The year ended with me taking some bad beats on my NBA plays the last couple of days. And I take that personally. Let’s start 2026 on a better note. Here are your NBA predictions and preview for Thursday, January 1st.
NBA Predictions & Preview For Thursday, January 1st
Boston Celtics vs Sacramento Kings
Start Time – 10:00 PM EST
Both my plays are from late games tomorrow, so it’s ok if you go hard on New Year’s Eve. And what better place to start the new year than in Sacramento, am I right?!
The Kings are truly terrible and will be without their top two players tomorrow. And the Boston Celtics are overachieving. However, my line is only Boston -10.5, so I’m taking a chance on the Kings at home.
Best Bet: Sacramento +8 (-110)
Utah Jazz vs Los Angeles Clippers
Start Time – 10:30 PM EST
There is some life left in the Los Angeles Clippers, apparently, as they’ve won five straight games. However, five straight wins have still only brought them up to an 11-21 record, one game worse than the Utah Jazz.
The Jazz apparently have been winning too many games for their management, because their top three players are either out or questionable for this game. Still, my line is only Los Angeles -7.5, so the value lies on the Jazz side of the spread.
Best Bet: Utah +11.5 (-110)
2025/6 Overall Record: 74-62 (54%)
Profit (based on $100/bet): $334.77
Return on Investment: 2%
SGPN Daily Content for January 1st, 2026
Daily College Basketball Best Bets
College Football Bowls Best Bets
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COLLEGE BASKETBALL PICKS – THE PICKS POWERHOUSE
SOCCER PICKS – KICK IT ON THE PITCH
NASCAR PICKS – FEEL THE THUNDER
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