NBA Odds, Picks & Predictions: Sunday (1/5)
There's a solid slate of games in the NBA on Sunday. With twelve teams in action, there are plenty of sides and totals with value. Here are a few of my favourite plays for the NBA Sunday games.
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Sunday's Best NBA Picks
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Boston Celtics at Oklahoma City Thunder
Sunday's matinee matchup in Oklahoma City is widely considered a Finals preview. The Thunder have been the hottest team in the NBA, having not lost a regular-season game since December 1st and having 14 consecutive victories. In that run, they've gone an impressive 12-2 ATS. They've been in lockdown defensively all season and rank first in DRtg.
Boston has been rolling since winning the championship last year. The league still runs through the Celtics, who are the only team in the league to put together a NET rating higher than OKC. Like the Thunder, the Celtics have been among the best eFG% defensive teams all year. Both squads allow an eFG% of 52.3% or better, which is among the top four in the league.
Both teams will look for transition opportunities, with easy-shot attempts coming at a premium. However, these two offenses take care of the ball better than any other teams in the league. Oklahoma City and Boston have turnover rates that are first and second, respectively. This will be one of the most exciting games of the early season, especially if you love defense. Expect offensive possessions to be a grind-out chess match. I'll be backing the under.
Pick: Under 223.5 Points (-115)
Los Angeles Lakers at Houston Rockets
There is a big matchup in Houston as the Lakers head into town. LeBron and company are playing some of their best ball of the year, going 7-3 SU and ATS in their last 10 contests. Meanwhile, Houston will be without Jabari Smith, who will be out for at least four weeks with a broken bone in his hand. Houston will miss his presence on defense, as they have played well so far this year.
Smith had been playing the best ball of his young career, especially on the defensive end, where he was compiling his best-estimated plus-minus. Houston still ranks in the top five in the league in DRtg, but their strength at the rim could be affected. This may be a problem since Los Angeles is one of the best teams in the league, scoring at the rim. LeBron, Anthony Davis and the rest of the Lakers have the second-best shooting percentage at the rim in the league, shooting 67.5%.
The Lakers have recently become one of the hottest teams in the league. They should have some advantages against a Rocket team that is missing a key contributor. I like the Lakers to head into Houston and get the cover.
Pick: Rockets +5.5 (-110)
Sacramento Kings at Golden State Warriors
In a Sunday night matchup in San Francisco, the Kings take on the Warriors, a Pacific Division foe. The Kings shocked many last week when they dismissed head coach Mike Brown, but the change seems to have the desired effect. Sacramento has won three of four since the departure, all against teams expected to make the playoffs.
Golden State has struggled this season, including recently, when they are just 3-7 ATS in their last 10. They will be without Stephen Curry and Jonathan Kuminga for this matchup, and that is going to be a problem against a Kings team that could have De'Aaron Fox in the lineup.
With Domantas Sabonis and DeMar DeRozan, the Kings have been one of the best midrange and rim-shooting teams in the league. This is where the Warriors can be exploited. We haven't seen these teams go at it yet this year, but it seems like a good matchup for the Kings. With the Warriors missing some key pieces in the lineup, this is a game Sacramento should cover and possibly win outright.
Pick: Kings +2.5 (-110)