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NBA Best Bets Odds, Picks & Predictions: Saturday (1/28)

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Growing up, my and always took me to the Knicks vs. Nets game as my one game a year.

It’s always one of the more exciting matchups every year. The Knicks and Nets will play four times this season, and the Nets already have a monster 112-85 win over the Knicks earlier this season.

But New York is coming off an overtime win over the Boston Celtics and has won two straight games. Compare that to Brooklyn’s inability to beat a tanking Pistons team a couple of days ago.

I’ll be giving out my best bet for that game and another. Let’s get in the win column tonight.

And check out our other top picks for Saturday:

Top NBA Betting Odds, Picks & Predictions: Saturday (1/28)

Season record: 1-1 -.15 Units

All Wagers Are 1 Unit
(Odds courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook as of Saturday morning)

New York Knicks vs. Brooklyn Nets

The Nets are still without Kevin Durant. He should be back in a few weeks. But for now, they’re missing him. The Nets have lost their last two and three of their last five games without their leading scorer.

The Nets are still a quality offense, with or without Durant. Brooklyn has earned 116.2 points per 100 possession this season and has an effective field goal percentage of 58.5%. But the Knicks have held opponents to a 52.9% effective field goal percentage this season. New York can hold the Nets below their season average for effective field goal percentage.

The Knicks won’t earn a ton of turnovers and are pretty bad on the defensive glass. But the Nets have only hauled in 21.6% of offensive rebounds and don’t get to the foul line at a high rate.

On the flip side, the Knicks shoot a meager effective field goal percentage of 52.5%. But New York should dominate the glass on the offensive end and earn second chances. The Knicks are grabbing 31.7% of offensive rebounds, while the Nets are giving up close to 30% on the defensive end. Plus, the Knicks should end up at the foul line more frequently and limit turnovers more.

I’ve got the Knicks earning a third straight victory.

Bet: Knicks (+110)

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Boston Celtics

The Knicks-Nets rivalry is fun. But there’s nothing like the Lakers-Celtics rivalry. The history between these two teams is incredible.

Boston, again, is coming off a loss to the Knicks. But the Celtics clawed back in that game to even get overtime in the first place. Boston has lost three straight games, but with a home game against a below .500 Lakers team, the Celtics should be able to get back on track.

The Celtics have held teams to 24% offensive rebounds this season. That’s the top rate in the NBA on the defensive end. Meanwhile, the Lakers aren’t very active on the glass and probably won’t get many second chances. The Lakers are above average at getting to the foul line, but the Celtics also lead the NBA in defensive free throw rate.

On the flip side, the Celtics won’t dominate the offensive glass either and can limit turnovers just as well. The Lakers are also limiting foul shots this season and are still holding opponents to a 54.4% effective field goal percentage.

This game should be a bit closer. Boston knocked off the Lakers, 122-118, in overtime the last time they faced. But I still like the Under 236 in this matchup and think neither team gets close to 120.

Bet: Under 236 (-110) 

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