Top 3 NBA Betting Picks for Thursday, January 6th (2022)
Wednesday night in the NBA marked the return of Kyrie Irving to the Nets, as they visited Indiana and picked up a 129-121 win as they ended a three-game slide. Elsewhere in the league, the Mavericks retired Dirk Nowitzki’s jersey in Dallas, as the team held the Warriors to a season-low 82 points in a 99-82 win.
Let’s look at the key matchups for Thursday evening and see where the value remains.
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1. Celtics -1 | -110 at DraftKings Sportsbook
Currently in a deadlock for the 10th seed, the last spot in the play-in tournament, the Celtics and Knicks will go at it for the third time this season and the second time in two weeks tonight in NYC. For the home Knicks, the duo of RJ Barrett and Julius Randle continues to lead the way, as was on display in their combined 62 points in Tuesday night’s win over the Pacers.
The Celtics have been relying on an elite duo of their own in Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum but fell short last night, scoring just 97 points in their 97-99 loss at home to the Spurs. In this one, I expect the absence of Kemba Walker to be too much to overcome for a Knicks team who has lost two of three without him.
2. Warriors -3 | -110 at DraftKings Sportsbook
In the worst offensive performance of the season last night for the Warriors, they won’t have to dwell on it long as they head to New Orleans tonight as short road favorites. They shot just 40% from the field in the loss as Stephen Curry struggled to find any rhythm, and the team followed suit.
The home Pelicans come into this one having lost four of their last five, as their defensive effort continues to cost them. In the five losses, the Pelicans have given up no less than 110 points, and things likely won’t get easier tonight against a motivated Warriors.
3. Warriors-Pelicans Under 217.5 | -110 at DraftKings Sportsbook
We’re staying in New Orleans for this one and instead are taking a look at the posted total.
While the Warriors’ offensive struggles haven’t gotten any better as of late, the defensive effort is still there. Currently the #1 team in the league allowing just 101.4 points and an FG% of 42.5% per game, expect those numbers to come through tonight against one of the team’s worst offensive units in the Pelicans.
Though the Warriors likely won’t be kept under 100 in this one, I expect the Pelicans to be kept right around that number and for this one to stay well below the posted total.
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