NBA Best Bets Today, 1/22: Picks, Predictions & Player Props - Wednesday
Christian Braun accomplished the two step ladder with ease, and actually scored 20 points… we should have made it three steps. Michael Porter recorded 5 rebounds at halftime, but only managed one more in the third quarter. He was on pace to bring in more of a profit, but sat the entire fourth quarter. Scottie Barnes went well over his 5.5 assists, and we should have known better than doubting our guy.
Three of seven bets were correct, and that earned the Fantasy Alarm Betting Bungalow +1.07 profits. Braun was the real hero in what was a complete blowout by the Denver Nuggets. The Wageralarm article also hit a +525 parlay too.
NBA Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 1/22
There are nine games today and a few teams resting players. We take advantage of the teams playing at home against lineups with players expected out.
CLE vs HOU Prediction: HOU ML (+124 on Draftkings) *Bet of the Night
The Houston Rockets are gaining momentum and the sportsbooks have been paying attention. They are currently second in the western conference, and have won seven of their last ten games. They are hosting the best team in the Association, the Cleveland Cavaliers, and have a minimal spread, +2.5
That is why the moneyline is suggested for the Rockets at the Toyota Center where they are 14-7 on the season. The Cleveland Cavaliers are a great road team, 15-4 this season, but those are mostly against inferior Eastern Conference teams. This is against the second best team in the Western Conference, a slightly different scenario.
Cleveland power forward Evan Mobley will be out this game, and he is the undisputed best defensive player on their team. Heck, he’s the best defender not named Victor Wembanyama, and he will be missed in this match. Isaac Okoro is also out and the Cavaliers will be short at the forward position. Carius Levert is also listed as day-to-day, and could miss as well.
The Rockets have a full lineup, with all players listed as healthy. This should benefit the Rockets as they look to keep pace in front of the Memphis Grizzlies and Denver Nuggets. Put a unit on them to upset the Cavaliers today.
Celtics vs Clippers Prediction: LAC +11 (-110 on Bet365)
The Boston Celtics play at the Intuit Dome against the Los Angeles Clippers and are major favorites on the road. The Clippers are currently fifth in the Western Conference and have won 15 of their last 20 home games, and a double digit spread seems a little ridiculous.
The Boston Celtics have Jrue Holiday and Al Horford listed as day-to-day and will likely sit the veterans in the first of back-to-back games. The Celtics are also coming off an amazing performance and we expect the scientific Law of Averages to catch up to them today.
The Clippers will be without Kawhi Leonard and Ivica Zubac and have a few more listed as day to day. However The Clippers have been going deep in their bench all season, and are capable of scoring in bursts. Look for them to do just that and cover a 11 point spread. Put a unit on the Clippers spread.
NBA Player Props & Other Picks Today, 1/22
We have been following the Utah Jazz lately who almost had a massive double digit upset, but allowed the New Orleans Pelicans to come back. We have found a great angle for tonight’s match with almost even odds.
Jazz vs Thunder Prediction: Walker Kessler Over 10.5 Rebounds (-115 on Bet365)
The Utah desert cowboy, Walker Kessler, rides again for Fantasy Alarm. The Utah Jazz are 17 point underdogs, which is insane really. But the Oklahoma City Thunder are the best team in the Western Conference and the Jazz are the worst. We aren’t worried about that, we just need our cowboy to come through with rebounds.
He is averaging 11.4 rebounds per game, and the line is set under his average. He has 11 or more rebounds in three of his last four matches, and five of his last seven. He is a big man that almost strictly focuses on controlling the paint and earning rebounds. He could have potential for a great rebounding night.
The Thunder allowed the second most rebounds in the Association, and Kessler could well exceed his rebounding line. Instead of a ladder, because it could be a blowout in which the starters sit, put a unit at almost even odds, for Kessler to get his average.
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Bet Smart, Be Lucky - Iggy
*All odds accurate at time of writing and NBA best bets to be placed at 1 unit unless specified otherwise
Player News
Buddy Hield had 15 points (5-of-14 FGs), three rebounds, one assist, one steal and four three-pointers against the Timberwolves in Game 2 on Thursday.
Hield moved into the Warriors’ starting lineup in the first round and the team became somewhat reliant on his scoring. With Stephen Curry (hamstring) out in Game 2, Hield started and played 29 minutes. The 32-year-old shooting guard led the Warriors in field goal attempts, though no one in a Golden State uniform was able to reach 20 points. The Warriors weren’t able to overcome a double-digit first half deficit. Despite the four made three-pointers, they’re going to need more from Hield as the series shifts to Golden State, especially if Curry remains out.
Jimmy Butler had 17 points (6-of-13 FGs), seven rebounds, four assists, one steal and two three-pointers against the Timberwolves in Game 2 on Thursday.
Butler couldn’t get it done without Stephen Curry (hamstring) on the road in Game 2. The Warriors fell behind by double-digits early and never recovered. Butler had 17 points on 13 shots, which wasn’t far off from the 20 points he had in Game 1. Still, the Warriors have to regroup as they head home for Games 3 and 4 as they try to figure out a way to keep this series close until Curry can return to the court.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker had 20 points (7-of-13 FGs), two rebounds, three assists, one block and four three-pointers in Game 2 against the Warriors on Thursday.
Alexander-Walker was a key scorer off the bench in Game 2. He, Naz Reid and Donte DiVencenzo combined for 10 made three-pointers off the bench. In a game where the Warriors were desperate for scoring without Stephen Curry (hamstring), those bench points were too much to overcome as the Timberwolves won by 24 points.
Julius Randle had 24 points (10-of-17 FGs), seven rebounds, 11 assists and one three-pointer in Game 2 against the Warriors on Thursday.
Randle led the Timberwolves in scoring in the Game 2 victory. The 30-year-old power forward was just three rebounds away from a triple-double. He was a steadying presence in his 33 minutes as Anthony Edwards dealt with an ankle injury towards the end of the first half. Edwards recovered from his injury to play 34 minutes, but Randle is still the next most important player in this series for the Timberwolves.
Anthony Edwards had 20 points (6-of-13 FGs), nine rebounds, five assists, three steals, one block and two three-pointers in the Timberwolves’ 117-93 victory over the Warriors in Game 2 on Thursday.
Edwards appeared to suffer a sprained left ankle towards the end of the second quarter as the Warriors’ Trayce Jackson-Davis landed on his foot. Edwards turned the same ankle in the first round against the Lakers and appeared to re-aggravate the injury. The 23-year-old shooting guard would go on to start the second half and play a team-high 34 minutes in the Game 2 victory. Edwards will only have one full day off before the series resumes in Golden State for Game 3 on Saturday.
Warriors will start Brandin Podziemski, Buddy Hield, Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green and Quinten Post in Game 2 against the Timberwolves on Thursday.
No surprise here as Curry was always a long shot to make it back for Game 2 after leaving Game 1 with hamstring injury. While there has been a report that the 37-year-old point guard is expected to miss a week, there is no firm timetable for his return. The Warriors will go big with their starting lineup for Game 2 with center Quinten Post entering the lineup in Curry’s absence.