RADIO
Happy MLK Day, RotoBallers, and I hope this finds you well, perhaps even with a day off from work. MLK Day has become a big day for NBA basketball traditionally and we have a full slate of games (11) with some early afternoon and late afternoon starts.
If you weren't aware, I spend a lot of my time (when I am not writing and researching fantasy sports) teaching history and civics. And if there's one way you can honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. today, it's through community service. If you have a chance to spend even one hour giving back to your community today and are afforded the time off to do it, there's no better way to keep the spirit of loving thy neighbor alive. You'll feel good, too, as you sit down to turn on some NBA basketball and cheer on your team (or bets).
In this article, I'll be providing my favorite picks against the spread, game totals, parlays, and teasers for the NBA slate that tips off at 1:00 p.m. EST on Monday, January 15.
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NBA Betting Picks: ML & Spreads
New Orleans Pelicans (-4) at Dallas Mavericks (236 total)
Let's start off with some road favorites here as the Pelicans find themselves in a favorable spot. New Orleans is one of the hottest teams in the NBA right now, having won 7 of their last 10 with the second-best net rating in the league (+12.1).
The Pelicans rested their trio of star players on Saturday as Zion Williamson, CJ McCollum, and Brandon Ingram didn't play in New Orleans' win over the Mavericks. Dallas didn't have Luka in that game (and he's doubtful to return tonight) and the depth of the Pelicans was on full display as backup shooting guard Jordan Hawkins went for 34 points and other backups like Larry Nance Jr. (14 points), Jose Alvarado (14 points), Naji Marshall (13 points), and Dyson Daniels (10 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists) all made major contributions.
Over his last 15 games, CJ McCollum leads the NBA with a 62.5 EFG% on 96 pull-up jumpers. He’s also shooting 75.4 EFG% on catch & shoot FGA (4th in the NBA)
Insane shooting stretch, contributing heavily to the Pelicans having the 4th best offense during that time period. Killer! pic.twitter.com/XgzxJvALB7
— NBA University (@NBA_University) January 11, 2024
So if the Pels' backups can beat this version of the Mavericks by 10 on the road, what can their fully healthy starting five do tonight? All three of Ingram, McCollum, and Zion are probable. I look for New Orleans to take care of business and dominate a Dallas team that can't stop anyone on the interior without Derrick Lively (questionable) and depends too much on the shooting of Kyrie Irving and Tim Hardaway Jr. when Luka is out of the lineup.
The Pick: Pels -4 (-110 DK)
Chicago Bulls (+4) @ Cleveland Cavaliers (221 total)
I usually recuse myself from Cavs games (as a Cavs fan), especially when we have a fairly large slate of games to choose from. But I can't help it, I love this game for Cleveland tonight.
Despite playing without Darius Garland and Evan Mobley, Cleveland is 7-3 over their last ten games with a +7.4 net rating. Donovan Mitchell is in top form and Jarrett Allen has been dominating in the paint. And while the Bulls have shown some signs of life lately, I still think they are overmatched here with the depth of Cleveland who can bring Caris LeVert off the bench to close games out.
The Cavs are 1-0 against Chicago this season and went 4-0 against the Bulls last season. Let's not forget that Donovan Mitchell put up 71 points on this team just a little over a year ago! Gimme my Cavs, let's go!
The Pick: Cavs -4 (-108 DK)
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I mentioned the Pelicans having the second-best net rating over their last ten games, do you know who has the best rating in the league? That's right, it's the OKC Thunder! They are 8-2 over that stretch and have been getting it done on both ends of the floor. SGA is making his case for MVP but the Thunder have been getting incredible production from rookie Chet Holmgren and second-year stud Jalen Williams, too.
Chet Holmgren HAMMERS IT DOWN 😤pic.twitter.com/9kR7bVGjOw
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 14, 2024
These teams have split the season series so far, but the Lakers come into this game in total opposite form of the Thunder. They've dropped 7 of their last 10 games and LeBron has shown some major frustration lately with his team's defense (or lack thereof) and how little help he, AD, and Austin Reaves are getting from the rest of the Laker role players.
The only reason this spread is so tight has to be SGA's questionable tag. I'm not buying it! He's missed only one game this season and I think he will suit up tonight for a chance to bury the King and win a big game on the road. I'll take the Thunder here and as long as SGA is in the lineup, I wouldn't be surprised to see a double-digit win.
The Pick: OKC ML (-108 DK)
MONEYLINE PARLAY: GSW + NYK + BOS = (+152 DK)
UNDERDOG TEASER: (buying 4.5 points) MIA +6.5, DET +10, IND +11.5
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