Bucks odds, line, spread: 2021 NBA picks, Feb. 3 predictions from model on 73-44 roll The SportsLine Projection Model simulated Bucks vs. Pacers 10,000 times.
Yesterday, we made our MVP predictions. Today, we're tackling other 2021 NBA awards.
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER. Rob Mahoney: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks. Tempting as it is to pick. The NBA season officially begins tomorrow night and we asked our writers to predict which players will take home hardware this upcoming year. Here is The Crossover's 2020-21 NBA awards predictions.
Defensive Player of the Year
Kurt Helin: Anthony Davis (Lakers)
Davis was the Lakers' anchor a year ago and almost won this award, and I expect this year he could take home the trophy because he again will be critical to what should be a top defense — and voters will see plenty of him. Of course, Giannis Antetokounmpo could win it again, but voters tend to gravitate toward big men who protect the paint, such as Rudy Gobert (Utah), Joel Embiid (Philadelphia), and Bam Adebayo (Miami). Marcus Smart should get some love here, too.
Dan Feldman: Rudy Gobert (Jazz)
Rudy Gobert has been the NBA's best regular-season defender over the last several years. He is the safest pick. Derrick Favors returning to Utah should make the Jazz's defense even better, which will reflect well on Gobert.
Anthony Davis, Kawhi Leonard, Draymond Green and Joel Embiid all have a chance depending on how much they put into the regular season. Giannis Antetokounmpo could repeat, though he might be at the stage he saves something for the playoffs. Bam Adebayo is another safe candidate considering his effort level should be high throughout the regular season.
Rookie of the Year
Kurt Helin: Isaac Okoro (Cavaliers)
Winning ROY requires a blend of talent and opportunity, and that combo should be available to a few players this season. LaMelo Ball has an 'it' factor, but he is also 3-of-15 shooting in two preseason games and his defense is an issue. Will he be efficient enough? Obi Toppin with the Knicks and Anthony Edwards with the Timberwolves will get chances and put up numbers.
But I will go with Okoro — he's going to get all the run in Cleveland he wants, he will be a strong defender, he's shown a better shooting touch than we saw at Auburn. Collin Sexton will get him the rock in good spots and Okoro is in line to put up bigger numbers than expected.
Dan Feldman: Anthony Edwards (Timberwolves)
Set to hold a big role on an offensive-minded team, Anthony Edwards looks most likely to lead rookies in scoring. That puts him in the driver's seat for this award. The No. 1 pick might even wind up deserving it.
He narrowly outpaces the top player on my 2020 NBA draft board – LaMelo Ball, who should hold a prominent role on the Hornets.
Sixth Man of the Year
Kurt Helin: Jordan Clarkson (Jazz)
A gunner off the bench who racks up numbers often wins this award — think Lou Williams — and Jordan Clarkson is poised to be that guy in Utah. Clarkson is a bucket getter who averaged 15.2 points a game last season and if that number goes up, and he's efficient, he will be in line for this award. I could put Dennis Schroder from the Lakers on top of the list, but my guess is he will start too many games to qualify; if not, he should be a favorite as well. Watch out for Spencer Dinwiddie in Brooklyn, and maybe Montrezl Harrell with the Lakers (he would repeat as the winner).
Dan Feldman: Montrezl Harrell (Lakers)
Montrezl Harrell earned this award last season. Free agency didn't go as he hoped, but he can re-enter the market next summer. That gives him major motivation to prove himself again. With the Lakers, he'll have playmakers like LeBron James and Dennis Schroder (another candidate for this award… if he comes off the bench) to set him up.
Danilo Gallinari, who'll come off the bench for the Hawks, is another intriguing consideration. Lou Williams and Spencer Dinwiddie are perennial candidates.
Most Improved Player
Kurt Helin: Michael Porter Jr. (Nuggets)
By definition this is the hardest award to project because it is often about the player who surprises us the most with a step forward.
Michael Porter Jr. wouldn't be a total surprise, we started to see him live up to his potential in the bubble, but he could have a breakout season on a winning team and that can catch the attention of voters. His teammate Jamal Murray could be in the mix, too. Christian Wood in Houston, Deandre Ayton in Phoenix, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in Oklahoma City are other names to watch.
Dan Feldman: Zion Williamson (Pelicans)
This is the most difficult award to predict. By nature, it tends to go to someone who surprises. Voters also discount second-year players, especially highly drafted ones like Williamson.
But he's primed for a leap. As productive as he was in his limited minutes last season, Williamson was severely lacking defensively. He also didn't show his full offensive repertoire. As he gets into better shape, Williamson could play even better. More importantly, he could massively increase his impact by being available for more playing time.
Nba Predictions Expert
I also like Suns center Deandre Ayton, who fits the same mold as a talented player with an elite physical profile who can do more.
Coach of the Year
Kurt Helin: Tyronn Lue (Clippers)
The Clippers had and have the talent to compete for a ring, but chemistry concerns (some caused by injury) ripped the team apart last season. If Tyronn Lue can keep the Clippers on the same page, on the court, and near the top of the West voters may line up behind him to win the award.
Erik Spoelstra in Miami, Monte Williams in Phoenix, and Doc Rivers in Philadelphia also should be in the mix.
Dan Feldman: Doc Rivers (76ers)
The 76ers successfully lowered expectations last season just in time for Doc Rivers to arrive and get credit for their rise. He'd almost certainly deserve some. He's a good coach. Rivers could definitely do a better job than Brett Brown of getting this talented team pulling in the same direction. But that's also easier with a better-fitting roster that has more shooting around Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons.
Suns coach Monty Williams is also positioned to coach well and have his team's roster improvement reflect well on him.
Nba Coach Of The Year Award
That said, this is another award where the element of surprise helps.
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Two of the NBA's hottest teams will collide Sunday afternoon. Utah and Denver have blazed their own trails with their recent play and neither club has forgotten about last year's playoff matchup.
Utah Jazz vs. Denver Nuggets
Sunday, January 31, 2021 – 03:30 PM EST at Ball Arena
These Northwest Division are not only two of the hottest teams in The Association, they are intersecting at a unique point. Utah is on a monumental 11-0 SU and ATS run and closed their six-game homestand 6-0 SU & ATS. The Jazz will play four of their next five contests on the road starting today.
Denver returns home after four wins and four spread covers out of five games away from snowy Colorado and they are riding a 5-1 SU and ATS stretch of their own. The Nuggets will be home six of their next eight confrontations beginning this afternoon.
With no football this Sunday, this would have been a great game to have somewhere other then NBA-TV. Regardless, that's where it can be viewed and betting websites like BetOnline will have NBA lines early Sunday morning on this matchup and we'll explain why further ahead in this article.
Nba Coach Of The Year 2020
Denver Playing Their Brand of Ball
The Nuggets (11-8, 9-10 ATS) sluggish start is all but forgotten after their 1-4 beginning of the season. Two aspects have changed since play began for the Nuggets. The most obvious is they started working harder to run down rebounds, which includes squaring off the opposing player in their area. (Hardly anyone blocks out anymore.) Denver has moved up to 9th Average Rebound and 3rd in Rebound Rate.
This has meant fewer possessions and put backs for opposing teams while generating more offensive chances when working and hustling for offensive boards. The other meaningful factor is the team has come together on the floor. When the year began there was a disconnect and head coach Mike Malone saw five individuals on the court playing in their own world, not as a group.
Once Malone's crew started winning and realized what it took, with him verbally pushing that narrative, Denver players began playing for each other. One person Malone didn't have to worry about was Nikola Jokic, who is one assist short of averaging a triple-double year to date. When the offense runs through Jokic, it runs smoother and that frees up others to play to their strengths, which helps them score and has a carryover on defense.
Utah is the Full Package
This brilliant period of Jazz basketball has pointed to just how good this team might be. Utah (15-4, 14-5 ATS) has seen players miss time with a nagging injury or two and that included leading scorer Donovan Mitchell and Derrick Favors.
When guys are missing, others take it upon themselves to step up, not selfishly, but within the team concept. Thus, Jazz fans or those making NBA picks have not had an issue backing Utah, believing Rudy Gobert, Jordan Clarkson, or Joe Ingles will do what is necessary for their team to win.
'We want to be unselfish, help each other on both ends of the floor,' Jazz coach Quin Snyder said. 'I think we're covering for each other, our communication defensively. The game can be simple if you let it be.' Synder's club has the best record in the NBA and the numbers bear that out.
Utah enters this clash first in point differential. On offense, they are in the Top 10 in scoring, offensive efficiency, and three-point accuracy (2nd). On the other end of the floor, Gobert and company are in the Top 6 in points allowed, field goal percentage defense, 3-point defense, and defensive efficiency. This team can do it all.
The Point Spread Winner
It is clear Utah still feels the sting of giving away a 3-1 lead in last season's Western Conference playoffs to Denver. The Jazz earned some satisfaction from that disappointment, winning 109-105 as 1.5-point home favorites two weeks ago.
The oddsmakers at sportsbooks have to take into consideration the Jazz is 7-2 (6-3 ATS) on the road while Denver has the exact set of figures playing at altitude. What they also have to know is if Donovan and Favors are going to play (both are questionable), this pair did not Friday.
Our anticipated power ratings have Denver by one if Donovan and Favors play and the Nuggets would be a bigger favorite, especially without Mitchell, otherwise. Our inclination that a change in venues will help Denver and work against Utah and we will grab the Nuggets at home.
NBA Picks: Nuggets -1 (-110) at BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)
*The pick reflects the line at the moment the writer made the play, the odds at the beginning of this article show the live line movement. Since the lines might vary, don't forget to refer back to our live odds.
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