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Free NBA Picks Wednesday, January 1 and Opening Line Report


by Jason Radowitz - 12/31/2019

LeBron James Los Angeles Lakers

Happy New Year! Most people will be watching the New Year's 6 Bowls in College Football, but for the diehard NBA fans, there's four New Year's Day basketball games to bet on featuring Carmelo Anthony's return to the Garden as a Trail Blazer . Also, the Lakers and Bucks are dealt low-tier teams to begin their 2020 run. The question is if the Lakers and Bucks will be able to cover such hefty spreads. Here's the early leans for the first NBA games in the year 2020.

Magic @ Wizards (TBD,TBD)

The Magic have lost three of their last five games. Their most recent loss came at home to the Atlanta Hawks. That's when you know things are going bad. Aaron Gordon has been out with an injury but should return for this one. The Wizards don't want to hear about any more injuries as half their roster has been plagued with injuries. The Wizards, although unhealthy, still defeated the Miami Heat at home, 123-105. The Wizards have played some high scoring games, and the Magic don't like that. As long as the Wizards can play up-tempo , the Magic will not be able to stick around.

Key trends: Wizards are 9-3-1 ATS in their last 13 games as an underdog of 5.0-10.5.

Early lean: Wizards, Over

Trail Blazers @ Knicks (+3.5, TBD)

Carmelo Anthony makes his return to the Knicks on January 1st! That couldn't have been planned any better. Anthony lit fireworks in the Garden. He was literally the only reason the Knicks were relevant during the entire decade. Portland has struggled recently with four straight losses, with three of them homes games. The Knicks have won two straight on the road and will have a home game. In reality, the Blazers have so much more talent than the Knicks. The line is so low due to the fact that the Knicks won their last two and the Blazers lost their last four. Stick with the Blazers. Lots of value. New Year's Day calls for an under in New York too.

Key trends: Trail Blazers are 21-7 ATS in their last 28 games as a road favorite of 0.5-4.5.

Early lean: Trail Blazers, Under

Timberwolves @ Bucks (TBD, TBD)

The line hasn't come out yet, but I'm honestly afraid to see the line. The Timberwolves have gone 2-8 in their last ten while the Bucks have gone 8-2 in their last ten. The Bucks are arguably the best team in the NBA this season while the Wolves have, at times, looked really bad. If the line is above 13, take the Wolves. If it's under 13, take the Bucks. I'm comfortable taking the Bucks anywhere from -13 to lower at home.

Key trends: Bucks are 8-0 ATS in their last 8 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400.

Early lean: Bucks, Over

Suns @ Lakers (-11, TBD)

Is this the first game ever where both teams don't have an injury to report? The Suns and Lakers have won their last two games after brutal stretches with losing streaks. The Lakers are coming off a game where they blew out the Mavs, 108-95 while the Suns are coming off two wins where they had to scrape their way to get the win. The Suns haven't been playing the best defense and the Lakers should be able to capitalize. They've found their rhythm again.

Key trends: Lakers are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games vs. a team with a losing straight up record.

Early lean: Lakers, Over


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