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Free NBA Picks Saturday, January 4 and Opening Line Report


by Jason Radowitz - 1/3/2020

Kawhi Leonard Los Angeles Clippers

There's no more college football on Saturday and there's only a couple of NFL Playoff games. Basketball is about to take over Saturdays between college and the NBA. The NBA slate has 11 games with some pretty intriguing matchups. The Nets are favorites against the Raptors at home, while the Pacers are single-digit favorites on the road against the Hawks. Here's the early lean for the 11 games on the slate.

Grizzlies @ Clippers (TBD,TBD)

The Clippers have won their last two games against the Kings and Pistons. They've gone 6-4 in their last 10 games, while Memphis is busy trading wins for losses as of late. If the trading were to continue, the Grizzlies should pull off the upset win on the road. The Grizzlies defense has been terrible, and they'll go up against one of the best offenses in the league. The Clippers will blow the Grizzlies out at home.

Key trends: Clippers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400.

Early lean: Clippers, Over

Raptors @ Nets (-1, 216.5)

The Nets have lost four straight games and have now fallen below .500. Two crucial signings in Durant and Irving have made no impact for the team, and the Nets are really struggling right now. The Raptors are 6-4 in their last 10 games and most recently took a lopsided loss to the Heat on the road while only scoring 76 points. The Nets have allowed 122+ points in their last two games. The Raptors will get their offense back on track and win on the road against the Nets.

Key trends: Raptors are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games as a favorite.

Early lean: Raptors, Over

Jazz @ Magic (TBD, TBD)

Utah is 22-12. Did you realize? The Jazz might be the most underrated team in the NBA right now after winning four straight and nine of their last 10 games. The Magic will have a back-to-back with the Heat before this one, while the Jazz get extra rest and another day to prepare. With the way the Jazz are playing as of late, Utah should be a step quicker in this one. Take the Jazz at all costs.

Key trends: Jazz are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 road games.

Early lean: Jazz, Under

Thunder @ Cavaliers (-4.5, 212.5)

After my comment about the Jazz being the most underrated team, some of you probably wondered where I had the Thunder ranked. They're also underrated and have played really good basketball as of late with a four-game winning streak and have won eight of their last 10. The Thunder will have a chance to win five straight against a Cavs team that will be seeing moving pieces pretty soon, like Kevin Love. The Cavs last two wins came against the Timberwolves and the Hawks. Two really poor teams. The Thunder are a quality team and will handle the Cavs in this one.

Key trends: Thunder are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a straight up win.

Early lean: Thunder, Under

Pacers @ Hawks (+5.5, 221.5)

The Pacers have lost three of their last four against solid opponents, while the Hawks finally got a win against the Magic after losing 10 straight. The Hawks will face the Celtics before this game. Any game against the Celtics will tire you out for a second game back-to-back. For a Hawks team that relies on scoring enough points to win, the second game of the back-to-back won't help. Take the Pacers with the extra day of rest on the road.

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

Early lean: Pacers, Under

Celtics @ Bulls (TBD, TBD)

The Celtics have turned it on recently, winning seven of their last 10 games and four of their last five, while the Bulls have now lost three of their last four. Just like I said about the Hawks, the tempo will be fast and tiring. The Celtics will also have to play a back-to-back against the Bulls after this while the Bulls get some rest. Take the Bulls as an underdog at home.

Key trends: Bulls are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games as an underdog.

Early lean: Bulls, Under

Nuggets @ Wizards (TBD, TBD)

The Nuggets were mostly known for their defense in the last couple of seasons. But offense in Nuggets games have been unmatched. In each game, a team has scored at least 112 points in the last five games. The Wizards don't have much defense, either. This will be a high-scoring game, but the Nuggets will come on top as they've won eight of their last 10 and the Wizards have went just 3-7 in their last 10. The Nuggets will blow them out.

Key trends: Nuggets are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games as a road favorite of 5.0-10.5.

Early lean: Nuggets, Over

Pistons @ Warriors (TBD, TBD)

The Pistons are currently struggling with four losses in their last five and going 2-8 in their last 10 games. The Warriors were surging for a little bit at the end of 2019 but have since lost three straight games. Both teams have quite the injury list. I think the Warriors bounce back at home with the Pistons traveling all the way to the Bay area.

Key trends: Warriors are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games following a ATS loss.

Early lean: Warriors, Under

Spurs @ Bucks (-11.5, 227.5)

The Bucks are literally 31-5 on the year. We knew the Bucks were going to be good, but this good? The Bucks are on a four-game winning streak and completely dominate at home where they'll take on the Spurs. The Spurs have their way with these games, though. They just haven't closed or sealed the deal. I think the Bucks win, but the Spurs cover. In their last five games, the Spurs have either won straight up or lost by single digits.

Key trends: Spurs are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.

Early lean: Spurs, Under

Hornets @ Mavericks (-12.5, 215.5)

The Hornets had lost four straight games before defeating the Cavaliers, while Dallas stopped a two-game losing streak in a win against the Nets. Dallas is just 5-5 in their last 10 games. For a team as good as the Mavericks, that's going to change. The Mavericks hit their bad stretch and will now start to win some games again. The Hornets were losing games by large margins before their win against the Cavs, and I expect another large margin loss in this one.

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

Early lean: Mavericks, Over

Pelicans @ Kings (TBD, TBD)

Are the Pelicans for real? The Pelicans have won four straight games and will be looking for their fifth straight win against a Kings team that has lost eight of their last 10 games. The Kings lone win in their last five was against the Grizzlies. The Pelicans have compiled wins against the Nuggets, Pacers, and Rockets. If they continue to play this well, they'll be no match for the Kings.

Key trends: Pelicans are 3-1-1 ATS in their last 5 road games.

Early lean: Pelicans, Over

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