Lets start off our picks for Jan 10 by looking at the Atlanta Hawks and the Washington Wizards, as they meet in Washington tonight and both are hoping to recover from recent losses.  By the end of the game, though, only one will add to the win column, and this match will see the Hawks having played each Eastern Conference team at least once this season.  Unfortunately for Atlanta, it doesn’t look like even Trae Young’s talent will be enough to carry the team.

Picks Feb 10 – Go Wizards

At 8-30, the Hawks could be viewed as one of the worst teams in the NBA this year.  However, the Wizards aren’t too much better.  They sit on a record of 12-25 and have been inconsistent in most of their recent games.  They have pulled into seventh-best in terms of offensive ranking in the league, but are also giving up 117.6 points on every 100 possessions.

This game is going to be a haphazard battle that both teams will want to put behind them, but Washington takes the win.  The score might run high, but, at 236.5 points, it’s a little too high.  The UNDER 236.5 (-106) is going to be worth some extra money.

Knicks vs Pelicans

The New Orleans Pelicans are off to Madison Square Garden to take on the New York Knicks and, despite not having a strong record, have found some success lately.  They’ve taken the win in seven of their last ten games and are ready to add another one tonight.  The only thing stopping them is a poor defensive showing that has led to the team’s 13-25 record.

The Knicks have had things more difficult lately, losing all four of their most recent road games.  They’ll be happy to be back on their own court, but will still be weak on offense and defense, just like they have been in all of their games lately.  In terms of field goal, three point and free throw percentages, the Pels dominate the Knicks and, with a moneyline of -190, will easily take the victory.  New Orleans (-4.5, -115) has been able to easily cover the spread in their last ten games, going 8-1-1 against the spread (ATS), and will do it once again tonight, as well. One of our nailed on picks for Feb 10.

Pacers vs Bulls

The Indiana Pacers face the Chicago Bulls tonight in a game that will see the Pacers turn into matadors.  The Pacers (-139) have dominated the Bulls in the last six meetings and Chicago is coming off an embarrassing five-game losing streak that has the entire squad frustrated.  With Wendell Carter out due to an ankle injury, Chicago is looking even a little weaker than normal.

The Pacers (-3.5, +105) are good ATS tonight, but only because the Bulls are worse.  As the home underdog, the Bulls have a 3-7 record ATS and aren’t going to show anything tonight that would turn this around.  The Under at 214.5 (-115) deserves some action, especially given the expectation that the Bulls aren’t going to be able to put up any real numbers.

Mavericks vs Lakers

Next for our Feb 10 picks, it’s a showdown between two powerhouses of the Western Conference as the LA Lakers head to American Airlines Center to take on the Dallas Mavericks.  On any other night, this would be a particularly tight contest, but the Lakers are most likely going to have to play without Anthony Davis, who is listed as questionable because of injuries.  Even if he comes in, he won’t be at 100%, and the Mavs are going to take full advantage of either his absence or his weakened state.

Dallas is having to deal with some injuries in the NBA, as well, but they have more depth than the Lakers do and can find relief easier when needed.  AT -134, the Mavs are the definite favorite, but a look at the Over/Under is a better choice.  An Under 225 has the potential to fatten a few wallets, especially since these two teams have seen their total go under in six of their last seven contests.