What better way nurse your New Year’s Day hangover than with your feet up and 10 NBA games on the board ripe for the betting. Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks are one of those teams hoping to begin 2021 on the right foot when they take on the Bulls after a somewhat surprising 2-3 start to the season.
So, let’s open the new year in the black, as we dive into the pro basketball odds, giving you our favorite NBA free picks and predictions for Friday, January 1.
NBA Picks for Today
Chicago Bulls vs Milwaukee Bucks
It’s a little shocking to see the Milwaukee Bucks with a 2-3 record as we begin 2021, considering they lost all of 17 games a season ago. Two-time reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo will try to get the Bucks back on track when they open the new year against the Chicago Bulls.
The Bucks’ offense hasn’t been the problem. They rank second in the NBA in scoring at 124.2 points per game, second in offensive efficiency, and are first in three-point shooting percentage. Now, they’ll face a Bulls defense that ranks 28th in opponent scoring and 23rd in defensive rating.
The problem for the Bucks has been the defense. Last season Milwaukee led the league in defensive rating but it ranks just 15th through its first five games, and now has to play a Bulls team with some offensive punch. Led by Zach LaVine, the Bulls put up 117.2 points per game, but they are playing their second game in as many nights, so let’s look at the first half before they run out of gas.
Chicago averages 58.8 first-half points this season, good for 10th best in the NBA, while Milwaukee ranks third in that category, putting up 61.8 first-half points per game. Add in that these two teams rank in the Top 10 in pace and we like the first half to go Over its total.
PREDICTION: Milwaukee-Chicago first half Over 115 (-110)
Boston Celtics vs Detroit Pistons
The Boston Celtics have started the season on fire from 3-point range, hitting nearly 40 percent of their attempts, and it's highlighted by an impressive 7-10 performance from Jaylen Brown last time out against the Grizzlies. But he’s not the only one finding success from beyond the arc, and the Celtics will keep their shooting hands hot when they visit the Detroit Pistons.
One of the reasons the Celtics have become a great 3-point shooting team has been the development of Marcus Smart. The tenacious defender was never known for his shooting early in his career, but that has really turned around the last two seasons and that has carried over to this year.
After going 0-2 from beyond the arc in the Celtics’ opener, Smart has shot 12-26 from deep (46.2 percent) and has three or more 3-pointers in three of the last four games. Friday, Smart and the Celtics open the New Year going up against a Pistons squad that is allowing opponents to hit 39.7 percent of their 3-point attempts this season. There is a lot of value with Smart’s made 3-pointers prop.
PREDICTION: Marcus Smart Over 2.5 Made 3-Pointers (+105)
Phoenix Suns at Denver Nuggets
After setting the bubble on fire with his play, it has been a bit of a rocky start to the season for Denver Nuggets’ guard Jamal Murray and it probably won’t get any smoother against the new-look Phoenix Suns.
Murray is averaging just 17.7 points per game on 39.5 percent shooting, and he hasn’t really been looking for help, as he has recorded six total assists over his first three games. In fact, if Nikola Jokic isn’t dishing the rock, it seems like no Nugget is. While Jokic is averaging 13.5 assists per game, the next closest Nugget is Monte Morris at 3.3.
Now, they face a Suns defense, being directed by Chris Paul, that ranks second in the Association in defensive rating and allows the fewest opponent assists per game. That means Murray’s assist total of 4.5 seems a little off for a guy who averages just 3.7 assists per game for his career. Bet on him going Under in this suddenly tough matchup.
PREDICTION: Jamal Murray Under 4.5 Assists (+100)
Enjoying Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account
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: 2-0 (+2.41 units) - Terrance Ross did not play
Season record to date: 14-6 (+7.64 units)
NBA Betting Card for January 1
- CHI-MIL First Half Over 115 (-110)
- Marcus Smart Over 2.5 Made 3-Pointers (+105)
- Jamal Murray Under 4.5 Assists (+100)
NBA Parlays
Did you know that if you parlayed today’s NBA betting picks, you could win $68.27 on a $10 bet?
Use our NBA parlay calculator to create your own parlays and see their potential payouts.
Where Can I Bet on the NBA?
You can bet on NBA odds at every online and casino sportsbook, including NBA moneylines, spreads, Over/Under totals, and a ton of NBA prop odds. Head over to our best-suggested sportsbooks for the top spots to bet on NBA odds in your area.
