NBA Picks January 2017 (January 2-8)

A poor third week in December coupled with the fact that time was going to be spent with family and friends between Christmas Day and the New Year meant I decided it was a good time to take a break from the NBA picks. It has been a really difficult start to the season for me and I took a step back when analysing that Houston only lost twice in December and one of those was when I picked them with the points, while another loss was the LA Lakers winning one of their two games in December when I picked against them.

That stung a little and made me wonder if I just needed a re-think with the way I was approaching these games.

We move into January when the NBA starts receiving more attention around the NFL Play Offs and the College Football National Championship Game. Hopefully this month will begin the long turn around for the 2017 season which has opened up disappointingly beginning with the thread for the first week of the New Year.


Wednesday 4th January
Milwaukee Bucks @ New York Knicks Pick: The top half of the Eastern Conference Play Off picture looks like it is going to be locked up in the coming couple of months, but the battle to make the top eight could easily go down to the wire. The Milwaukee Bucks and the New York Knicks will be expecting to be amongst those challenging for a Play Off spot in April, but both will be looking for some consistency ahead of this home and home series against one another.

Recent games have been a big struggle for the Knicks on the Defensive side of the court and it has led to criticisms from the Head Coach. Jeff Hornacek has gone so far as to say he doesn't know if the Knicks are simply incapable of defending better than they have and it will certainly be tested at Madison Square Garden when facing the hot shooting Bucks.

Milwaukee have been scoring at over 50% from the field in their recent games and it is no surprise they have won three of their last four games. They have also been very strong from the three point range which is another area where the Knicks have been struggling as they have slipped to five losses in a row and the home team are expected to miss Kristaps Porzingis in this one too.

The majority of those losses have been on the road, but New York have also been defeated in their last two games at The Garden. The amount of points being given up on the Defensive side of the court is a big concern for New York and Milwaukee have been better on that side of the court in recent games.

Recent seasons have seen Milwaukee match up well with the New York Knicks and I think they are catching them at the right time in this one. I will back the Bucks to cover in this one with a win on the road.


Portland Trail Blazers @ Golden State Warriors Pick: The Golden State Warriors have a very strong 15-2 record at home, but they have struggled against the spread as they have consistently been asked to cover huge numbers at The Oracle Arena. I am going to back them to cover on this occasion though as they face a Portland Trail Blazers squad they have blown out twice already and who will be missing Damian Lillard.

The Warriors have bounced back from blowing a Christmas Day big lead at the Cleveland Cavaliers by winning three in a row, but all have been competitive wins. While they are not worried about being in Play Off mood already, the Warriors have been disappointed by some of their recent efforts and I think that will see them produce a better all around game in this one.

They are facing a Portland team who have looked to stiffen on the Defensive side of the court without Lillard's scoring output to be relied upon. However the Trail Blazers are an underachieving squad of players who have struggled when playing the best teams and were beaten by 16 points by the San Antonio Spurs a few days ago. That means the Trail Blazers have dropped to 6-12 against the spread against teams with a winning record this season and that includes going 0-2 against the spread when facing the Warriors.

The three point Defense has not been as good as the overall performance for the Trail Blazers and they are facing a team that can expose those vulnerabilities very quickly. Golden State should have an edge on the boards and their two previous wins against the Trail Blazers have come by 23 and 45 points this season.

Portland are also 3-9 against the spread in their last 12 games against the Golden State Warriors in this Arena and I will take the home team to cover the big number.


Thursday 5th January
It seems my luck hasn't turned just yet with the games yesterday proving that- how Milwaukee played so badly in the Third Quarter and still won the game, but missed the cover, is beyond belief to be perfectly frank. I didn't hold up much hope for the second pick when the first had that little luck attached to it and instead I was focused on getting things right for Thursday.

Utah Jazz @ Toronto Raptors Pick: The last game the Toronto Raptors played saw them embarrassed at the hands of the San Antonio Spurs, but a return home to face the Utah Jazz is expected to see them bounce back. The sharps have taken the road underdog with the points early in the spread being released, but I think the Raptors can be backed against a Utah team who have a strong record, but who haven't played well as the underdog.

Utah are just 3-7 against the spread as the underdog this season and they are coming off a blow out loss of their own when beaten at the Boston Celtics. For the most part the Defensive side of the court has been looked after by Utah, but they did give up 115 points to the Celtics and one of the concerns has to be the way they dealt with the Boston back court.

Now they are facing the Toronto Raptors who have DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry ready to rediscover their form after a couple of sketchy outings for the Raptors who have lost three of their last four games. Those two players have to be at their best if Toronto are going to get back to winning ways and they are expected to match up well with the Jazz.

That has been the case for Toronto against Utah in recent seasons as they have gone 7-0 against the spread against them and five of those games have been covered as the favourite. A couple of weeks ago the Raptors won by six points in Utah and I think they match that margin in this home game so I will back them to cover here.


Oklahoma City Thunder @ Houston Rockets Pick: Russell Westbrook is doing his best to keep the Oklahoma City Thunder competitive and I think he has a big shout to win the MVP award if he can take this roster to the Play Offs in the Western Conference. There is some talent left in Oklahoma City, but they go as far as Westbrook can carry them and I do think this is a team who would have a losing record without him.

It is going to be tough for Westbrook to produce another strong day on a back to back while playing the Houston Rockets who have a pest in Patrick Beverley that loves doing the Defensive work to try and slow down the Point Guard. Beverley is expected to play in this one having missed a couple of games and that is going to be a challenge for Westbrook on the back to back having dug deep in the loss to Charlotte on Wednesday.

Overall this is going to be a big challenge for the Thunder who are facing a hot-shooting Houston Rockets team with a five game winning run behind them. Houston are shooting very well from the field and have the three point shooting that should find the room to make big plays in this one with the Thunder having some issues Defending from that range.

The hope for the Thunder has to be dominating the boards and hoping that can give them enough second chance points to keep this close. However Oklahoma City have not been as strong as an underdog as they perhaps should be and the Thunder are 0-8 against the spread in the last eight against the Houston Rockets.

The Rockets are averaging 124 points per game in their last five games and I think they will have too much for Oklahoma City in this game. It is a big number, but Houston are scoring enough to cover and I will back them to do so.


San Antonio Spurs @ Denver Nuggets Pick: The San Antonio Spurs were beaten in Overtime in their last road game, but they bounced back by embarrassing one of the top Eastern Conference teams, the Toronto Raptors, at home a couple of days later. Now they go back out on the road in a bid to knock off the Denver Nuggets and stay with the Golden State Warriors at the top of the Western Conference.

Outside of that loss to the Atlanta Hawks, the San Antonio Spurs have won five of their last six games and all of those wins have come by double digit margins. They have to be excited about playing this Denver Nuggets Defense which has been criticised by the Head Coach and that can't be a surprise having allowed 110 points per game over the course of the season and at least 120 points in each of their last three games.

The Nuggets have been scoring freely though and that makes them a danger when it comes to spreads because there is always a feeling they can do enough to stick with a team. They shoot well from the three point mark as well as being able to get into the paint and have success on the boards, but the rebounding battle will be a tougher one than normal for Denver as San Antonio are strong on the glass too.

I like San Antonio because of the professionalism they do tend to display and the manner in which they have been winning games of late. They are 8-0 against the spread in their last eight games against a team with a losing record while they are 5-2 against the spread on the road against a team with a losing record.

The Spurs are also 20-7 against the spread in their last twenty-seven games in Denver and I think they make enough stops on the Defensive side of the ball to get back to winning ways here having lost last April in their last visit to Colorado. It is a number that can be dangerous, but I expect San Antonio can keep up their current run of winning games with some margin behind them.


Friday 6th January
The Oklahoma City Thunder fought back from a huge deficit in the Fourth Quarter to earn the cover and prevent the sweep of the picks, but at least it was a winning Thursday to move the update in a positive direction. I hope Friday can follow suit.

Minnesota Timberwolves @ Washington Wizards Pick: We have not yet reached the halfway mark of the regular season in the 2017 NBA season so most teams won't be in a panicked state regarding their positions in the Conferences. That is definitely the case for the Washington Wizards who are currently Number 9 in the Eastern Conference but in touch with the teams in the bottom half of the Play Off standings.

The Wizards would like to get a little more consistency in their play especially on the road, but they have won eight in a row at home and the team have gone 8-0 against the spread in those games. Being back on home court will give them confidence they can snap a two game losing run having made a quick visit to Texas to lose to the Houston Rockets and the Dallas Mavericks, although there was a bit of finger pointing between the players at the effort in the loss to the lowly Mavericks.

Those players have to get on the same page to make sure they don't drop another silly game when playing the Minnesota Timberwolves who have struggled mightily with their own consistency. There is no doubting the talent in the roster, but Tom Thibodeau has had a hard time getting the best out of his players although he has at least got something going on the Defensive side of the court in recent games.

It hasn't helped Minnesota win games because they don't seem to find the balance between the Offense and Defense that they need and the manner of their defeat to the Philadelphia 76ers hurt the team. Facing a team who have been considerably better at home is going to be tough for Minnesota as they get set to return home tomorrow and I do think they will just not be able to keep up with Washington.

The Timberwolves are 2-9 against the spread in their last 11 games in Washington and I will take the home team to cover the number.


Philadelphia 76ers @ Boston Celtics Pick: The Philadelphia 76ers have the second worst record in the NBA this season, but they have been far more competitive than in recent seasons. On Friday they head to the Boston Celtics who might be considered the closest challenger to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference and the layers are expecting a big win for the Celtics who have been asked to cover 12.5 points.

There is a clear differential in the talent levels of these teams, but I think the 76ers can be backed with the points to at least keep this game competitive. They are coming into the game with two wins behind them which will give a young roster some confidence, while the Boston Celtics players could be thinking about potential trade moves that could be affecting their own futures.

Jae Crowder admitted he wasn't happy with the home fans when they cheered an opponent who is rumoured to be a trade target for Boston and that hearing those cheers made him play better. It certainly sparked something as the Celtics have now won four of their last five games, but this is a big number and it has to be noted that Boston are 0-3 against the spread this season when favoured by 9 points or higher.

The Celtics are also 1-5 against the spread when hosting a team with a losing record and I do like the fact that Philadelphia have only lost 2 of their last 14 games by a number that would be enough to cover this spread. A young group of players will be looking to score enough to stay with the Boston Celtics in this one although I do think they will have to weather a couple of big runs from the home team.

However, I do like the amount of points the road underdog are getting in this one and will back them to stay within it.

MY PICKS: 04/01 Milwaukee Bucks - 1.5 Points @ 1.91 William Hill (1 Unit)
04/01 Golden State Warriors - 15.5 Points @ 1.91 Paddy Power (1 Unit)
05/01 Toronto Raptors - 5.5 Points @ 1.95 Coral (1 Unit)
05/01 Houston Rockets - 8.5 Points @ 1.91 Paddy Power (1 Unit)
05/01 San Antonio Spurs - 7 Points @ 1.91 Paddy Power (1 Unit)
06/01 Washington Wizards - 5 Points @ 1.91 Ladbrokes (1 Unit)
06/01 Philadelphia 76ers + 12.5 Points @ 1.91 William Hill (1 Unit)

January 2-8 Update: 4-3, + 0.68 Units

December Final: 19-23, - 5.51 Units
November Final: 24-25-1, - 2.92 Units
October Final: 8-9, - 1.72 Units

Season 2017: 32-34-1, - 4.64 Units

Final Season 2016: 150-143-7, - 5.37 Units

Final Season 2015: 109-108-5, - 6.91 Units

Final Season 2014: 58-72-1, - 16.86 Units

Final Season 2013: 105-93-3, + 10.49 Units

Final Season 2012: 79-53-1, + 27.48 Units

NBA Picks January 2014

It has been a strange couple of months in the NBA season with teams already talking about tanking to improve their position for the next draft, while injuries to star players throughout the League have made it a disappointing start for the fans that spend so much to see their teams play.

The likes of Derrick Rose and Al Horford are lost for the season, while Russell Westbrook and Kobe Bryant will be missing significant time. The loss of Bryant hurt the Lakers, but their whole rotation has been ripped apart by injuries and there are suggestions that they are going to blow up this season by trading away Pau Gasol to prevent cap issues.

We usually have to wait until the All-Star Game before teams really get into Play Off mode, but some are already looking beyond that to next season.


While the season has been tough for the fans to digest, my first couple of months of picks have also fallen down and December proved to be another tough month. Some of those were bad picks, but I hope to get a better lock on the games going forward as we enter 2014.


January 2nd
New York Knicks @ San Antonio Spurs Pick: The New York Knicks have been so bad this season and San Antonio are unlikely to lose focus in this one despite having a big game against the LA Clippers next on deck. Carmelo Anthony may be a little rusty and the Spurs could build a big win behind hot three point shooting which they are capable of, especially against the Knicks defense which has struggled from that range.


Memphis Grizzlies @ Phoenix Suns Pick: Phoenix are coming off a hugely important win for their own confidence and I am hoping that doesn't lead to over-confidence in this game. The Suns have been playing some very good basketball over the last two months and look a team that can make the Play Offs and I think they avenge their loss to Memphis from last month.


January 15th
I needed to take a few days off from the NBA as I haven't really got a good handle of the way teams are approaching games in the early part of the season, but I have been keeping tabs on those games. Taking a mini-break during the course of the season has helped in the last two years that I have been making picks on the NBA here, so I hope to have the same type of resurgence in this one.

Miami Heat @ Washington Wizards Pick: The Miami Heat have had four days to think about their last two losses, but that has also meant their rotation is healthier in time for this game. The Heat visited the White House on Tuesday and the reigning Champions are now 4-0 against the spread after that visit.

With the Wizards struggling at home and LeBron James' numbers being questioned, I expect a big performance from Miami in this one.


Toronto Raptors @ Boston Celtics Pick: Boston have been struggling in recent games and there is every chance they could be looking ahead to the return of Rajon Rondo in this game that could keep their focus from Toronto. The Raptors have a poor record here, but have been playing well over the last month and I expect them to be too strong for the Celtics.


Memphis Grizzlies @ Milwaukee Bucks Pick: My biggest concern in this game is that Memphis are coming off an important win over the Oklahoma City Thunder last night, but they know they have to keep winning if they are to get back into the post-season in the Western Conference. Milwaukee are struggling for points and those aren't easier to come by in this game so I look for the Grizzlies to come through with a cover.


January 16th
Atlanta Hawks v Brooklyn Nets Pick: You can't always tell how a team will react to playing abroad in what is a special game in front of a different country. However, Brooklyn have a decent record against Atlanta in recent games against them, while the favourite is 11-5 against the spread in games played outside of North America.


Oklahoma City Thunder @ Houston Rockets Pick: The Rockets had to come back from a big hole to beat New Orleans last night so there is an aspect of tiredness that could creep in to their game. However, Houston have been playing with more confidence than Oklahoma City and I like them to get a measure of revenge for the blow out earlier this season and win this one.


January 19th
I was absolutely stunned by the collapse of the Houston Rockets in their loss on Thursday night with the second worst second half scoring output in the history of the NBA. That kind of summed up the poor luck I have had so far with a couple of teams missing the cover by half a point and then epic collapses taking place all over the shop.

LA Lakers @ Toronto Raptors Pick: The Toronto Raptors have been playing some decent basketball of late and they should be too strong for the LA Lakers in this early game, especially with this being the middle of games against the Celtics and the Bulls for the Lakers.


Denver Nuggets @ Phoenix Suns Pick: There has been a slide in form since Eric Bledsoe has been missing for the Phoenix Suns, but they have beaten Denver twice already this season, while the Nuggets are just 4-10 against the spread in Phoenix. The home court advantage may prove enough for Phoenix to sneak the win.


January 21st
Boston Celtics @ Miami Heat Pick: It has been a long road trip for the Heat, but I do think the green shirts of Boston will at least see them pick up their game in this one. Dwyane Wade returning will only help, but they need to improve their defensive effort to cover this spread.


Portland Trail Blazers @ Oklahoma City Thunder Pick: It was a bad defeat for Portland yesterday, but they have shown they are capable of winning road games against the best teams with wins at Dallas and San Antonio during this road trip. They may be able to keep this close against an Oklahoma City Thunder team that is possibly looking ahead to a road game at the Spurs tomorrow night.


January 25th
Atlanta Hawks @ Milwaukee Bucks Pick: They may be the worst team in the NBA, by some distance too, but the Milwaukee Bucks are rarely in a position like this where they can earn back to back wins at home. Milwaukee have struggled but Atlanta are short-handed and may struggle to get up for the worst team with players looking to regain health and I will take the points.


Washington Wizards @ Utah Jazz Pick: The layers may be putting too much stock in the fact that Washington had to play last night and Utah have had a few days to get ready for this game as I don't understand why the Wizards are the underdog. If they keep up their defensive intensity, I think Washington win this one.

MY PICKS: 02/01 San Antonio Spurs - 11.5 Points @ 1.95 Pinnacle (1 Unit)
02/01 Phoenix Suns - 5.5 Points @ 2.00 Pinnacle (1 Unit)
15/01 Miami Heat - 6 Points @ 2.00 Paddy Power (1 Unit)
15/01 Toronto Raptors - 4 Points @ 2.00 Pinnacle (1 Unit)
15/01 Memphis Grizzlies - 5.5 Points @ 1.92 Ladbrokes (1 Unit)
16/01 Brooklyn Nets - 2 Points @ 1.95 Bet Fred (1 Unit)
16/01 Houston Rockets - 2 Points @ 1.92 Paddy Power (1 Unit)
19/01 Toronto Raptors - 9 Points @ 1.92 Ladbrokes (1 Unit)
19/01 Phoenix Suns -1 Point @ 1.97 Pinnacle (1 Unit)
21/01 Miami Heat - 9.5 Points @ 1.92 Paddy Power (1 Unit)
21/01 Portland Trail Blazers + 6.5 Points @ 2.00 Bet Victor (1 Unit)
25/01 Milwaukee Bucks + 2.5 Points @ 1.95 Pinnacle (1 Unit)
25/01 Washington Wizards @ 2.05 Pinnacle (1 Unit)

January Update: 2-9, - 7.08 Units

December 2013 Final: 8-11, - 3.42 Units
November 2013 Final: 8-7-1, + 0.82 Units
October 2013 Final: 0-4, - 4 Units

Season 2014: 16-22-1, - 6.60 Units
Final Season 2013: 105-93-3, + 10.49 Units
Final Season 2012: 79-53-1, + 27.48 Units

NBA Picks January 2013

The first two months of the season have seen some familiar things, for example the San Antonio Spurs/Miami Heat/Oklahoma City Thunder being amongst the leading teams in their respective Conferences.

We have also seen the regularly slow-starting Boston Celtics, while Los Angeles seems to have flipped on its head with the Clippers looking dominant and the Lakers struggling to get things going. The last month will at least seen some positives for the Lakers as they have finally begun to look like the team they were expected to be in the off-season and they are beginning to move up the Western Conference standings.

The biggest disappointments so far have to be the Philadelphia 76ers and the Dallas Mavericks as injuries have taken their toll on their squads and both are going to be in a fight to make the Play Offs if they don't produce a better January.

We are still some six weeks until the All-Star Game, a game that represents a turning point for some of the better teams as they start getting themselves into Play Off mode, but this is still an important time for the not so good teams to at least get some momentum and keep wins ticking along. No one wants to put themselves in a position where they need long winning streaks in March and April to make the Play Offs.


January 1st
Philadelphia 76ers @ LA Lakers Pick: I think this is a good spot for the LA Lakers to finally get back above 0.500 as they can fully focus on the game with a couple of rest days coming up before a 5 game run against some of the best teams in the Western Conference.

The Lakers are on a 6-1 run and they are playing a Philadelphia team that have lost 8 of their last 9 on the road and who have to be a little weary during their current long road trip.

There seems to be too much scoring power in the Lakers Offense at the moment to think the 76ers will be able to contain them in my opinion.


January 2nd
New Orleans Hornets @ Houston Rockets Pick: The New Orleans Hornets put in a big effort last night before coming up short against the Atlanta Hawks and they have struggled in this spot previously. In fact, the Hornets are just 2-6 straight up in the second of back to back nights play and they have lost their last 3 against the spread.

Houston continue to churn out a lot of points in recent games and that makes me believe they will be too good for the Hornets and will be able to pull away in this game.

The spot is a good one for the Rockets who have been as productive at home as the Hornets have been poor on the road.


Brooklyn Nets @ Oklahoma City Thunder Pick: I backed against the Brooklyn Nets when they travelled to face one of the Western Conference powerhouses on New Year's Eve and they didn't show anything in that game to prevent me from backing the Oklahoma City Thunder in this one.

The Thunder are off a couple of blow out wins and I think there is every chance the Nets are just looking forward to getting back to the East where they will travel to face Washington and then host Sacramento, two much more winnable contests for them.

Oklahoma City look like a team with too much scoring power and while it won't be the 30 point beating the Nets took from San Antonio, I do like the Thunder to cover.


January 7th
Boston Celtics @ New York Knicks Pick: Being a Knicks fans means it can be hard to let my head rule my heart, but giving up 6 points to Boston who have the clear edge at Point Guard looks too much for me.

Boston have just picked up a couple of positive results in their last couple of games and they have a good record at Madison Square Garden. I think the Celtics will give New York a hard time, particularly with Avery Bradley giving them more defensive energy, and they should be able to keep this close.


San Antonio Spurs @ New Orleans Hornets Pick: The Spurs have beaten the Hornets twice this season, but only by a combined 9 points yet I do like them to win this one and cover the spread.

New Orleans struggle to score points Offensively and I think San Antonio have enough depth to out-score this Hornets team. It also seems a better spot for San Antonio as they face a team that put in a huge effort to eventually knock off the Dallas Mavericks last time out. The Spurs also have a couple of days to spare before they meet the LA Lakers.

I just see too much scoring from the Spurs against a New Orleans averaging 91.7 points per game.


January 8th
Miami Heat @ Indiana Pacers Pick: The Miami Heat are probably not going to really pick up the pace until after the All Star Game next month, but they should be fully motivated in this one against the Indiana Pacers.

We saw how chippy the Play Off series between these sides was and I think the Heat are too athletic for the Pacers. The penetration that LeBron and Wade can get should open up the three point range and as long as Miami concentrate defensively, I think they cover this spread, although it could be close throughout.


January 9th
Milwaukee Bucks @ Chicago Bulls Pick: I am backing the Chicago Bulls in this game as they are well matched against the Bucks and I do think they will get a measure of respect back after blowing a 27 point lead in their loss against Milwaukee most recently.

Chicago have opened up 2013 in good form, winning at Miami, while Milwaukee have an awful record when playing on the second of back to back nights play.

Tiredness could set in for the Bucks as the game goes on and I think the Bulls will do enough to cover the 5.5 points.


January 22nd
Orlando Magic @ Detroit Pistons Pick: I have taken another couple of weeks off from the NBA picks as it was a tough start to the month and I felt I wasn't capping things correctly.

I am back with a couple of picks today, the first being the Detroit Pistons to cover the spread against the Orlando Magic. Both of these teams have losing records, but momentum is certainly with the Pistons and I think they can roll to another win on their home court and progress beyond 0.500 that they are at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

Confidence is higher in the Pistons locker room I would feel, and Orlando could easily be looking to getting back home where they host Toronto and Detroit in the coming week. With the Pistons moving on to face Chicago and Miami, they should be focused on picking up a win here to build on their recent run ahead of facing two of the better teams in the East.


Philadelphia 76ers @ Milwaukee Bucks Pick: Firing Scott Skiles seems to have fired up the Milwaukee Bucks and I think they are in a good spot to cover the spread against an under-achieving Philadelphia squad.

The 76ers put in a huge effort at San Antonio yesterday and they have lost their last 7 games when playing the second of back to back nights scheduled, losing those games by 13 points per game.

Milwaukee have been playing inspired basketball under Jim Boylan and they are scoring plenty of points- neither side has another game scheduled until later in the week so should fully concentrate on this one... The difference may be the fatigue, both mental and physical, that Philadelphia could be suffering from their efforts last night and so I like the Bucks to cover.


January 23rd
LA Lakers @ Memphis Grizzlies Pick: It's been a pretty crappy season for the LA Lakers and it may just get a little worse before it gets better for them as they visit the tough Memphis Grizzlies.

Memphis have struggled Offensively, failing to exceed 85 points in 6 consecutive games, but they are facing a team in disarray and have a real chance to put a marker down for their ambitions in the Western Conference.

The Lakers are completing a road trip here before heading back to the Staples Center and they may just be looking ahead to that time where they can rediscover some semblance of form. Instead, I'll take the Grizzlies to extend their road woes with a win and a cover.


January 24th
Toronto Raptors @ Orlando Magic Pick: I am taking the awful Orlando Magic in this one, because the spot looks a good one for the team as they are facing Toronto off a couple of big performances against the LA Lakers and the Miami Heat.

Toronto beat the Lakers and then took the Heat to Overtime last night and there is little doubt that they could be flat in this one against an opponent they won't really care about. The Raptors also return to Canada after this one.

Orlando have been terrible Defensively in their last 14 games so it is a risky proposition, but it looks an appealing spot to ignore.


January 25th
Milwaukee Bucks @ Cleveland Cavaliers Pick: The Milwaukee Bucks look the better team in this one and Cleveland could have a slight letdown following a good win over the Boston Celtics.

The Bucks have the back court duo of Brandon Jennings and Monta Ellis that could win the battle with Kyrie Irving and that could prove to be the difference. Milwaukee have also dominated the recent series between the teams and look worth backing to cover the spread.


Houston Rockets @ New Orleans Hornets Pick: Both teams have been struggling Defensively while proving more than capable of performing Offensively and that should lead to a high-scoring game between them in this one.

New Orleans are looking to improve Defensively, but that won't be easy against this Houston team that is very productive through James Harden. There is every chance both teams score triple digits in this one and that should lead to the total points being surpassed.


Utah Jazz @ LA Lakers Pick: I like the Utah Jazz to at least keep this game close as the LA Lakers are still trying to get on the same page with one another after yet another 4 game losing streak.

Rumours are that Dwight Howard and Kobe Bryant got into some sort of altercation in a team meeting on Wednesday and the All-Star Center is set to miss this game after re-injuring a shoulder in the loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.

The Jazz have also won the last 4 in the series between the teams, including 3 of their last 4 at the Staples Center. There is every chance they can become the latest team to expose the poor Defensive schemes used by the Lakers and keep this close at the very least.


January 27th
Miami Heat @ Boston Celtics Pick: Miami are definitely playing the better basketball of the two teams at the moment, but that form can go out of the window as this rivalry will inspire Boston to up their own game.

However, the Heat have the added motivation of performing at a high level for Ray Allen, who will be making his first return to Boston since leaving in the off-season, and we have seen how Miami reacted to LeBron James' first game back at Cleveland.

I would not at all be surprised if Allen sinks a couple of big threes to ice the game late on and I like the a motivated Heat in this one.


Oklahoma City Thunder @ LA Lakers Pick: Oklahoma City have looked a little weary as their 6 game road trip comes to an end at the Staples Center, but they have dominated the LA Lakers in recent games in the series and I think they carry that on here.

I know the Lakers looked better in their win against Utah, but this is the team with the best record in the NBA that they are facing and I think their defensive schemes will be pushed to the extremes.

This game is arguably more important for Oklahoma City to prove to the NBA that they are the real deal in the Western Conference and I think the win and cover.


New Orleans Hornets @ Memphis Grizzlies Pick: The Memphis Grizzlies have picked up some real momentum in recent games and they have found their Offensive groove, which doesn't bode well for teams taking on one of the better Defensive teams in the NBA.

With that momentum, the Grizzlies should take care of the New Orleans Hornets who have come off the boil following 7 wins from 9 games and they struggled to score points against Houston last time out.

Memphis have dominated the recent series and should be able to win the game and cover the spread.


January 28th
Indiana Pacers @ Denver Nuggets Pick: I've had a terrible week, but hoping the next two picks will turn things around when it comes to the basketball picks.

I like the Denver Nuggets to cover in this game against Indiana as the Pacers are concluding a four game Western Conference road trip and may be focusing on heading back home.

It is already tough to play at the Pepsi Center against this Denver team that has plenty of Offense and that could be the difference again.


Houston Rockets @ Utah Jazz Pick: I do like the way the Houston Rockets play, but this is a really tough road game for them against the Utah Jazz and I believe the home team will have a little too much and win the game and cover the spread.

The status of Gordon Hayward is a concern for the home team, but they have been very solid in front of their own fans all season, while Houston have recently come off a long losing run and may not be quite ready to win here.

There could be a lot of Play Off implications resting on which of these teams wins the season series, which stands at 1-1 at the moment, but Utah have been solid when hosting Houston in recent games and should be a little too good again.


No more picks this month after a terrible run of form, although my frustrations just boiled over after watching the way Denver screwed the pick... Andre Iguodala decides easy lay ups are no longer for him as the Nuggets are outscored 19-6 in final 6 minutes. It wasn't just the fact he missed easy buckets, he then misses all FOUR free throws only to then score his one free throw with 0.4 seconds left to win the game.

I feel I have lost my edge a little this last week and I am not entirely sure why, although teams blowing big leads have just about got the better of me (Denver and Milwaukee just two off the top of my head that had double digit leads by the middle of the third quarter and won by 1 and lost by 3 respectively).

Some of the picks felt and looked right, but the players failed to perform (how did the Heat lose to Rondo-less Boston and Oklahoma City lose to the terrible LA Lakers?)

The season has still been positive but this last week makes me think it is time to take a break and just follow the games before getting back involved. Will be back probably just the week prior to the All-Star game for February picks.


MY PICKS: 01/01 LA Lakers - 8.5 Points @ 1.92 Ladbrokes (1 Unit)
02/01 Houston Rockets - 9.5 Points @ 1.92 Paddy Power (1 Unit)
02/01 Oklahoma City Thunder - 9.5 Points @ 1.92 Bet Victor (1 Unit)
07/01 Boston Celtics + 6 Points @ 1.95 Pinnacle (1 Unit)
07/01 San Antonio Spurs - 8 Points @ 1.95 Pinnacle (1 Unit)
08/01 Miami Heat - 2.5 Points @ 1.95 Pinnacle (1 Unit)
09/01 Chicago Bulls - 5.5 Points @ 1.95 Pinnacle (1 Unit)
22/01 Detroit Pistons - 5 Points @ 1.92 Ladbrokes (1 Unit)
22/01 Milwaukee Bucks - 6.5 Points @ 1.95 Pinnacle (1 Unit)
23/01 Memphis Grizzlies - 4 Points @ 1.95 Pinnacle (1 Unit)
24/01 Orlando Magic - 4 Points @ 1.95 Pinnacle (1 Unit)
25/01 Milwaukee Bucks - 4 Points @ 1.95 Pinnacle (1 Unit)
25/01 New Orleans Hornets-Houston Rockets Over 200.5 Points @ 2.00 Pinnacle (1 Unit)
25/01 Utah Jazz + 5 Points @ 1.95 Pinnacle (1 Unit)
27/01 Miami Heat - 3.5 Points @ 1.92 Ladbrokes (1 Unit)
27/01 Oklahoma City Thunder - 3 Points @ 1.92 Paddy Power (1 Unit)
27/01 Memphis Grizzlies - 7.5 Points @ 2.00 Pinnacle (1 Unit)
28/01 Denver Nuggets - 5.5 Points @ 1.95 Pinnacle (1 Unit)
28/01 Utah Jazz - 3.5 Points @ 1.95 Pinnacle (1 Unit)

January Update: 5-14, - 9.31 Units

December Final: 17-7-1, + 9.19 Units

November Final: 13-8-1, + 8.03 Units

Season 2013: 30-15-2, + 17.22 Units
Season 2012: 79-53-1, + 27.48 Units

NBA Basketball January Picks

I will use this post to put up any picks I make in the NBA over the course of the next month. Due to time constraints (especially when I get back to work), I won't always have time to post full previews for games or even my reason behind my selections.

I will try and make it clearer in the 'My Picks' section to show which day I am picking teams, especially considering the short season means teams will have plenty of games going on.

January 2nd
Atlanta Hawks @ Miami Heat Pick and Preview (http://goonersguide.com/football-pick-12869-Atlanta-Hawks-at-Miami-Heat.htm)

Orlando Magic @ Detroit Pistons Pick and Preview (http://goonersguide.com/football-pick-12868-Orlando-Magic-at-Detroit-Pistons.htm)

Toronto Raptors @ New York Knicks Pick and Preview (http://goonersguide.com/football-pick-12870-Toronto-Raptors-at-New-York-Knicks.htm)

January 4th
Phoenix Suns @ Dallas Mavericks Pick and Preview (http://goonersguide.com/football-pick-12885-Phoenix-Suns-at-Dallas-Mavericks.htm)

Sacramento Kings @ Denver Nuggets Pick and Preview (http://goonersguide.com/football-pick-12886-Sacramento-Kings-at-Denver-Nuggets.htm)

January 5th
Dallas Mavericks @ San Antonio Spurs Pick and Preview (http://goonersguide.com/football-pick-12888-Dallas-Mavericks-at-San-Antonio-Spurs.htm)

LA Lakers @ Portland Trail Blazers Pick and Preview (http://goonersguide.com/football-pick-12889-LA-Lakers-at-Portland.htm)

January 6th
Denver Nuggets @ New Orleans Hornets Pick and Preview (http://goonersguide.com/football-pick-12899-Denver-Nuggets-at-New-Orleans-Hornets.htm)

Cleveland Cavaliers @ Minnesota Timberwolves Pick and Preview (http://goonersguide.com/football-pick-12902-Cleveland-Cavaliers-at-Minnesota-T-Wolves.htm)

New Jersey Nets @ Toronto Raptors Pick and Preview (http://goonersguide.com/football-pick-12908-New-Jersey-Nets-at-Toronto-Raptors.htm)

January 10th
Dallas Mavericks @ Detroit Pistons Pick and Preview (http://goonersguide.com/football-pick-12935-Dallas-Mavericks-at-Detroit-Pistons.htm)

Chicago Bulls @ Minnesota Timberwolves Pick and Preview (http://goonersguide.com/football-pick-12936-Chicago-Bulls-at-Minnesota-T-Wolves.htm)

Cleveland Cavaliers @ Utah Jazz Pick and Preview (http://goonersguide.com/football-pick-12937-Cleveland-Cavaliers-at-Utah-Jazz.htm)

January 11th
LA Lakers @ Utah Jazz Pick and Preview (http://goonersguide.com/football-pick-12944-LA-Lakers-at-Utah-Jazz.htm)

Orlando Magic @ Portland Trail Blazers Pick and Preview (http://goonersguide.com/football-pick-12945-Orlando-Magic-at-Portland.htm)

January 18th
San Antonio Spurs @ Orlando Magic Pick: I like the Orlando Magic to cover the spread tonight for the following reasons:


First, I have no idea how San Antonio will be able to raise their game after blowing a huge first half lead against the Miami Heat last night and getting demolished in the second half.


Second, the Spurs have been struggling in the road going back to last season and they are 1-11 against the spread in their last 12 games on the road.


Third, San Antonio are just 2-7 against the spread in their last 9 games on the back end of back to back nights play. Add the emotional downer they are likely to be on, and this could be extended tonight.


Fourth, Orlando are 4-1 against the spread in their last 5 games at home against the visiting Spurs.


Portland Trail Blazers @ Atlanta Hawks Pick: I am also going to back the Atlanta Hawks to cover the spread in their game tonight for the following reasons:


First, Atlanta have actually won their last 3 home games against the Portland Trail Blazers and the spread looks small enough that a win should enable them to cover again (famous last words?)


Second, Portland have struggled on the road compared to at the Rose Garden, and they are just 2-8 against the spread in their last 10 road games.


Third, the Hawks are 11-2 straight up in their last 13 games as the favourite.


January 25th
Milwaukee Bucks @ Houston Rockets Pick and Preview (http://goonersguide.com/football-pick-13045-Milwaukee-Bucks-at-Houston-Rockets.htm)

January 28th
New York Knicks @ Houston Rockets Pick and Preview (http://goonersguide.com/football-pick-13068-New-York-Knicks-at-Houston-Rockets.htm)

LA Lakers @ Milwaukee Bucks Pick and Preview (http://goonersguide.com/football-pick-13069-LA-Lakers-at-Milwaukee-Bucks.htm)

January 30th
Orlando Magic @ Philadelphia 76ers Pick and Preview (http://goonersguide.com/football-pick-13075-Orlando-Magic-at-Philadelphia-76ers.htm)

San Antonio Spurs @ Memphis Grizzlies Pick and Preview (http://goonersguide.com/football-pick-13074-San-Antonio-Spurs-at-Memphis-Grizzlies.htm)


MY PICKS: 02/01 Miami Heat - 9.5 Points @ 1.92 Ladbrokes (2 Units)
02/01 Orlando Magic - 3 Points @ 1.92 Ladbrokes (2 Units)
02/01 New York Knicks - 8 Points @ 1.95 Pinnacle (2 Units)
04/01 Dallas Mavericks - 8 Points @ 1.92 Ladbrokes (2 Units)
04/01 Denver Nuggets - 11.5 Points @ 1.92 Pinnacle (2 Units)
05/01 Dallas Mavericks + 3 Points @ 1.92 Paddy Power (2 Units)
05/01 Portland Trail Blazers - 3.5 Points @ 1.95 Pinnacle (2 Units)
06/01 Denver Nuggets - 4.5 Points @ 1.95 Pinnacle (2 Units)
06/01 Minnesota Timberwolves - 7 Points @ 1.92 Ladbrokes (2 Units)
06/01 Toronto Raptors - 6 Points @ 1.92 Ladbrokes (2 Units)
10/01 Dallas Mavericks - 6.5 Points @ 1.95 Pinnacle (2 Units)
10/01 Chicago Bulls - 6.5 Points @ 1.95 Pinnacle (2 Units)
10/01 Utah Jazz - 5.5 Points @ 1.95 Pinnacle (2 Units)
11/01 LA Lakers - 2 Points @ 2.00 Pinnacle (2 Units)
11/01 Portland Trail Blazers - 3.5 Points @ 2.00 Pinnacle (2 Units)
18/01 Orlando Magic - 5.5 Points @ 1.95 Pinnacle (2 Units)
18/01 Atlanta Hawks - 2 Points @ 1.95 Pinnacle (2 Units)
25/01 Houston Rockets - 4 Points @ 1.92 Ladbrokes (2 Units)
28/01 Houston Rockets - 6.5 Points @ 1.95 Pinnacle (2 Units)
28/01 LA Lakers - 4.5 Points @ 1.92 Victor Chandler (2 Units)
30/01 Philadelphia 76ers - 6.5 Points @ 1.90 Pinnacle (2 Units)
30/01 Memphis Grizzlies - 6 Points @ 1.95 Pinnacle (2 Units)




January Update: 10-10, - 1.12 Units