Jan 7, 7:00am | 4 min read

Daily Picks 01/07: Raptors Depleted

NBA

Dan Canova

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One of our expert hoops handicappers gives his best picks for today's games

ANALYSIS

In Monday’s NBA action, Nikola Jokic finished with 47 points, eight rebounds and five assists for the Denver Nuggets in a 123-115 victory over the Atlanta Hawks. Will Barton added 28 points, nine boards and five assists.

For the Dallas Mavericks, Luka Doncic had 38 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists in a 118-110 win over the Chicago Bulls.

Here are Today’s NBA Picks:

BET OF THE DAY:

Portland Trail Blazers @ Toronto Raptors

The Portland Trail Blazers have a 21-11-2 against the spread record in games played during January since the 2017-18 NBA season. (Stat courtesy of Statschecker)

The Portland Trail Blazers will look to rebound against the Toronto Raptors after a tough loss to the Miami Heat on Sunday night.

Damian Lillard finished with 34 points, 12 assists and three steals and Hassan Whiteside contributed 21 points, 18 boards and two blocks in a 122-111 defeat.

The problem with the Trail Blazers is that they have a pathetic 3-13 against teams with winning records.

The Blazers have lost six of their past seven games and they currently have a 1-2 record in the midst of their five-game road trip.

When these two teams squared off back on Nov. 13 in Portland, Pascal Siakam finished with 36 points to lead Toronto to a 114-106 win.

Siakam, however, will not be available in this game.

Neither will Marc Gasol (hamstring) and Norman Powell (shoulder) and even Fred VanVleet is doubtful to play with a hamstring injury.

The writing is on the wall. Blazers plus the 1 point is the pick here.

2u – Trail Blazers (+1) @ -110

Minnesota Timberwolves @ Memphis Grizzlies

Since the 2012-13 NBA season, the Minnesota Timberwolves have an 0-5 against the spread record at FedExForum after a win. (Stat courtesy of Statschecker)

The Memphis Grizzlies will look to make it three wins in a row on Tuesday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Grizzlies came away with back-to-back wins over the Los Angeles Clippers and most recently the Phoenix Suns on Sunday night.

Jonas Valanciunas finished with a team-high 30 points to go along with eight rebounds and four assists in a 121-114 victory over the Suns.

After a 6-16 start to the season, the Grizzlies have been rolling.

Memphis has won nine of its past 15 games and the offense has scored 110 or more points in 14 of those matchups.

The Grizzlies have also claimed victory over the Timberwolves in eight of their past 11 games head-to-head.

Memphis is the pick here minus the 3 points. Roll with the Grizzlies.

1u – Grizzlies (-3) @ -111

Sacramento Kings @ Phoenix Suns

The Phoenix Suns have an impressive 7-3 against the spread record in night games against the Sacramento Kings since the 2017-18 NBA season. (Stat courtesy of Statschecker)

Winners of three out of their last five games, the Suns will look to bounce back after a tough loss to the Grizzlies on Sunday night.

In that game, Devin Booker scored a game-high 40 points to go with six assists and two rebounds and Kelly Oubre Jr. added 17 points and 10 boards, but the Grizzlies pulled out the 121-114 win.

This young and inexperienced Suns team clearly has a problem with consistency.

But coming off a loss I do expect them to bounce back after a day of rest on Monday against the Kings, who are dealing with many issues of their own.

Take the Suns minus the 6.5 points in this one.