Best Sports Betting Picks Today: NBA, NHL, College Basketball Predictions for January 8 | Deadspin.com

We have one more day to wait before the start of the College Football Playoff semifinals, but Wednesday night still presents a good mix of NBA, hockey and college hoops to whet our appetites.Best Sports Betting Picks Today: NBA, NHL, College Basketball Predictions for January 8 | Deadspin.com

The game of the night in the Association has to be the clash of conference leaders, the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Cleveland Cavaliers—owners of the two best records in basketball with 15- and 10-game winning streaks, respectively.Best Sports Betting Picks Today: NBA, NHL, College Basketball Predictions for January 8 | Deadspin.com

We’ll make a pick for that game, along with the only ranked-on-ranked game on the college schedule and an NHL prop bet that’s hard to turn down. Let’s get on with these Hump Day picks:Best Sports Betting Picks Today: NBA, NHL, College Basketball Predictions for January 8 | Deadspin.com

Best Sports Betting Picks Today: NBA, NHL, College Basketball Predictions for January 8 | Deadspin.com

On paper, it’s a classic strength-versus-strength matchup. Cleveland ranks second in scoring offense (122.5 ppg) and first in both field goal percentage (50.4) and 3-point percentage (40.4). Oklahoma City is first across the board in scoring defense (103.0 ppg), field goal percentage allowed (42.6) and 3-point defense (32.7).

When that happens, I like to check out the other side of the ball. OKC has a borderline top-10 offense by the numbers, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a verifiable MVP, but the Cavs don’t get enough credit for their defense (fourth in FG% allowed, ninth in points). Without Chet Holmgren at OKC’s disposal, Jarrett Allen gives Cleveland the edge against Isaiah Hartenstein down low.

The reality is the Thunder’s 15-game winning streak (not counting their loss to the Bucks in the NBA Cup championship game) has been hanging on by a thread. For four straight games, they’ve trailed at halftime and trailed by double digits at some point.

That means they’ve been a great second-half team, but when you run into the best shooting team in the league? It will be harder to dig out of a hole of any size. Take the home favorites.

Cavaliers -2.5, -110 (DraftKings)

Best Sports Betting Picks Today: NBA, NHL, College Basketball Predictions for January 8 | Deadspin.com

Oklahoma had a great run through November and December that included wins over Arizona, Louisville and Michigan. The Sooners’ 13-0 record was then punctured on their trip to Alabama on Saturday, as they were blown away 107-79 in their first SEC game of the season.

Texas A&M is in a different spot, having picked up two losses in November before rattling off eight wins in a row and crushing Texas 80-60 in the SEC opener. The Aggies, though, lost their only true road game so far, and Oklahoma is 8-0 at home, perhaps owing to why they’re favored by 1.5 points on DraftKings.

Despite that, the rebounding matchup here is too lopsided for Oklahoma to thrive. The Sooners average the fewest rebounds per game in the SEC and just allowed Alabama to turn 22 offensive rebounds into 25 second-chance points.

Texas A&M should be licking their collective lips as they hear that, as the Aggies are the No. 1 offensive rebounding team in the nation. They’ll use the boards to control this game and keep their winning streak going.

Texas A&M moneyline, +120 (DraftKings)

Best Sports Betting Picks Today: NBA, NHL, College Basketball Predictions for January 8 | Deadspin.com

The Avalanche get a ton of offense from their defensemen. Lately, it’s been Devon Toews who’s showing off a bit, but the real star of the show remains Cale Makar.

The former Norris Trophy winner for best defenseman in the league, Makar leads all NHL blueliners in points (49), assists (36, tied with Vancouver’s Quinn Hughes) and goals (13). At the halfway mark of the season, he’s on pace to set career highs in assists and points, but he only has two goals in his last five games.

We think that changes tonight. The Blackhawks are the worst team in the league for a reason. Their defense has been atrocious during their recent 1-6-0 stretch, and they’ve given up six goals to defensemen in those seven games. Pucks get through whether it’s Petr Mrazek or Arvid Soderblom in net.

It feels like the right night to grab Makar for an anytime goal-scorer bet.

Cale Makar to score a goal anytime, +260 (DraftKings)