NBA Basketball Picks - Daily ATS Predictions

We trust that Miami will be able to cover this number here and earn their third straight cover while doing so. The Heat’s 26th-ranked scoring offense (106 points per game) usually is their Achilles heel which inhibits them from getting wins in defensive games they like to play. However, given the match-up here they should have no trouble feasting on some buckets and notching a more comfortable win at home.

Given the travel constraints that are added into this equation, the Hornets will have a difficult time rolling up their sleeves to go muzzle-to-muzzle with the Pacers on their own court here. Indiana will avenge the earlier season loss against the Hornets sand they will do it style. This game has potential blowout written all over it and Indiana should cruise here to an easy victory and cover. Swallow the points.

Brooklyn may have indeed made a statement on Wednesday, and there is an excellent chance that this team does find itself sneaking into the playoffs perhaps as a seven or eight seed. However, Orlando is no team to sleep on, and they have made plenty of statements of their own already this season with some of the victories they have pulled off, as they have beaten Houston and Boston on their own court as well along with a victory in San Antonio. The Magic will submarine a surging Brooklyn team and get the win here.

Sacramento’s inability to take advantage of free points compared to Charlotte makes the Hornets a quality play here with a low line to cover. However, this game could easily be settled by more than just a possession as Charlotte could potentially come out juiced in the first quarter and never look back against a Sacramento team prone to come in flat. Hornets win this one and cover easy while they do.

The Sixers have the more talented roster, but talent doesn't always win games in the NBA. The Pacers have won 14 of their first 19 home games of the season, and are quickly emerging as one of the top teams in the East. This should be a wildly entertaining game, but I'm putting my money on the Pacers.

There was once a team that you had to pay to back the Knicks at home as Madison Square Garden is one of the most recognized venues in the world. However, given the Knicks fall from grace they are now a team that begs for action. On the contrary, Philadelphia used to be that team until they became a playoff-caliber outfit that some have even considered a Finals contender. It is for these reasons Philadelphia has produced a losing record against the spread this season (20-23) despite owning one of the best records in the East and why New York’s against the spread record (18-23) is far better than their straight-up mark. We’ll take advantage of a likely overlay here.

As a general rule of thumb, the Raptors are bound to be overpriced at home. However, given the variables here the opposite is likely to be the case. It is, for this reason, some of the sharper books have priced the Raptors a half-of-a-point higher here as they are taking a position that the Raps should cruise here. We couldn't agree more, and Toronto will win this one by substantial margins.

Last year, the Heat snuck into the playoffs and made a poor showing when they were dominated in a gentleman's sweep by the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round. This contest will be an excellent venue for Miami to show that they are not a team to trifle with and we can expect them to be the more motivated and fresher team in this contest. Keep the points, we'll take the Heat outright.

San Antonio loves to shoot the three, and they are the best in the league in doing so hitting 39.8% of their attempts. The bad news is they in a hostile environment against a Detroit club that is the best team in the league in shutting down the three-pointer as they allow opponents to shoot 31.7% from beyond the arc. When you combine this with Detroit's edge on the boards with Andre Drummond and Blake Griffin comprising their frontcourt, Detroit can play this contest on its terms. Pistons outright get the call.

Miami has been playing at a high level for the most part in their previous ten fixtures as they have lost just two games over this span. This can be chalked up to their stingy defense which has kept opponents under the 100-point mark in seven of these affairs. Against a team, as beleaguered such as Atlanta, the Heat should have their way in this one as the Hawks will also give their offense a helping-hand in compiling what could very well be a blow-out win.

This situation seems like a classic win no-cover spot for the Pelicans. New Orleans will finally get the monkey off their back, but the Cavaliers will not make it easy for them. Cleveland will make this a four-quarter game and perhaps even hold a substantial lead at one point when NOLA's Anthony Davis or Jrue Holiday are catching a breather.

The Pacers will continue their winning streak, and they will do so with style against a team they love to beat. The last game in Chicago in November was settled by a basket, but the outcome here will be far different as the Pacers are more inclined here to win this by double-digits and thus come in over the number as they do so. Chicago's offense will struggle mightily against the NBA's top-ranked Indiana scoring defense (101.1 points per game) and they will no answer for Victor Oladipo and Darren Collison on the opposite end of the court.

Charlotte is a team that relies on its offense to win games to outscore their opponents as they score 113.4 points per game while giving up a 20th ranked 111.4 points per game. Unfortunately for Charlotte, they are up against a unit that can stymie those very offensive operations and take advantage of mediocre to create an influx in scoring. The upset possibility is high in this one, but the points are more than enough for Orlando to come in under the number.

This game has upset written all over it, and thus we'll trade the points away here to enhance our return on a Money Line play. Minnesota comes into the affair low enough on the public radar (thanks to their recent debacle) to ultimately trip up a Miami team whose stock is through the roof. Minnesota will use its advantages to pick up its fifth road win of the season.