I was a subtle winner once again last night, walking away with a whopping $0.71! Honestly though, whatever it takes. The name of the game in this one is not to bleed money until I’ve spent $100 on NBA games. And while $0.71 in winnings is a silly amount of money to celebrate, I’m actually +$15.39 since January 11th, which marks the date where I noted that I needed to pay a little more attention to players missing due to COVID, betting on hot teams, and focus more on Underdogs. Turns out that’s a winning recipe so far. That being said, it helps that I’ve hit a few props along the way.
Today’s Picks
The line has moved in the favor of two favorites tonight (the Knicks and the Warriors). I still haven’t quite worked out what line movement means for NBA games and how predictive it is, but it does make me wary. Tonight will be interesting to see how the results compare to the line movement since it’s fewer games to follow. Nevertheless, the recipe is going to stay pretty much the same tonight, even though I don’t really like what the signs are telling me.
Pick #1: $1.00 on the New Orleans Pelicans Money Line (@ the New York Knicks) +140
I couldn’t quite come around to betting the Knicks and the points, so I decided to take a rip on the Pelicans Money Line. The Pelicans started off terribly and haven’t quite worn off the stench that came with their first few weeks, but they’ve rounded into a decent adversary in the meantime. With big bruiser Jonas Valanciunas in the post, I think they can bang down low against a Knicks team that doesn’t quite have the center to go up against him. At the end of the day, I don’t love it, so I only put $1.00 on it.
Pick #2: $2.00 on the Dallas Mavericks Money Line (vs the Phoenix Suns) +115
While I don’t know that the Pelicans can quite qualify as a hot team, I do think the Mavericks can. They’re 9-1 in their last ten, they’ve got a healthy KP back, and Luka is rounding his way into shape. I ultimately think the Suns are the better team, but with the way the Mavs are playing right now, it feels like a no-brainer to get them at +odds in what should be the most interesting contest of the night.
Pick #3: $2.00 on the Golden State Warriors-13.5 (vs. the Indiana Pacers) -110
The last matchup of the night should be a snooze fest. The Pacers are coming off of a win last night against the Lakers on the road and the Warriors are settling back into life at home. I went against the Warriors in a similar spot two nights ago, but won’t be repeating my mistake here. The line has moved two points towards the Warriors, so I’m hoping that means I’m on the side of the sharps. Additionally, the Pacers are going to be without several key guys including Myles Turner and Damontas Sabonis. Surprises do happen, but the Warriors are a great team and usually come prepared.
One Last Line 