The NBA regular season resumes with an excellent holiday slate on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, with a total of 7 matchups on the docket scheduled for this Monday. So, our staff of basketball betting experts dug into the latest odds and identified all the best value on the board for today.
Our betting experts have looked over the odds and made 6 NBA picks for MLK Day. Continue below for our NBA best bets and predictions for Monday, January 20.
NBA Best Bets, Predictions, Picks, Odds: Monday, January 20
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 3 p.m. | |
  | 3:30 p.m. | |
  | 12 p.m. | |
  | 2 p.m. | |
  | 8 p.m. | |
| 8 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. | ||
Knicks vs. Hawks
Jalen Johnson has had 15 rebounds in each of his two games against the Knicks, while scoring 23 and 21, respectively.
I don't know if Johnson will get all those boards a third straight time, but I like taking him in a favorable matchup at plus-money to hurt the Knicks on the glass tonight — and with his scoring — a third straight time.
Johnson just returned from injury on Saturday, and immediately racked up 14 points and 13 rebounds in his first game back against Boston.
He's recorded a double double in nine of his last 12 heading into MLK Day.
Pick: Jalen Johnson Double Double (+100)
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Suns vs. Cavaliers
By Joe Dellera
Nick Richards made his impact known immediately upon joining the Phoenix Suns and should continue to find success.
The key for Richards is he finally got extended playing time without sharing a roster with Mark Williams. He played 29 minutes and racked up 21 points and 11 rebounds.
When he has played 25+ minutes, he has averaged 27 Points + Rebounds (PR) this season.
The matchup against the Cavs is not ideal given their overall defense. However, they will be without Evan Mobley tonight, and they are a surprisingly average rebounding team despite the dual bigs.
He has the clear path to minutes, and when he’s played, he hits this line.
I’ll play this baseline and sprinkle on a double double at +240.
Pick: Nick Richards Over 18.5 Points + Rebounds (-137)
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Mavericks vs. Hornets
The 15.5s are drying up, but there are still a few out there. I'd guess this is at least 16.5 everywhere by game time. Mark Williams hit this prop for us again last game, scoring 19 points against Chicago. More importantly, he took a season-high 17 shots and played 33 minutes.
Williams' playing time continues to increase, and he's averaged 17.8 PPG in the 9 games he's topped 20 minutes.
In 2 games since backup center Nick Richards was traded, Williams has averaged 34.6 MPG and 25 PPG. He's posted career-best marks in scoring, usage, and free throw attempts.
Dallas is allowing the 9th-most points per game to centers. They're only 17th in points in the paint allowed, but they're giving up the 7th-most 2nd-chance points per game.
Williams is top-12 in the league in offensive rebounds per game and top 15 in 2nd-chance points per game among regulars.
Pick: Mark Williams Over 15.5 Points (-135)
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Pistons vs. Rockets
Only three teams give up fewer points per game than the Rockets, who hold opponents to an average of 107.9. Houston also ranks third in defensive field goal percentage.
The Pistons rank in the middle in scoring defense. However, their defensive efficiency rating shoots up to sixth, if you only go by their last 10 games.
This is a very early start time because of Martin Luther King Day. That's a plus for the Under as well.
Pick: Under 222.2 (-110)
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Jazz vs. Pelicans
I love Zion Williamson props in this one. Over 7.5 Rebounds, Over 4.5 Assist, or the combo Points + Assist at 11.5 or 12.5.
The Jazz have been playing pace-up, Zion is seeing his minutes increase, and the Jazz are missing John Collins to match Zion's athleticism from the power forward spot.
This is a repeat matchup where Zion had 14 rebounds and 6 assist against them just three days ago.
With no game between and back at home, look for a similar dominant performance from Zion.
Pick: Zion Williamson Over 7.5 Rebounds (+100)
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Jazz vs. Pelicans
By Nick Parsons
The Jazz are now 10-30 after losing back-to-back games, most recently a 136-123 loss here to Near Orleans on Friday.
The Jazz have seen the total go Over in three straight games, but note that Utah has also seen the total go Under in four of its last five when playing to three or more straight Overs in a row.
The Jazz have also seen the total go Under in eight of their last 12 in trying to avenge a SU/ATS road loss vs. an opponent.
The Pelicans are only 11-32, but they've now won three straight. And with Milwaukee coming to town next, I think the home side takes its foot off the gas here and may get caught looking ahead.
Either way you cut it, I'm anticipating a much lower-scoring war here in Monday's rematch. The play is the Under.
Pick: Under 232.5 (-110)
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