Best Sports Betting Picks Today: NBA, NHL Predictions for January 3

There is truly something special about the best in any league crossing paths at the peak, intersecting at the pinnacle of the sport with pride and professional legacies swinging in the balance. 

There’s a quality we should also appreciate when the two bottom feeders in any pro sports league are paired, when there’s still pride in the line and a level of humble searching is sprinkled atop. 

Let’s take a moment to size up the stare down set for Friday night in the NBA. 

Wizards at Pelicans

They are, in as many words, the worst. 

At least by the standings to date. The Washington Wizards visit the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night in a misery-loves-company special.

The Wizards have six wins this season, but three of the wins have come in the last seven games. The Pelicans have won just five games, and their last was nearly a month ago. The Pelicans have lost 11 in a row and 20 of their last 21.

Miami beat New Orleans by 11 points on Wednesday, but during the losing streak, the Pelicans have had losses by five points, two points, three points in overtime, and three points in regulation.

But they’ve also had losses by 15, 17 and 20 points. They have squandered fourth-quarter leads and dug significant first-quarter holes, which was the case Wednesday when the Heat took a 20-5 lead midway through the first quarter.

Pick: Wizards +7.5, -110 FanDuel

Canadiens at Blackhawks

Montreal will aim to keep its good fortunes rolling Friday against the skidding Chicago Blackhawks, who are proving easy prey inside, outside, and points between.

The Blackhawks haven’t lost three straight games by at least four goals since 1987. They’re in the same boat now and have lost five in a row overall. 

On Tuesday at Wrigley Field, the Blackhawks were buried 6-2 by rival St. Louis, falling to 0-5 all-time in the league’s regular-season showcase event.

Taking the show on the road has helped spark Montreal. 

After losing 5-4 at Columbus to begin a six-game road trip, Montreal has prevailed by a combined count of 12-4 over the past three games.

Pick: Montreal -1.5, game Over 6 goals combined (+185)