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NBA Best Bets Today | Expert Picks for Wednesday (Jan. 17)

NBA Best Bets Today | Expert Picks for Wednesday (Jan. 17) article feature image
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Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images. Pictured: Trae Young as we break down the NBA best bets and expert picks for Wednesday, January 17.

The NBA season continues on Wednesday with a massive 10 game slate — which means we have plenty of NBA best bets today and expert picks for Wednesday.

Our Action Network NBA betting experts are ready with their five best bets for tonight, featuring a three bets against the spread, an over/under pick and a player prop.

Find their NBA best bets and expert picks for Wednesday below!


NBA Best Bets Today | Expert Picks for Wednesday

GameTime (ET)Pick
Minnesota Timberwolves LogoDetroit Pistons Logo
7 p.m.
Milwaukee Bucks LogoCleveland Cavaliers Logo
7:30 p.m.
Orlando Magic LogoAtlanta Hawks Logo
7:30 p.m.
Houston Rockets LogoNew York Knicks Logo
7:30 p.m.
Golden State Warriors LogoUtah Jazz Logo
9 p.m.
Specific betting recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our NBA Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game. 

Editor's note: Wednesday's game between the Warriors and Jazz has been postponed due to a serious medical situation involving Golden State assistant Dejan Milojevic.


Timberwolves vs. Pistons

Minnesota Timberwolves Logo
Wednesday Jan. 17
7 p.m. ET
NBA League Pass
Detroit Pistons Logo
Over 223
DraftKings  Logo

By Michael Fiddle

The opening line for this total was 221.5 and since has universally climbed to 223. While we have some key injuries to consider, Anthony Edwards is questionable with knee tendonitis and Cade Cunningham is confirmed out, this bet is more about style of play and anticipated pace over on court talent. The Pistons have overhauled their style and are shooting a much higher volume of 3s recently.

When looking at their season long splits, 3-point frequency and efficiency stats no longer relate to the way they are playing, and we can take advantage of this by playing overs until the market catches up. Already 1.5 points of movement to the over and the Pistons with a 24-16 season record towards covering overs, the time of the market catching up has not happened yet.

Pick: Over 223

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Bucks vs. Cavaliers

Milwaukee Bucks Logo
Wednesday Jan. 17
7:30 p.m. ET
ESPN
Cleveland Cavaliers Logo
Cavaliers +4
DraftKings  Logo

By Andrew O'Connor-Watts

This is mostly a Cavs bet, but also a bit of a Bucks fade. Let's start with the Cleveland side, who have been missing their All-Defensive sophomore center, Evan Mobley, but still managed to have the best defense over the past two weeks. The Cavs 100.7 Defensive Rating would be 90s-esque if they were somehow able to sustain it over the course of an entire season, and while it's unrealistic to assume that would happen, it's not unrealistic to think they could slow down the Bucks offense–at least enough to pull off a win at home.

Meanwhile, the Bucks are coming off impressive wins against Boston, Golden State and Sacramento, but the story has been the same for the Bucks as it has been all year–the offense is winning them games, but the defense is keeping it close. They're winning, but not covering.

The Cavs are not having that problem. They're 7-3 straight up and ATS in their last 10 and in the middle of a five-game winning streak. This is the last of a six-game home stand for the Cavs who also have the added motivation of home revenge, having lost to the Bucks in Cleveland at the end of 2023. I see value on Cleveland down to +1 and I'll sprinkle some on the moneyline as well.

Pick: Cavaliers +4



Magic vs. Hawks

Orlando Magic Logo
Wednesday Jan. 17
7:30 p.m. ET
NBA League Pass
Atlanta Hawks Logo
Hawks -3
FanDuel Logo

By Michael Fiddle

While I am playing the Atlanta Hawks against the spread, this bet is more an effort to fade the Orlando Magic. The Magic enter this road matchup without Franz Wagner, one of their young stars leading this surprise season. The impacts of the injury run deeper than the recent results show.

The Magic have won their last two games, but they were home against the Houston Rockets who do not travel well, and against the depleted Portland Trail Blazers. Now going up against a Hawks team who just coasted to an easy win over the Spurs at home are rested and prepared to spurn the Magic. I would play this number up to -4.5.

Pick: Hawks -3



Rockets vs. Knicks

Houston Rockets Logo
Wednesday Jan. 17
7:30 p.m. ET
NBA League Pass
New York Knicks Logo
Knicks -4.5
DraftKings  Logo

By Bryan Fonseca

I like the Knicks tonight assuming Jalen Brunson is in the lineup after missing the team's last couple of games.

The Rockets' positive start to the season has fallen apart largely because they can't win on the road where they're 4-14 straight up. This season, they're 5-10-1 agaiant the spread as a road underdog, which is the fourth worst in the NBA. The Knicks are 11-5 straight up at home and are 7-5 ATS as a home favorite, covering 58 percent of the time, 11th best in the league (10th until last night).

Rockets are 1-4 on this road trip, which will end tonight, where their only win is against the Pistons. Give me the Knicks, who I bet at -4.5 already, and would play down to -5.5.

Pick: Knicks -4.5



Warriors vs. Jazz

Golden State Warriors Logo
Wednesday Jan. 17
9 p.m. ET
NBA League Pass
Utah Jazz Logo
Kris Dunn Over 1.5 Steals + Blocks
DraftKings  Logo

By Joe Dellera

Editor's note: Wednesday's game between the Warriors and Jazz has been postponed due to a serious medical situation involving Golden State assistant Dejan Milojevic.

Kris Dunn has been excellent since being elevated to the Jazz’s starting unit. In 16 games as a starter he is averaging 5.7 points, 3.6 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.94 blocks per game. His toughness and tenacity on the defensive side of the ball cannot be understated.

Now, he gets a matchup with the Golden State Warriors who have the eighth-worst turnover percentage in the NBA, per NBA Advanced Stats. Considering the Warriors are also a bit undersized, Dunn should have no difficulty staying on the floor.

In the 16 games he has started, Dunn has exceeded 1.5 stocks in 12 of them. I like him to do so again tonight.

Pick: Kris Dunn Over 1.5 Steals + Blocks



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