Category: NBA

Philadelphia 76ers at Detroit Pistons odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Saturday’s Philadelphia 76ers at Detroit Pistons NBA betting odds and lines, with basketball picks, tips and predictions.

The Philadelphia 76ers (11-5) take on the Detroit Pistons (3-12) Saturday evening for an 8 p.m. ET game at Little Caesars Arena. Below, we analyze the 76ers-Pistons NBA odds and lines, with picks and predictions.

76ers at Pistons: Betting odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:55 p.m. ET.

  • Money line: 76ers -275 (bet $275 to win $100) | Pistons +220 (bet $100 to win $220)
  • Against the spread/ATS: 76ers -6.5 (-110) | Pistons +6.5 (-110)
  • Over/Under: 217.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)

76ers at Pistons: Key Injuries

76ers

  • PF Mike Scott (knee) questionable

Pistons

  • PG Killian Hayes (hip) out

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76ers at Pistons: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

76ers 116, Pistons 108

Money line (ML)

76ERS (-275) is the smart play here even though, they are coming off a win last night against the Celtics. Philadelphia handled Boston in that game, but the quick turnaround is likely why the odds are suppressed some here.

An upset wouldn’t be a total shock but, expect the 76ers to ultimately take care of business. Philadelphia has now won six straight games against the Pistons and has covered the spread in all six of those contests.

Against the spread (ATS)

76ERS -6.5 (-110) should hit on Saturday night as Philadelphia is 9-6-1 ATS this season and its previous three wins have been by at least eight points.

Detroit is in a huge slump right now as they have lost 17 of their last 20 games and haven’t been all that competitive. They are coming off a loss against the Rockets on Friday night, but that game was a tad closer. Still, take the 76ers to win and cover in this Eastern Conference matchup.

Over/Under (O/U)

OVER 217.5 (-110) looks like a good bet on Saturday night as the 76ers are starting to get into a groove on offense. They’ve averaged more than 114 points per game this season and C Joel Embiid is taking the next step as a scorer.

While Detroit is far from an elite offense, they can get to 106-108 points on a nightly basis. If they can do that in this game, the Over should have no problem hitting at all.

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Kyrie Irving isn’t worried after back-to-back losses to the Cavs: ‘We will be on that stage’

What a bold statement.

On Friday night the Brooklyn Nets suffered their second loss in a row to the Cleveland Cavaliers and their first back-to-back loss since trading for James Harden.

Over the last two games their flaws have been on full display. Their lack of depth, their struggles on defense, their rebounding issues. Granted, in the second game they didn’t have their best player in Kevin Durant. But still, their issues were clear.

All of that aside, though, Kyrie Irving isn’t worried at all about the Nets back-to-back losses. And he doesn’t think Nets fans should be, either.

In an Instagram post, Irving told fans “don’t trip, it’s a long journey.” And said the nets will be on the “main stage.”

“Don’t trip. It’s a long journey. We will be on that stage. The stage where the best of the best meet…You know. The main stage. Where those who can, do. And those who cannot talk about those that are doing. If you rolling with us, great. Let’s rock. If you’re not, you know you wanna talk about our greatness anyway.” 

That is quite a statement and quite a bit of confidence from Irving. And, honestly, it’s not misplaced.

The Nets probably shouldn’t be considered a guarantee for the Finals at this point, but these two losses to the Cavs don’t mean too much. In the first game, it was the first time their new big 3 of Irving, Durant and Harden all played together. In the second game, they were without their best player in Durant.

Yes, the Nets are flawed. They do have major defensive problems. They probably aren’t going to be the best rebounding team. But they should clean those up with time. And, when they do, they’ll be a special squad.

Until then, though, the hot takes are going to fly. It is what it is.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BGHXXFAXp0&feature=youtu.be&ab_channel=USATODAYSports

Los Angeles Lakers at Chicago Bulls odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Saturday’s Los Angeles Lakers at Chicago Bulls betting odds and lines, with basketball picks, tips and predictions.

The Los Angeles Lakers (12-4) pay a visit to the Chicago Bulls (7-8) at the United Center on Saturday for a 9 p.m. ET tip-off. Below, we analyze the Lakers-Bulls NBA odds and lines, with picks and predictions.

Lakers at Bulls: Odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:25 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: Lakers -400 (bet $400 to win $100) | Bulls +320 (bet $100 to win $320)
  • Against the spread/ATS: Lakers -8.5 (-120) | Bulls +8.5 (+100)
  • Over/Under: 226.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Lakers at Bulls: Key Injuries

Lakers

  • F Anthony Davis (ankle) probable
  • F LeBron James (ankle) questionable

Bulls

  • C Wendell Carter Jr. (thigh) doubtful

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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Lakers at Bulls: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

Lakers 117, Bulls 113

Money line (ML)

The Lakers (-400) should be able to pick up the road win against Billy Donovan’s Bulls (+320), but it’s going to be a close shave. L.A. is particularly risky with A.D. and LeBron listed on the official injury report, although both are fully expected to play. AVOID.

Against the spread (ATS)

The BULLS +8.5 (+100) have won and covered three in a row, each as an underdog, and they’re 8-1 ATS across the past nine games overall. That includes a narrow 117-115 loss in Los Angeles at 8.5-point underdogs just on Jan. 8. What has changed to make the Bulls a near double-digit ‘dog on their home floor, especially while they’re running hot?

Over/Under (O/U)

O/U 226.5 (-110) is going to be too close to call. The Bulls have hit the Over in six of the past seven games overall, so that would be the lean here. But the best call is to avoid and just focus on the spread. PASS.

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New Orleans Pelicans at Minnesota Timberwolves odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Saturday’s New Orleans Pelicans at Minnesota Timberwolves NBA betting odds and lines, with basketball picks, tips and predictions.

The New Orleans Pelicans (5-9) travel to meet the Minnesota Timberwolves (3-11) at Target Center on Saturday for an 8 p.m. ET tip-off. Below, we analyze the Pelicans-Timberwolves NBA odds and lines, with picks and predictions.

Pelicans at Timberwolves: Odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:15 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: Pelicans -350 (bet $350 to win $100) | Timberwolves +260 (bet $100 to win $260)
  • Against the spread/ATS: Pelicans -7.5 (-120) | Timberwolves +7.5 (+100)
  • Over/Under: 220.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Pelicans at Timberwolves: Key Injuries

Pelicans

  • None that alters gambling lines.

Timberwolves

  • C Karl-Anthony Towns (COVID-19) out
  • F Juancho Hernangomez (COVID-19) 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!

Pelicans at Timberwolves: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

Pelicans 119, Timberwolves 107

Money line (ML)

The Pelicans (-350) will cost you three and a half times your potential return, which is just way too much, even if the Timberwolves (+260) are atrocious and missing their best player until at least mid-February. AVOID.

Against the spread (ATS)

The PELICANS -7.5 (-110) are worth playing on the road, as they’re going to be angry after getting dusted in a pair of games at Utah on Tuesday and Thursday. Look for them to come out and take advantage of the beleaguered Timberwolves +7.5 (-110).

Over/Under (O/U)

OVER 222.5 (-110) is a good bet, as the Pellies enter on an 8-1 Over run across the past nine games, including each of the past three. The Over is also 4-1 in their previous five on the road.

The T-Pups have hit the Under in three in a row, but that’s mostly due to their inability to score the basketball. Defensively they’re not very good and will offer very little resistance until KAT comes back to clog up the middle.

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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Former Vols in the NBA: Jan. 22 recap

How former Vols fared in NBA games Friday night.

A pair of former University of Tennessee basketball players were in action in the NBA Friday night as their respective teams, and longtime rivals, tangled against each other on the hardwood.

The 76ers hosted Boston at Wells Fargo Center and protected their home court by capturing a, 122-110, victory.

Tobias Harris had another strong outing for the 76ers as he started and played 41 minutes.

He scored 23 points, while going 10-for-12 from the floor. He was also 3-for-3 from beyond the 3-point arc.

Harris pulled down eight rebounds, dished out three assists and had one block for Philadelphia, which improved to 11-5 with its second consecutive win over the Celtics.

For Boston, Grant Williams started and played more than 11 minutes.

He scored three points, grabbed one rebound and dished out two assists as the Celtics dropped to 8-6.

Williams was 1-for-3 from the floor and made a 3-point shot.

Dallas defeated the Spurs, 122-117, in San Antonio as former Vols’ guard Josh Richardson did not play.

He missed his seventh consecutive game, remaining out due to the NBA’s COVID-19 protocols.

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Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers live stream, TV channel, start time, prediction, odds, how to watch the NBA

The Boston Celtics will meet the Philadelphia 76ers for the second time this week in a back to back with a day off at Wells Fargo Center in Philly.

The Boston Celtics will meet the Philadelphia 76ers for the second time this week in a back to back with a day off at Wells Fargo Center in Philly.

The game on Wednesday was a close one until the last few minutes of the 4th quarter when Philadelphia started to pull away and cover the five-point spread they were dealt. The Celtics will be without Jason Tatum again due to COVID protocols, can Boston get some revenge against the 76ers tonight?

This should be a fantastic matchup between the Celtics and Sixers, here is everything you need to know to stream the NBA action tonight.

Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers

  • When: Friday, January 22
  • Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
  • TV Channel: ESPN, NBCS Boston, NBCS Philadelphia
  • Live Stream: fuboTV (watch for free)

Prediction: I’m going to be rolling with the Boston Celtics tonight, they kept it close until the last few minutes of the game on Wednesday. I think the Celtics have it in them to come out hot tonight and show the Sixers what they have.

Bet: Boston Celtics +4.5

NBA Odds and Betting Lines

NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. Odds last updated Friday at 6:00 p.m. ET.

Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers -4.5

O/U: 221.5

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Denver Nuggets at Phoenix Suns odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Friday’s Denver Nuggets at Phoenix Suns NBA betting odds and lines, with basketball picks, tips and predictions.

The Denver Nuggets (7-7) visit the Phoenix Suns (8-5) at their self-titled arena for a 10 p.m. ET tip-off Friday. Below, we analyze the Nuggets-Suns NBA odds and lines, with picks and predictions.

Denver has been pretty inconsistent over the past two weeks. The Nuggets have alternated wins and losses in their last five games (3-2 ATS), which includes a 119-101 win as 10-point home favorites Tuesday.

If you’re paying attention to the NBA this season, hopefully, you’ve noticed the legitimacy of All-Star Nuggets C Nikola Jokic’s MVP candidacy through the first month. Jokic is averaging a triple-double with 25.1 points, 11.4 rebounds and 10 assists per game (all Denver team highs).

The Suns acquiring future Hall of Fame PG Chris Paul this offseason has taken Phoenix from a probable postseason play-in tournament contender to a team with a chance at hosting a playoff series in the first round.

Paul is fifth in the NBA in assists per game (8.2) and Paul’s floor general capabilities have helped C Deandre Ayton shoot the 13th-highest field-goal percentage (57.8%) in the league, SF Mikal Bridges get the eighth-best offensive rating (132.4) and SG Devin Booker lead the Suns in scoring (22.2 PPG).

Like Denver, the Suns have been inconsistent recently, going 2-3 straight-up (2-3 ATS) in their previous five games. Phoenix’s 106-103 win in Denver New Year’s Day snapped a five-game losing streak (3-2 ATS) to the Nuggets.

Nuggets at Suns: Odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 4:58 p.m. ET.

  • Money line: Nuggets +105 (bet $100 to win $105) | Suns -125 (bet $125 to win $100)
  • Against the spread/ATS: Nuggets +1.5 (-110) | Suns -1.5 (-110)
  • Over/Under: 219.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Nuggets at Suns: Key Injuries

Nuggets

  • SF Michael Porter Jr. (health and safety protocols) questionable

Suns

  • None that alters gambling lines.

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!

Nuggets at Suns: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

Nuggets 114, Suns 108

Money line (ML)

GIMME NUGGETS (+105) for 1 unit. Even though the Suns have a better record, the Nuggets rank higher in net rating this season and Phoenix’s defense is a little overrated.

While the Suns rank fifth in opponent’s points per game, that’s more of a result of their 28th-ranked pace of play and slowing the tempo down helps Phoenix set up its half-court defense. The Suns are 18th in opponent’s field-goal shooting, 12th in defensive rating and 24th in opponent’s free throw per field-goal attempt rate.

Also, Phoenix is a net negative in rebounds per game whereas Denver is a net positive. Finally, most of the Nuggets stunk it up in their first game against Phoenix and I anticipate a bounce-back performance from several of Denver’s role players.

Against the spread (ATS)

PASS ON THE SPREAD. Denver isn’t getting enough points to validate buying insurance for the Nuggets money line.

Over/Under (O/U)

Against my better judgment, I’ll follow the money and I lean OVER 219.5 (-110) for a quarter-unit. According to Pregame.com, nearly 80% of the money is on the Over, steaming it up from the 218.5-point opener.

Like I said above, my read is that Phoenix’s defense is a tad overrated and we’ll get a better showing out of Denver than the first Nuggets-Suns game.

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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NBA media poll: Kevin Durant is the early favorite for MVP

NBA media voters share their top five MVP rankings through the first month of the season anonymously with HoopsHype.

One month into the NBA season, we’ve seen one of the league’s top players return from a serious injury better than ever, a center averaging a triple-double, and other stars elevate their games to a new level.

With that in mind, HoopsHype anonymously polled 15 media members who voted on last year’s awards for their current top five MVP rankings before games played on January 22.

As with the official vote, the top player received 10 points, the second received seven points, the third received five points, the fourth received three points, and the fifth player received one point for each ballot.