NBA Odds, Picks & Predictions: Saturday (1/17)
We have a nine-game NBA slate today, featuring some exciting matchups. Below are our top NBA picks & predictions for Saturday, January 17th.
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Saturday’s NBA Best Bets & Picks
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Washington Wizards at Denver Nuggets (-12.5) | O/U 232.5 (-108/-112)
If you were anticipating the demise of the Nuggets without Nikola Jokic, it doesn't look like it's happening. Since he has been sidelined, Denver is 6-3 and is tied for the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference. Other Nuggets returning from injury, like Aaron Gordon, are playing a significant role and showing their depth. More importantly, Jamal Murray has stepped up and comes into this game with back-to-back 30+ point performances.
The Nuggets are in the middle of an incredible streak, facing teams with losing records in nine out of the last 10 games. Now they face the Wizards, who have the third-worst winning percentage in the league and have dropped five straight.
Pick: Nuggets -12.5 (-110)
Boston Celtics (-3.5) at Atlanta Hawks | O/U 229.5 (-115/-105)
The Celtics are on a slide, having dropped three of their last five, but with the Knicks playing even worse, they have recently moved up to the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. Jaylen Brown has become the team's leader with Jayson Tatum sidelined for the season with an Achilles injury, but players like Neemias Queta, who had a minimal role in previous seasons, have stepped up. In recent weeks, Queta's 10.4 rebounds per game rank sixth in the NBA in January.
The Hawks are in a transitional period following the trade of star player Trae Young to the Wizards. Even with the Young in the lineup, the team had been free-falling, dropping 11 of their last 16. Offensively, they are a solid team, ranking eighth in points per game, but they struggle on defense, allowing 118.9 points per game (25th). They may not be able to contain Boston's ability to shoot threes at volume; the Celtics are second in three-point attempts per game (42.5), while Atlanta is 19th in three-point attempts allowed per game (37.3).
This total is generous for two teams that play well offensively. Even without Young, there hasn’t been a significant drop-off in the Hawks’ offensive production. Look for this to be a high scoring game.
Pick: Over 229.5 Points (-115)