We wrap up a successful week of NBA wagers with two of our favorite betting trends going, Cleveland Cavaliers Under and Milwaukee Bucks first half spreads.
The Cavs have cashed the Under in 10 straight games, but have a low total against the New York Knicks, while the Bucks have covered the first-half spread in eight of their last nine games, but welcome a hot Dallas Mavericks team to town.
Will these trends stay hot? Find out as we break down the basketball odds for those and more with our best free NBA picks and predictions for Friday, January 15.
NBA Picks for Today
New York Knicks vs Cleveland Cavaliers
There is no hotter trend going in the NBA than Cleveland Cavaliers Unders and you can bet we’re going to keep riding this trend until it cools off or sportsbooks make the proper adjustments. Next up for the Cavs is a date with the New York Knicks.
Cleveland has cashed 10 Unders in a row thanks to the team’s commitment on the defensive end of the floor, combined with their aversion for scoring.
The Cavs lead the NBA in opponent scoring, allowing just 104 points per game, and are third in defensive rating. At the same time, they sit dead last in offensive rating and scoring, putting up just 98.9 points per game. It doesn’t help that Cleveland’s top two scorers – Collin Sexton and Darius Garland – will miss at least one more game each. And now it sounds like even Andre Drummond is questionable for this matchup.
On the other side, the Knicks aren’t exactly offensive savants either. The only team that scores fewer than their 100.8 points per game is, of course, the Cavs. At the same time, New York ranks fourth in opponent scoring.
Simply put, these are two awful offenses who try hard on defense. This total would have to come out around 190 to even think about considering the Over.
PREDICTION: Under 197.5 (-110)
Dallas Mavericks vs Milwaukee Bucks
It may not be Cavaliers Unders, but Fear the (first-half) Deer is another NBA betting trend that has been hot in the early parts of this season. While the Milwaukee Bucks are just 6-6 ATS this season, they have been a fantastic first-half bet and will look for another strong start when they host the Dallas Mavericks Friday.
While the Bucks' full game ATS results have been inconsistent, they’ve been very profitable when it comes to first-half spreads, going 9-3 against the number, including 8-1 in the last nine games. And there’s a good reason why.
First of all, the Bucks' offense is rolling. They rank first in scoring and offensive rating, and they are doing a good bulk of that damage in the first half. Milwaukee’s 62.2 first-half points and its +9.0 first-half margin are tops in the NBA.
The Mavericks will provide a little stiffer test, having won and covered four straight games. They are a strong defensive bunch and Kristaps Porzingis is back from injury to give Luka Doncic some support.
While the Mavs are a strong first-half team in terms of average margin, their inconsistent offense is holding them back a bit. Dallas ranks 17th in offensive rating and 21st in scoring, and are putting 56.2 points in the first half of games, making this number too good to pass up.
PREDICTION: Bucks -3.5 First Half (-110)
Los Angeles Clippers vs Sacramento Kings
Paul George has been unconscious from beyond the arc so far this season. The Clippers forward has been so lights-out he’s actually shooting a better percentage from 3-point range than he is on 2-pointers. George will try to stay hot when he and the Clippers visit the Sacramento Kings.
George is shooting a ridiculous 51.6 percent from 3-point range on 8.3 attempts per game, and has hit five threes in three consecutive games. On top of that, George has hit four or more threes in nine of his 11 games this season.
So, it should be no surprise we are taking a hard look at George’s made threes prop of 3.5 Friday night against the Kings. Sacramento is one of the worst defensive teams in the NBA, ranking dead last in defensive rating and defensive efficiency, and 26th in opponent 3-point percentage. We’re betting George keeps up his sharpshooting ways in this one.
PREDICTION: Paul George Over 3.5 Made Threes (-120)
Top NBA Consensus for Today
Want to know who today's biggest NBA betting and consensus bets are right now? Check out our top NBA consensus picks.
Yesterday's picks: 2-1 (+0.78 units)
Season record to date: 35-26-1 (+6.74 units)
NBA Betting Card for January 15
- NYK-CLE Under 197.5 (-110)
- Bucks -3.5 First Half (-110)
- Paul George Over 3.5 Made Threes (-120)
NBA Parlays
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