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Free NBA Picks Wednesday, January 8 and Opening Line Report


by Jason Radowitz - 1/7/2020

Kyle Lowry Toronto Raptors

There are nine games on the slate for Wednesday's NBA action. Seven of the nine games on the slate feature at least one team that won't have a chance at making the playoffs this year. The two exciting games to watch will be the Heat against the Pacers and the Nuggets against the Mavericks. For the other seven games on the slate, the job of picking teams against the spread just got a little harder. Can the poor teams cover, or will the dominant teams blow the bad teams out? Here's the early lean for January 8.

Raptors @ Hornets (-4, 208.5)

The Raptors are depleted. They'll be without Marc Gasol, Pascal Siakam, Norman Powell and potentially Fred VanVleet. Yet, with a lineup featuring Kyle Lowry and Serge Ibaka, I'm still not worried. The Hornets are 3-7 in their last ten games and allow teams to score an average of 111 points per game. Due to these injuries, the line will favor the Raptors on the road.

Key trends: Hornets are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 home games.

Early lean: Raptors, Under

Heat @ Pacers (TBD, TBD)

Miami is really struggling on the road as of late. The Heat's last two road games were 20-point losses to the Magic and Wizards. The Pacers will be without Malcolm Brogdon but T.J. Warren has really stepped up his game with his absence. The Heat are two different teams at home and on the road. The Heat are unstoppable home, but very stoppable on the road. Go with the Pacers here.

Key trends: Pacers are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games following a straight up win.

Early lean: Pacers, Under

Spurs @ Celtics (TBD, TBD)

The Spurs played the Bucks in back-to-back games in a home and away two days apart. Each team took their home game. The Spurs, after playing the Bucks twice, will now have to travel on the road to Boston for this one. The Celtics just lost a defensive battle to the Wizards, 99-94, but before that were on a three-game winning streak. Look for the Celtics to regroup against a tired Spurs team.

Key trends: Celtics are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games following a straight up loss.

Early lean: Celtics, Under

Wizards @ Magic (-5.5, 226)

The Wizards have won three of their last five games, which were all at home. The Magic have played three games at home consecutively and will play a fourth in this one. The Magic are 2-1 during the homestand. The Wizards success was enjoyed due to home court advantage, and now the Wizards will now head on the road and face a Magic team that will enjoy their success at home.

Key trends: Magic are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400.

Early lean: Magic, Over

Nuggets @ Mavericks (-2.5, TBD)

The Mavericks can't seem to catch any breaks early this season with injuries. Earlier, Luka Doncic was hurt, and now Kristaps Porzingis is hurt. Porzingis is doubtful for this one, leaving it up to Doncic to get the home win. The Nuggets have not played their best basketball on the road. They're on the fifth game of their road-trip after defeating Atlanta 123-115. Dallas is on their fourth game of their homestand and have gone 2-1 thus far. Expect the Mavericks to take another won at home, even without Porzingis. The Mavericks should be able to shoot their way through this one.

Key trends: Mavericks are 12-5 ATS in their last 17 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.

Early lean: Mavericks, Over

Rockets @ Hawks (+8, 235.5)

Houston is playing their best basketball right now. The Rockets defeated the Nuggets and 76ers at home by large margins and have won three of their last four games. The Hawks lost to this same Nuggets team after allowing 123 points. The Rockets might end up with 150 points in this one. The Rockets have averaged 125 points in their last three games.

Key trends: Rockets are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games as a favorite.

Early lean: Rockets, Over

Bulls @ Pelicans (TBD, TBD)

No, Zion Williamson isn't back. But you'd think he was with the way the Pelicans have played as of late. Although New Orleans lost to the Jazz at home by two points, they're playing high level, competitive basketball around Brandon Ingram, who is shining. The Bulls have lost their last four games, but to be fair, they've played playoff teams. Neither the Pelicans or Bulls will make the playoffs, but I'll take the team that's playing like a playoff team at home against a struggling Bulls team.

Key trends: Pelicans are 5-0-1 ATS in their last 6 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.

Early lean: Pelicans, Over

Knicks @ Jazz (-11, 218.5)

The Jazz have won six straight games and are 9-1 in their last ten. They've been adding to this winning streak with road wins. Now, the Jazz will be home, taking on the Knicks, who have lost two straight and will likely lose their third game in a row against the Lakers. Add on this game being a back-to-back, and it's a no brainer taking the Jazz at home. Blowout incoming!

Key trends: Jazz are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games as a favorite.

Early lean: Jazz, Under

Bucks @ Warriors (TBD, TBD)

Try to guess who the Warriors scoring leader is currently? It's Alec Burks, who is averaging 15.8 points per game. The Warriors are on a five-game losing streak, and it doesn't look like the team is getting healthy any time soon. The Bucks took a bad loss to the Spurs on the road after defeating them two days ago at home. You know the saying, "it's tough to beat a team twice." That's what happened to the Bucks. Milwaukee has won eight of their last ten and should start a new winning streak by destroying the Warriors on the road.

Key trends: Bucks are 8-1 ATS in their last 9 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400.

Early lean: Bucks, Under

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