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Free NBA Picks Saturday, January 18 and Opening Line Report


by Jason Radowitz - 1/17/2020

Los Angeles Clippers Center Montrezl Harrell

Saturday's NBA slate features some intriguing matchups and interesting value plays in the 11-game slate. The Clippers will take on the red-hot Pelicans after New Orleans ended the Utah Jazz 11-game winning streak, while the Lakers look to get back to their winning ways on the road against the Rockets. If you're looking for value plays, there's one in the 76ers vs. Knicks game after the Knicks were recently blown out by the Suns. Here are the early lean's for Saturday's games.

Clippers @ Pelicans (TBD, TBD)

Brandon Ingram is becoming a star in this league. The Pelicans just pulled off a home, overtime upset against a Jazz team that had won 11 straight games. However, the Clippers are also peaking with four wins in their last five games. The Pelicans last two wins were in overtime on the road, and they'll now be coming home for this game against the Clippers. With the way the Pelicans are playing, I'd take them to cover at home in this one.

Key trends: Pelicans are 9-1-1 ATS in their last 11 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.

Early lean: Pelicans, Over

Bucks @ Nets (+8, 231.5)

Kyrie Irving sat out for 26 games and then threw his teammates under the bus. Don't think that'll sit well with his teammates, while the Bucks are destroying opponents, winning five straight games and have won nine of their last 10 games. The Nets are heading to the deep end. Take the Bucks to win big.

Key trends: Bucks are 8-1 ATS in their last 9 Saturday games.

Early lean: Bucks, Under

Suns @ Celtics (-6.5, TBD)

The Suns absolutely crushed the Knicks on the road. However, as they make their way around the East Coast, it's only going to get harder. The Celtics lost road game to the Bucks after coming back from a solid deficit, but they couldn't finish the deal. The Celtics have lost two straight, but coming home, I don't think the Celtics will lose three straight. Take Boston.

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

Early lean: Celtics, Over

76ers @ Knicks (+4, 220)

The Knicks are a joke. The way they came out against the Suns are laughable. But the 76ers have been awful on the road this season. It's something to consider when taking bets. In reality, Philadelphia to New York isn't much of a road trip, and 76ers should feel somewhat at home. They'll be the much better team, even without Embiid.

Key trends: 76ers are 2-0-2 ATS in their last 4 games playing on 0 days rest.

Early lean: 76ers, Under

Pistons @ Hawks (TBD, TBD)

The Pistons and Hawks are coming off wins, except the Hawks will take on the Spurs before this one. The Hawks are still looking for their 10th win of the season, while the Pistons are just trying to get healthy. Take the Pistons with the extra day of rest in a game you probably won't want to watch.

Key trends: Hawks are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400.

Early lean: Pistons, Over

Raptors @ Timberwolves (TBD, TBD)

Minnesota is really bad this season. Still no Towns, while the Raptors get Marc Gasol back. Minnesota has lost four of their last five games, with the last two coming at home. Home court advantage isn't even a thing for the Timberwolves. Take the Raptors to win by double digits in this one.

Key trends: Raptors are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 road games.

Early lean: Raptors, Over

Cavaliers @ Bulls (TBD, TBD)

We have a bunch of really bad games in the NBA on Saturday. A 12-win team vs a 15-win team. The Bulls are at least coming off a home win against the Wizards, while Cleveland continues their long road trip of losses. Take Chicago as they'll likely defend a little bit better at home and squeeze out the victory.

Key trends: Bulls are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400.

Early lean: Bulls, Over

Magic @ Warriors (-4, 211)

The Warriors were up big on the Nuggets on Thursday and ultimately lost in overtime. The Warriors can't hold a lead. What's new? However, the NBA scheduling is really bad where the Magic have to play five road games on the West in eight days. I'm going to stick with the Magic here, though these games can't be easy for Orlando.

Key trends: Magic are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up loss.

Early lean: Magic, Over

Lakers @ Rockets (TBD, TBD)

We've got the game of the night! Except, Anthony Davis will not be playing. The Lakers have won nine of their last 10 games after taking a 119-118 loss to the Magic at home. The Rockets have lost two straight to teams with losing records and are just 5-5 in their last 10. Take LeBron and the Lakers to win over the Rockets on the road. A little defense will go a long way against the Rockets.

Key trends: Lakers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.

Early lean: Lakers, Under

Kings @ Jazz (-9.5, 221.5)

Utah's 11-game winning streak has come to an end. You know what that means? It's time to start a new one. There's no better way to start a winning streak at home against a 15-win Kings team that has lost three straight home games. If the Kings can't win their home games, you can't expect them to come close and win their road games, especially against the Jazz.

Key trends: Jazz are 8-1 ATS in their last 9 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.

Early lean: Jazz, Under

Trail Blazers @ Thunder (-4, TBD)

Portland is on a two-game winning streak after defeating the Rockets on the road, while the Thunder took a loss to the Raptors earlier. Both teams will play their second game of the back-to-back in this one as the Blazers take on the Mavericks and Thunder take on the Heat. With both teams getting little rest, take the home team with a better track record.

Key trends: Thunder are 7-0 ATS in their last 7 games playing on 0 days rest.

Early lean: Thunder, Under

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