The Sacramento Kings have their work cut out for them when they take on the Rockets in Houston on January 13th. This is a situation of both squads rebuilding for the long run as both squads look nothing like their early 2000’s heydays. The Kings look to go back to their past dominance in the west with stellar play from their youthful stalwarts. The Houston Rockets are still dealing with the after effects from the retirement of Yao Ming. The Houston Rockets are favored by 3 points by the oddsmakers and this wants to be a hard game to call.

The AT&T Center might get some long distance competition on Jan 13th as the Trailblazers go to San Antonio to battle against the San Antonio Spurs. Portland is a youthful squad looking to rebuild as the short but electric Brandon Roy era formally came to an end with his retirement in December. Previous #1 pick Greg Oden has also had continued problems with his knees as Portland apparently can not shake the specter of Sam Bowie. The San Antonio Spurs want to defend their court with spectacular plays from their usual steady roster. The San Antonio Spurs are favored by 8 points and this wants to be an amazing bet.

On Jan 12th, things heat up when the Cleveland Cavaliers come into Phoenix to take on the Suns. A couple of years ago, this would’ve been an outstanding contest with LeBron James and Amare Stoudemire going head up in a collision course. In the era of free agency nonetheless, times surely have changed as this contest looks dramatically different. Phoenix is liked by 6 points over the Cleveland Cavaliers and this appears to be a safe bet.

The United Center in Chicago will be on edge as the Washington Wizards arrive in town to take on the Bulls. In years past, this match would have been the hardest ticket to get as the second comeback by Michael Jordan turned the Wizards into media darlings all through the league. Jordan now is long retired however and the Wizards have changed into a great young team with vast quantities of possible waiting to be drawn on. The sportsbook has the Bulls liked by 8 points which sounds correct and sounds like a good bet with Chicago being rooted on at home.

Saturday night on January 14th, the Knicks come into Oklahoma City to take on the Thunder in this huge game between these 2 squads. It is a tale of 2 squads as the Thunder arrive in the game with a stable squad of young guns against the NY Knicks who it looks from year upon year often enters into play with a lot of modifications going on. The NY Knicks are preferred by 4 points and this might hold unless Durant has one of his usual killer matches.

The Staples Center will come alive on January 11th when the Heat competes with the Clippers. The Miami Heat comes in with one of the best records in the NBA supported by an awesome lineup of stars. The Miami Heat lead the league as a team in points scored and assists. The sports book has the Miami Heat preferred by 8 points and with the backcourt they have, it is apparently a sure wager. Let’s have a closer look at the Miami Heat this season and what they bring to the table.

These two teams have been doing relatively well this year. This should not be an unanticipated to anybody as both of these colleges are well known for their share of wins in basketball for many years. These two teams will be at it out on the hardwood on January 9, when Western Virginia visits Connecticut.

While this particular competition may not have the same energy that its football version does, the Jan 9 – Oklahoma at Oklahoma State game still has its own type of excitement. With the conference basketball year just under way, both the Sooners and Cowboys will try to set the tone for the remainder of their year with this game. In Oklahoma’s case, they will be seeking to continue what has been a good start as they concluded the non-conference slate with a 10-2 record.

On Jan 8th, postseason college football comes to Mobile, AL when the Red Wolves face the Huskies at the GoDaddy.com Bowl. Both squads arrive in the game with rookie head coaches with the Huskies helmed by first-year head coach Dave Doeren. Interim head coach David Gunn who’s been the running backs coach all season heads the Red Wolves. Gus Malzahn, who will take the reins after the season ends, has been opted for by Arkansas State. The take from the sports book is Arkansas State (-1 ½) with an over-under set at 63 points.