The late scratches to games yesterday really did a number on us and the NBA best bets. Both Nikola Jokic and Tyler Herro were both declared out well into the afternoon which hampered two of yesterday’s NBA picks. They caused the Same Game Parlay and Jaime Jaquez’s prop to fail.

The Lakers needed zero help or injury news, as they were destroyed by the second unit of the Dallas Mavericks. They must have not taken them seriously, as there was a lack of rebounding and defensive effort in the worst loss of the Lakers season.

 

 

 

NBA Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 1/8

Today we look to get back on track with our NBA best bets on some familiar faces.

Prior to that though the bet of the day comes from the match of the day, a true powerhouse meeting. The Oklahoma City Thunder and Cleveland Cavaliers have a game at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse.

 

 

 

Thunder vs. Cavaliers Prediction: Cleveland -2.5 (-110 on Bet365) *Bet of the Day

The two top teams of each conference collide in what should be a thriller. Both teams come in with a lot of momentum behind them in an unforeseen great January match. How amazing is it to see the top teams from each conference playing when they are both peaking?

Cleveland is on a 10 game win streak and a point differential of +11.8. Oklahoma City comes in with a 15 game win streak and a point differential of +12.1. One of these teams' amazing streaks will come to an end. But which one?

The prediction is for Cleveland to win at home and cover the low spread of -2.5. This season the Cavaliers have lost one game at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse, just one. They have a team that can really put pressure on Oklahoma City with 122.5 points per game. That is 7.4 more points per game than the Thunder.

There is not an offensive weakness in the Cavaliers starting unit. They can destroy you with a lethal backcourt, or if you double team their perimeter, they will feed their ‘Twin Towers’ in the front court. Yet can we doubt the Thunder?

It should be a close game, and winning by three is the definition of a close game (just look at last night’s Atlanta Hawks versus Utah Jazz game for an example). All good things must come to an end, and so it is with the Thunder’s win streak.

 

 

 

Bulls vs. Pacers Prediction: Nikola Vucevic O1.5 Threes Made (-145 on DraftKings)

We once again introduced a new face to the Betting Bungalow, and he did not deliver. That is more on the fault of Jimmy Butler and Tyler Herro not playing but new faces have had difficulty delivering on our predictions. 

The Well does deliver, and that is why Nikola Vucevic is frequently mentioned. It is unreal how many times he has made exactly 2 threes in a game. It keeps his line from becoming too heavily juiced, and has the guarantee of a US Government Bond.

We have not been greedy with our water source, just one unit per wager but it builds the bankroll with every ticket. Vucevic and the Chicago Bulls are playing the Indiana Pacers who allow 116.1 points per game. These teams are evenly matched and that includes Pacers center, Myles Turner, who is able to score threes as well. 

Vucevic should deliver with playing time, rebounds, and threes made. Put the bucket down and put a unit on The Well to deliver once again.

 

 

 

NBA Player Props & Other Picks Today, 1/8

A familiar face makes a return to our NBA best bets after a long absence. 

Although we normally roll with Scottie Barnes props in Tornoto Raptors matches, we say welcome back to a once-frequent visitor.

 

 

 

Raptors vs. Knicks Prediction: RJ Barrett O19.5 Points (-115 on DraftKings)

RJ Barrett has been lights out for the Raptors this season. He is having a career year in points, rebounds, and assists in his first full season with the Raptors. Just like Barnes, he is battling through injuries to help his team save the season. The Raptors average 111.0 points per game and Barnes/Barrett account for 43.9 of those points.

To say they are reliant on Barnes and Barrett offensively would be an understatement. With that in mind Barrett had the better odds and has been scoring more. He averages. 23.5 points per game, seeing his point line at 19.5 was a little surprising.

Barrett is also no stranger to Madison Square Garden, nor the Knicks faithful. He has been with the Raptors just over one year, and played with the Knicks the first 4.5 years of his career. He has spots he will feel very comfortable on the floor, with thousands of field goals from those exact spots.

Barrett has missed five of his last ten games but has scored well in the five games he has played. 25, 17, 27, 23, 32 are his points across those five games. Put a unit on him scoring 20 or more points tonight, at a place he once called home.

 

 

 

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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