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Free NBA Picks Saturday, January 11 and Opening Line Report


by Jason Radowitz - 1/10/2020

Chris Paul Oklahoma City Thunder

In the seven-game slate for Saturday's NBA action, the main game that NBA fans around the world will watch will be the Thunder at home against the Lakers. It remains unclear whether Anthony Davis will be playing in this game, but after the Thunder's recent performance against the Rockets and recent play overall, things are getting interesting in Oklahoma City. Here are the early leans for Saturday's action .

Timberwolves @ Rockets (TBD, TBD)

Houston was just embarrassed by the Thunder on the road, 113-92. The Timberwolves will be without Karl-Anthony Towns who has a knee injury. The Rockets previously on a three-game winning streak after the emotional loss. Look for the Rockets to take advantage of a Karl-Anthony Towns-less T-Wolves team and start a new winning streak. They're mad after this one.

Key trends: Rockets are 9-4 ATS in their last 13 games following a ATS loss.

Early lean: Rockets, Over

Pelicans @ Celtics (TBD, TBD)

Brandon Ingram is questionable with a sprained pinky. I'll be the first to say it, without Ingram, the Pelicans are toast against the Celtics on the road. The Celtics have lost three straight games with the last one coming on the road against the 76ers. The Celtics will have to turn it around sooner than later and there's no better time to turn it around against a weak western opponent traveling to Boston.

Key trends: Celtics are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games overall.

Early lean: Celtics, Under

Bulls @ Pistons (-3, 216.5)

Something's gotta give with the Bulls. They've lost five straight games and are 3-7 in their last ten while the Pistons are also 3-7 in their last ten. It's a game that can decide who has the worst record in the East. The Pistons just went 1-1 against the Cavs and will now face a Bulls team that really needs a win. However, the Bulls are on the road and have been awful on the road this season. Take the Pistons in the battle of the worst Eastern conference teams.

Key trends:

Early lean: Pistons, Over

Lakers @ Thunder (TBD, TBD)

The Thunder are winning the NBA Championship! Just kidding, but wow have they been good lately. The Thunder just defeated the Rockets at home, 113-92 in Westbrook's return to OKC. The Lakers have won six straight games but Anthony Davis is questionable for this one. The Lakers have had fun defeating bad teams at home. Now they'll head on the road to face one of the hottest teams in basketball. Without Anthony Davis, I'm actually going to give the nod to the Thunder.

Key trends: Thunder are 20-6 ATS in their last 26 games as an underdog.

Early lean: Thunder, Under

76ers @ Mavericks (-2, 223)

No Joel Embiid for the 76ers and no Kristaps Porzingis for the Mavericks. The Sixers have won two straight in the absence of Embiid while the Mavericks took a 107-106 loss to the Nuggets. The Sixers are way worse on the road. They've got most of their wins at home. Take the Mavericks to grab the win late in the 4th quarter and win against the spread.

Key trends: Mavericks are 18-7-1 ATS in their last 26 Saturday games.

Early lean: Mavericks, Under

Cavaliers @ Nuggets (TBD, TBD)

Every year the Nuggets dominate quietly. The Nuggets are no 26-11 and will take on the Eastern Conference's worst at home. Before defeating the Pistons, the Cavs had lost quite a few games. Denver has won three of its last four and will finally be returning home from a long five-game road trip. The Nuggets are deadly at home and will face a Cavs team that does not play well at home or on the road. Take the Nuggets to win big in their first game back home.

Key trends: Cavaliers are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.

Early lean: Nuggets, Under

Bucks @ Trail Blazers (-4.5, 230)

When Carmelo Anthony returned to the NBA and signed with the Trail Blazers, nobody expected much. Carmelo has helped Portland back on track, somewhat. Portland is busy trading wins for losses and played a long in a long road-trip. Portland will return home to face the Bucks in the first game of the homestand. Not the game you'd like for your first game back home. The Bucks will play the third game during their road trip and are 2-1 thus far. The Bucks tend to destroy below .500 teams and that should happen again at Portland.

Key trends: Trail Blazers are 1-6-3 ATS in their last 10 Saturday games.

Early lean: Bucks, Over

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