In Between the Lines: Chapter 16
Time flies when you’re having fun. It’s the end of January and the Super Bowl is already next weekend! The Kansas City Chiefs are currently 3.5-point favorites. This weekend, however, all the action is in the NBA, NHL and college basketball.
With a stacked sports schedule comes fervent sports bettors. “In Between the Lines” gives avid fans and sports bettors exactly what they want. Looking ahead to the upcoming week in sports, “In Between the Lines” offers inside analysis on line movements and key stats.
Here’s what you absolutely can’t miss this upcoming week in sports:
1. NBA – Los Angeles Lakers at Boston Celtics (1/30/21 at 8:30pm)
The Boston Celtics have gone 5-2 in home games so far this season. However, the Los Angeles Lakers are 10-2 on the road so far this season. Boston’s Jaylen Brown ranks seventh in the NBA with 27.1 PPG. Los Angeles’ Lebron James averages 25.5, 7.8 rebounds and 7.5 assists per game.
The Lakers are coming off a big loss on Thursday against the Detroit Pistons. The game wasn’t even close, as the Pistons won 107-92. This loss partially had to do with the fact that Anthony Davis was out with a bruised quad. Prior to Thursday’s loss against the Pistons, the Lakers also lost on the road against the Philadelphia 76ers…by a point.
This is the first time these two teams will meet this season. This will only be the second time so far this season that Boston’s triple threat will play together. In case you don’t know, the triple threat consists of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Kemba Walker. I like the Celtics on the moneyline in this one.
2. College Basketball – Virginia Cavaliers at Virginia Tech Hokies (1/30/21 at 6pm)
The Virginia Cavaliers are 11-2 so far this season and have won seven games straight. The Cavaliers are in sole possession of the first-place spot in the ACC. Indeed, this is quite impressive. However, Virginia only has one victory against a ranked opponent so far this season. They completely demolished the then-No.12 Clemson Tigers 85-50 on January 16th.
The Virginia Tech Hokies are 12-3 with three victories over ranked opponents. Out of those three victories, the most impressive one was probably when the Hokies defeated the Villanova Wildcats 81-73 on November 28th in overtime.
The Cavaliers have won four games in a row against the Hokies. Additionally, they have won seven of nine games, dating back to 1915. I like Virginia on the moneyline at -213, but I think this will be a really close matchup, as Virginia Tech is off to a great start this season as well.
3. PGA Tour – Farmers Insurance Open Final Round (1/31/21)
Patrick Reed is off to a good start at the 2021 Farmers Insurance Open. He is currently tied for first place at 8-under par on the tournament. Through seven holes on Saturday, he is even on the day. Reed won the Masters and the Ryder Cup back in 2018. In 2019, he won the Northern Trust at Liberty National Golf Club in New York City. I like Reed to win the Farmers Insurance Open or at least make the top five. He was +2500 prior to the start of the tournament.
