Daily Picks 01/02: Extreme Heat Causes Raptors' Extinction
In Wednesday’s NBA games, D.J. Augustin finished with a team-high 25 points for the Orlando Magic in a 122-101 victory over the Washington Wizards. Nikola Vucevic added 20 points and 12 boards in the win.
For the New York Knicks, Julius Randle led the way with 22 points, 13 rebounds and three assists, and Marcus Morris Sr. added 18 points and seven boards in a 117-93 win over the Portland Trail Blazers.
Here are Today’s NBA Picks:
BET OF THE DAY:
Toronto Raptors @ Miami Heat
- Since the 2016-17 NBA season, the Miami Heat have an 8-2 against the spread record in night games against the Toronto Raptors. (Stat courtesy of Statschecker)
The Miami Heat have been fantastic on their home court. In fact, with a 15-1 home record, the Heat are the best in the entire NBA. The Heat will look to bounce back after an away loss to the Washington Wizards on Monday night.
Jimmy Butler finished with 27 points, six rebounds and four assists for the Heat in a 123-105 loss.
These two teams squared off back on Dec. 3, and it was the Heat who came away with a 121-110 victory in overtime behind a triple-double performance from Butler. He had 22 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists in the victory.
Butler leads the Heat in points (20.8), assists (6.6) and steals (2.0) per game this season. He will once again be key for Miami in a bounce back performance at home. Take the Heat minus the 5.5 points.
2u – Heat (-5.5) @ -105
Utah Jazz @ Chicago Bulls
- Since the 2010-11 NBA season, the Chicago Bulls have a 10-7 against the spread record against the Utah Jazz. (Stat courtesy of Statschecker)
The Utah Jazz will carry a three-game winning streak into Chicago to take on the Bulls on Thursday.
In their last game against the Detroit Pistons on Monday night, Donovan Mitchell finished with 23 points, three boards and three assists for the Jazz in an impressive 104-81 home victory. Rudy Gobert added 13 points and 19 rebounds for Utah.
The Bulls, on the other hand, will look to rebound after a tough loss to the Eastern Conference-leading Milwaukee Bucks. Zach LaVine finished with 19 points, five assists and four rebounds for the Bulls in a 123-102 loss.
Last season, the Jazz came away with both wins over Chicago. In last season's game, Donovan Mitchell scored 34 points and Rudy Gobert had 15 points and 16 rebounds in a 110-102 win in Utah.
Utah also had a 114-83 dominating victory in Chicago in the second head-to-head game of last year.
Not sure if they ultimately come away with a home win here, but I do like the Bulls getting the 3.5 points in this matchup. Take Chicago plus the points here.
1u – Bulls (+3.5) @ -105
Oklahoma City Thunder @ San Antonio Spurs
- The San Antonio Spurs have an 8-3 against the spread record against the Oklahoma City Thunder since the 2016-17 NBA season. (Stat courtesy of Statschecker)
The San Antonio Spurs will look to make it three wins in a row in this game.
DeMar DeRozan finished with 24 points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals for the Spurs in a 117-113 victory over the Golden State Warriors. Patty Mills added 18 points, four boards and four assists off the bench in the win.
Oklahoma City will look to extend their winning streak to four straight games.
Dennis Schroder finished with 20 points, seven rebounds and four assists off the bench, and Danilo Gallinari added 20 points for the Thunder in a 106-101 win over the Dallas Mavericks.
The Spurs aren’t the Spurs of old, but they will play like the legendary franchise that they’ve grown to be. Take San Antonio minus the 2 points in this matchup.
1u – Spurs (-2) @ -105
By Dan Canova