Free NBA Picks Saturday 2/8/2020 and Opening Line Report

by Jason Radowitz - 2/7/2020

Saturday's NBA features some new faces wearing new jerseys. The trade deadline has passed, and we saw some incredible trades. D'Angelo Russell is off to Minnesota, while Andrew Wiggins gets a fresh start in Golden State. Marcus Morris and the Clippers will meet the new-look Timberwolves in what will be an interesting matchup. The Knicks and Pistons also meet after both teams got rid of their stars to different teams. Andre Drummond was traded to Cleveland, while Morris, of course, went to the Clippers. Here are the early leans for Saturday's basketball slate.

Bucks vs. Magic 2/8/20 (+8.5, 218)

The Bucks will take a day off and travel to Orlando to take on the Magic, who have struggled as of late. The Magic allow more points than they score, while the Bucks score almost 13 more points than they allow. Orlando is currently only beating bad teams, and the Bucks are far from being bad. Take the Bucks on the road. The Bucks destroy below .500 teams.

Key trends: Bucks are 9-1 ATS in their last 10 Saturday games.

Early lean: Bucks, Over

Mavericks vs. Hornets 2/8/20 (TBD, TBD)

This will be the second game of a back-to-back for the Mavericks, but they're playing a Hornets team that has been miserable in 2020. Dallas averages 116.1 points per game, while the Hornets average 103 points per game. Sure, Dallas will be without Luka Doncic, but the Hornets really haven't played great defense lately. Take Dallas to win this one on the road against a beat down Hornets team.

Key trends: Mavericks are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of less than .400.

Early lean: Mavericks, Over

Knicks vs. Pistons 2/8/20 (TBD, TBD)

The Knicks and Pistons made deadline moves. Marcus Morris was traded to the Clippers in exchange for Moe Harkless and a first rounder. Harkless might play in this game. Andre Drummond was traded for basically nothing to the Cleveland Cavaliers just to shed his contract away. Without Drummond, what are the Pistons? The Knicks, who have played fairly well as of late, would be my pick to beat the Pistons on the road.

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

Early lean: Knicks, Under

Nets vs. Raptors 2/8/20 (-8, 223)

The Nets will take on the Raptors, who will play a second game of a back-to-back with the Pacers matchup coming before this one. The Raptors haven't lost in quite some time, but Vegas is projected the Pacers get a sneaky win over the Raptors. If that's the case, the Raptors will look to start a new streak against a Nets team that has been inconsistent and in better terms, not that great. Take the Raptors in this one.

Key trends: Raptors are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games following a ATS loss.

Early lean: Raptors, Over

Pelicans vs. Pacers 2/8/20 (TBD, TBD)

After the Pacers take on the Raptors, the Pacers will take on the Pelicans at home. The Pelicans have been playing much better when compared to the start of the year. However, in reality, it'll be too late. The Pelicans are still plenty of games back from being .500 and will likely struggle to beat a Pacers team that will soon find their mojo again. The Pacers play exceptional defense and shoot better from the field. Home court advantage helps that even more.

Key trends: Pacers are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.

Early lean: Pacers, Under

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Clippers vs. Timberwolves 2/8/20 (TBD, TBD)

Marcus Morris is a Clipper. D'Angelo Russell is now with the Timberwolves. If these players do suit up, it'll be an interesting matchup. The Timberwolves have lost 13 straight games, while the Clippers just added enough pieces to their roster to be thought of as the best team in the West. I'm not sure D'Angelo Russell makes this team that much better for the short term. However, if Minnesota builds around Russell and Towns, they'll have something. For now, the Clippers must prove they're the real deal now and should blow out the T-Wolves on the road.

Key trends: Clippers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.

Early lean: Clippers, Over

Lakers vs. Warriors 2/8/20 (TBD, TBD)

The Lakers didn't make a single move at the Trade Deadline. They'll stick to signing free agents. The Warriors actually acquired Andrew Wiggins from the T-Wolves in that D'Angelo Russell trade and he figures to be a solid asset when the entire team is healthy. For now, he doesn't have enough pieces around him to win games, but a change of scenery can help. I like the trade for the Warriors, but this season is for the Lakers. Warriors have no shot at this one.

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

Early lean: Lakers, Over

Nuggets vs. Suns 2/8/20 (TBD, TBD)

The Suns will play the Rockets and then the Nuggets in back-to-back games. As a below average team, playing really good teams back-to-back can become challenging. The Nuggets have won seven of their last 10 games and have won four of their last five. The lone loss was in overtime against the Pistons when they had Rose and Drummond on the floor. Take the Nuggets in a big win on the road with a little extra rest.

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

Early lean: Nuggets, Under

Spurs vs. Kings (+2.5, 224.5)

Demar DeRozan was slightly talked about before the trade deadline expired. He's staying put. That means that the Spurs will still be fairly competitive against teams like the Kings, who are 19-31 on the year. The Spurs aren't too much better but had to go up against the Clippers and Lakers back-to-back before the game against the Blazers. That schedule is hard for any team at this point. I still like the Spurs to salvage what's left of the road trip and get the win on the road.

Key trends: Spurs are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of less than .400.

Early lean: Spurs, Under

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