As we are on our last day of a very confusing 2020, we look at NBA and college basketball to ring in the new year with some winners. Let’s look into my three best bets and how we can end 2020 on a positive note.
Philadelphia 76ers versus Orlando Magic (+3)
My first pick of the day is the surprise of the NBA so far in this young season, the Orlando Magic. The Magic who are led by Nikola Vucevic and Markelle Fultz are 4-0 to start the season. Vucevic is averaging well over a double-double with 20 points and 11.5 rebounds per game. Fultz, maybe the front runner for Most Improved Player, is averaging 18.3 points and 5.8 assists per game. Not only are the Magic 4-0 straight up but they’re also 4-0 against the spread for the season. I have to go with the hot team here. Not only is Fultz playing the best basketball of his career so far, but he is also playing against the team that gave up on him. Give me Fultz against his former team. Take the +3 and if you’re feeling dangerous, sprinkle that Magic ML.
Michigan (-2) versus Maryland
The #16 Michigan Wolverines travel to College Park, Maryland to take on the Terrapins. The Wolverines are coming into this game without a loss on the season starting 7-0 straight up and 5-2 against the spread. Maryland is coming off their best game of the season beating the #6 Wisconsin Badgers in Madison. They come into this matchup 9-1 overall and 5-4-1 against the spread. I see this game as a letdown game for the Terps. After having a big win just two days ago, still – it’s easy to keep thinking about the game they just won. It would also be an insane week for the Terps if they pulled this off with upsetting two of the top 16 teams in the country in a 3-day span. Michigan game changer for this game is going to be the 7-foot freshman, Hunter Dickinson. Dickinson has averaged 15.3 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks. Take the Wolverines on the road to keep them undefeated.
NBA Moneyline Parlay: Wizards, Raptors, Rockets +150
Yes, I know what you’re thinking. Am I crazy? You could say a little bit. None of these teams have won a game so far this season and I just don’t foresee any of these teams to keep losing.
The Wizards are 0-4 but play the Chicago Bulls at home this afternoon. Russell Westbrook has a triple-double in three of the four games and I don’t see that translating into more losses. Especially against the abysmal Chicago Bulls.
The Raptors are somehow 0-3 and that is 100% going to end tonight. The Raptors welcome the 2-2 New York Knicks. With the talent the Raptors have and the coaching of Nick Nurse, I just don’t see them continue to trend in this direction. It probably doesn’t help that they’re playing in Tampa, Florida instead of their home in Toronto.
The Rockets have had a tough start, with them being the first team to be affected by Covid-19 this season. So with their third game coming tonight against Sacramento, the Rockets are playing at full strength with John Wall, Demarcus Cousins, and Eric Gordon all making their season debut. At full strength, this is going to be a tough team to beat. Take the Rockets