points on 60.7% field-goal shooting (64.3% from behind the arc) in their two meetings.

Furthermore, inserting him back into the rotation allows Orlando wing Terrence Ross to play the more optimal role of microwaved offense off the bench. Charlotte has struggled when going to its bench, which ranks 24th in points per game.

GIMME MAGIC (-120) for 1 unit.

Against the spread (ATS)

PASS ON THE SPREAD.

Over/Under (O/U)

It’s a lean on UNDER 214.5 (-110) for a quarter-unit for me since both teams are bottom-10 in offensive rating and below-average in pace of play. Lastly, the sharp side of the market is betting the Under while the average joe is betting the Over, according to Pregame.com’s market analysis.

Want some action on this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow Geoff Clark on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Also see: 

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Washington Wizards at San Antonio Spurs odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Sunday’s Washington Wizards at San Antonio Spurs NBA betting odds and lines, with basketball picks, tips and predictions.

The Washington Wizards (3-8) travel to meet the San Antonio Spurs (8-8) at AT&T Center on Sunday for a 8 p.m. ET tip-off. Below, we analyze the Wizards-Spurs NBA odds and lines, with picks and predictions.

Wizards at Spurs: Odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Sunday at 11:10 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: Wizards +225 (bet $100 to win $225) | Spurs -275 (bet $275 to win $100)
  • Against the spread/ATS: Wizards +7.5 (-115) | Spurs -7.5 (-105)
  • Over/Under: 230.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Wizards at Spurs: Key Injuries

Wizards

  • F Deni Avdija (COVID-19) out
  • F Davis Bertans (COVID-19) out
  • G Troy Brown Jr. (COVID-19) out
  • F Thomas Bryant (knee) out
  • F Rui Hachimura (COVID-19) out
  • G Raul Neto (groin) questionable
  • G Ish Smith (COVID-19) out
  • F Moritz Wagner (COVID-19) out
  • G Russell Westbrook (quadriceps) questionable

Spurs

  • F Drew Eubanks (COVID-19) out
  • G Dejounte Murray (ankle) questionable
  • G Quinndary Weatherspoon (knee) out
  • G Derrick White (toe) out

Special NBA Betting Promotion!

Place a $1 bet on either team’s money line, WIN an additional $100 (in free bets) if either team hits a 3-pointer during the game today. Promotion available in CO, IN, MI, NJ, TN and WV. IA and PA residents, don’t miss BetMGM‘s risk-free, first-bet offer!

Place your legal, online sports bets at BetMGM! Terms and conditions apply. Bet now!

Wizards at Spurs: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

Spurs 123, Wizards 106

Money line (ML)

The Spurs (-275) are laying quite a bit in this one, and it’s not worth the risk, even against a Wizards (+225) team that returns to the hardwood after two weeks battling coronavirus and the league’s mandated protocols. AVOID, and look to the spread instead.

Against the spread (ATS)

The SPURS -7.5 (-105) are likely to dust the shorthanded Wizards +7.5 (-105) in their return to action. Washington last played Jan. 11, a 128-107 win over Phoenix at home. They were just 1-3 SU across the four games before hitting the pause button, but Washington was on a 5-1 ATS run. That good streak will be all washed away in this one, however, as the Wiz are shorthanded, and it will be an uphill climb, with or without Westbrook.

Over/Under (O/U)

OVER 230.5 (-110) is the way to go here, as San Antonio should have its way against Washington’s skeleton crew. And after a two-week hiatus, the players who do suit up for the Wizards are going to have a hard time getting their legs under them early on. The Over was 6-1 in the seven games before Washington paused for two weeks, so they weren’t that great defensively beforehand, either.

As far as the Spurs are concerned, they have allowed 121.5 PPG over the past two games, and they’re 17th in the NBA with 111.3 PPG allowed at the defensive end. They have also posted 110.8 PPG to rank 16th in the league i scoring average.

Want some action on this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow Joe Williams on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Also see: 

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  https://hoopshype.com/team/Minnesota-Timberwolves/Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Reggie Miller had the classiest response to getting passed by Steph Curry on the 3-point list

Just awesome stuff from Reggie MIller.

Reggie Miller had a touching response to Steph Curry moving past Miller with the second-most 3-pointers in NBA history. Curry had 2,562 career 3-pointers by the end of Saturday night with Ray Allen (2,973) still sitting at first on the all-time list. Miller is third with 2,560.

During postgame interviews, Miller hopped onto the videoconference with his son to issue a long congratulations to Curry.

“This is an unbelievable achievement,” Miller told Curry. “But the work is not done. I know you are chasing Ray, but you are an inspiration to so many little ones, like mine. I’m just so proud of all the work because I know what goes into that. I know the countless hours when it’s easy to go hang with your boys, hit the clubs, sleep, do other things, but you’re in the lab getting your work done.

“There are sacrifices that come with that and the blend that you have with your family and basketball and Dub Nation, the Millers are very proud of you.”

This is just awesome. It’s so cool to see two of the NBA’s greats have so much love and respect for one another.

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Coach K snarks at student reporter before asking for ’empathy’ after Duke’s loss

Where’s the “empathy” for this student?

Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski snapped in a moment of unprofessionalism when interacting with a student reporter after his team’s 70-65 loss to Louisville on Saturday.

Krzyzewski faced a harmless question: What’s the next step forward as the Blue Devils move into next week?

“Yeah, why don’t we just evaluate this game,” Krzyzewski said postgame. “You know, I’m not into what our next step forward is right now. We just finished a hard-fought game.”

Then Coach K tried to relate to the student in an awkward exchange.

“I don’t know if, like, when — what’s you major?” Krzyzewski asked. “What’s your major at Duke? What’s your hardest class?”

Piazza responded, saying, “Econ.”

“OK, so, say you just had the toughest Econ test in the world,” Krzyzewski said. “And when you walked out, somebody asked you, ‘What’s your next step?’ You see what I mean? Just that you have some empathy in — just give us time to evaluate this game and then we’ll figure out, just like we always try to do.”

It’s not a good sign that Coach K, a 73-year-old man who gets paid millions to handle the rigors of his job, is equating himself with a student finishing an exam. The comparison is very obviously flawed.

If we’re being real, Coach K should show some empathy for this student reporter, who asked a simple question that didn’t deserve such a snarky response.

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