NBA Picks 1/14/22
Admittedly, we haven’t had the best start, but the sun shines brightest after every storm. The red hot Grizzlies kept us from a 0-3 night as they outscored the Timberwolves by 13 in the 3rd quarter and never looked back. As far as the Thunder and Nets game, we underestimated how bad the Brooklyn defense is when they’re not engaged. The Thunder looked like the 2018 Warriors and had their way with Net’s defense playing like they had somewhere else to be. The TrailBlazers’ recent short stretch of inspired basketball came to an end against Denver in a 140-108 loss. Lesson learned. We have a good feeling about tonight if for no other reason than we’re due for some good luck. Let’s take a look at tonight’s slate and may the gambling gods look favorably upon us for the NBA Picks 1/14/22.
Cleveland Cavs(-3.5) at SA Spurs(+3.5) 8:40 p.m EST
Admittedly, this Cavaliers team is fun and one of the league’s feel-good stories. The loss of Ricky Rubio has hurt but you can tell the team is intent on making the postseason for the first time since LeBron’s departure. The Cavaliers struggled to keep up with some of the league’s most potent offenses but should have no problem keeping up with a Spurs team that has struggled to score at times. Yes, the Spurs are home but the Cavaliers are just flat out better.
Pick: Cleveland Cavs -3.5 (-110 via DraftKings)
Atlanta Hawks(+4.5) at Miami Heat(-4.5) 8:10 p.m EST
The Hawks have lost seven out of their last ten and aren’t a good basketball team right now. They recently traded away Cam Reddish and look nothing like the team that won a first-round playoff series last year. Admittedly, that run was somewhat fluky, and while some expected regression to the mean, few could have expected them to look like this. The Heat, meanwhile, have won three in a row and are playing at home. Until Atlanta makes a consolidation trade or turn things around, they are an easy fade.
Pick: Miami Heat -4.5 (-110 via DraftKings)
GS Warriors(+3.5) at Chicago Bulls(-3.5) 8:10 p.m EST
The Warriors clearly miss Draymond Green but the Bulls don’t play a style of basketball that will punish them for it. The Warriors were embarrassed last night and there’s a part of me that believes that left a bad taste in Stephen Curry’s mouth. Expect him and the rest of the Warriors to bounce back against a Bulls team that was recently run off the court by the Brooklyn Nets. Expect the Warriors to put Vucevic in PnR actions and force him to play defense in space.
