The NBA Friday schedule features seven games on the board and a few intriguing matchups. The defending NBA Champions will travel to Boston looking to hand the Celtics their first loss at home this season. Additionally, the Suns travel to New Orleans looking to pile up wins with their “Big 3” all healthy. Below is my January 19 NBA Picks for the games!
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NBA Picks January 19, 2024
San Antonio Spurs vs. Charlotte Hornets
Tipoff: 7:10 pm EST
Spread: Hornets -4
Total: 235.5
The Charlotte Hornets are back home after taking a short 3-game road trip where they lost all three games. In fact, the Hornets are on a six-game losing streak and have lost 17 of the last 18 games. The good news for the Hornets is that they see the return of their All-Star point guard LaMelo Ball, and it will be his first home game since November 22nd.
The Hornets will be hosting one of the worst teams in the league, the San Antonio Spurs, who will be with their #1 overall pick, Victor Wenbanyama, in this game.
Additionally, the Hornets are in an immediate revenge spot after the Spurs beat the Hornets by 36 points last Friday. I am expecting the Hornets to have offensive success in this game. Despite their struggles, the Spurs rank amongst the bottom in most defensive categories this season.
The Spurs are allowing close to 120 points per game on the road. Furthermore, the Spurs are bottom 10 in defensive rating this season. Despite some injury concerns, I do expect the Hornets to have success scoring the basketball.
Best Bet: Hornets TT Over 119.5
Brooklyn Nets vs. Los Angeles Lakers
Tipoff – 10:30 pm EST
Spread: Lakers -6.5
Total: 227
The Los Angeles Lakers will welcome the Brooklyn Nets to town, and I am in full fade of the Nets on the road. Over the last 11 road games, they are 1-10 ATS games, 2-9 SU. Additionally, the Nets have the third-worst offensive rating in their last 10 road games with a -12.5 net rating. The Nets are struggling to score points.
In fact, the Nets have reached 110 points just twice over their last nine road games. Meanwhile, the Lakers, despite their struggles since the in-season tournament, are a great home team. The Lakers are 15-7 SU at home, but over the last five home games, the Lakers are 4-1 SU and 4-1
Best Bet: Lakers -6.5
YTD Record: 28-19 (59.5%)
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