NBA Best Bets Today: Predictions, Picks, Odds for Saturday, January 18

NBA Best Bets Today: Predictions, Picks, Odds for Saturday, January 18 article feature image
Credit:

Getty Images: Tyrese Haliburton, Devin Booker, Donovan Mitchell

The NBA regular season resumes with another solid this Saturday, with a total of 6 matchups on the docket scheduled for today. So, our staff of basketball betting experts dug into the latest odds and identified all the best value on the board for tonight.

Our betting experts have looked over the odds and made 5 NBA picks for today's matchups. Continue below for our NBA best bets and predictions for Saturday, January 18.

NBA Best Bets, Predictions, Picks, Odds: Saturday, January 18

GameTime (ET)Pick
Phoenix Suns LogoDetroit Pistons Logo
4 p.m.
Philadelphia 76ers LogoIndiana Pacers Logo
7 p.m.
Cleveland Cavaliers LogoMinnesota Timberwolves Logo
9 p.m.
Atlanta Hawks LogoBoston Celtics Logo
7 p.m.
Cleveland Cavaliers LogoMinnesota Timberwolves 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.

Suns vs. Pistons

Phoenix Suns Logo
Saturday, Jan. 18
4 p.m. ET
NBA League Pass
Detroit Pistons Logo
Over 226.5 (-110)
BetMGM Logo

By Alex Hinton

Detroit will be abuzz tonight with the Lions hosting a Divisional Round playoff game. However, there is an exciting basketball game going in the Motor City today as well.

The Pistons will host in the Suns in a matchup of teams currently in Play-in position in their respective conferences.

The Suns will be continuing their road trip and the Over has hit in the first two games against the Hawks and Wizards.

The Over is 3-1-1 in their last five games, and four of those five games had 230 points or more scored in them.

The Over has hit in two of the Pistons last three games. Coming off a loss to the Pacers, they will look to jump out to a fast start. The Over has also hit in two of the last three meetings between these two teams.

In their latest meeting back in December, these teams combined for 258 points in Phoenix.

In that game, Cade Cunningham had 28 points and 13 assists, while Kevin Durant had 43 points.

Cunningham, Durant, and Devin Booker (who missed the first meeting) all have scoring props of at least 26.5 points. If we get another high-scoring affair again, these three stars will likely play a significant role in cashing this Over.

Pick: Over 226.5 (-110)



76ers vs. Pacers

Philadelphia 76ers Logo
Saturday, Jan. 18
7 p.m. ET
NBA League Pass
Indiana Pacers Logo
Tyrese Haliburton Over 25.5 Points + Assists (-120)
DraftKings  Logo

By Joe Dellera

The Pacers face off against the 76ers on Saturday, and one player that has thrived in this matchup is Tyrese Haliburton.

Haliburton is averaging 26.4 points and 10.4 assists over his last 10 games against the 76ers. Besides that history, he has ramped it up a bit of late.

On the season, he is averaging 26.9 Points + Assists (PA), but since the start of the New Year, he’s up to 30 PA with 20.4 points per game and 9.6 assists per game. This is the Haliburton who kept cashing PA lines before his injury last season.

The 76ers have been weak defensively against lead guards. Brunson (42), SGA (41), Cole Anthony (31), Steph (40), Fox (39) all have had great games since the start of January. Haliburton will be the next one.

Pick: Tyrese Haliburton Over 25.5 Points + Assists (-120)



Cavaliers vs. Timberwolves

Cleveland Cavaliers Logo
Saturday, Jan. 18
9 p.m. ET
NBA League Pass
Minnesota Timberwolves Logo
Cavaliers -6.5 (-115)
bet365 Logo

By Bryan Fonseca

This is a great bounce back spot for the Cavaliers.

The Cavs got their butts kicked by the Thunder in a high-profile matchup on Thursday, so be it.

Minnesota also beat the Knicks at Madison Square Garden last night without Karl-Anthony Towns. This, to me, is the correction.

The Cavs are 3-2 against the spread after a loss, and Minnesota is 2-3 ATS on no rest — not too much to go off of.

But given Cleveland's body of work, I like them here.

However, wait to play this, because my one caveat is that Evan Mobley is questionable. Let's see if he's active first. If he's not, I might pass. If he's in, I'm taking Cleveland up to -7.

Pick: Cavaliers -6.5 (-115)

Cavaliers vs. Timberwolves Prediction, Odds, Parlay Pick for Saturday, January 18 Image


Hawks vs. Celtics

Atlanta Hawks Logo
Saturday, Jan. 18
7 p.m. ET
NBA League Pass
Boston Celtics Logo
Under 235.5 (-110)
Caesars Sportsbook Logo

By Ray Monohan

The Celtics and Hawks will meet in Boston this evening, and this is a good Under spot.

Boston will be playing the 2nd leg of a back to back after they lit up the Magic last night.

As a result, the Celtics will be battling some fatigue, which will add value to this Under.

They should also naturally slow this game down, as Atlanta loves to try and run.

They'll have the Hawks off their rhythm and it'll lead to some sloppy offensive play.

This total is simply too high for this game, as we should see some slower possessions that'll chew up clock. Grab the Under.

Pick: Under 235.5 (-110)



Cavaliers vs. Timberwolves

Cleveland Cavaliers Logo
Saturday, Jan. 18
9 p.m. ET
NBA League Pass
Minnesota Timberwolves Logo
Cavaliers -6.5 (-115)
bet365 Logo

By Stephen Nover

Kudos to the motivated Timberwolves, who upset the Knicks at Madison Square Garden, 116-99, on Friday night. The Timberwolves' reward? They have to immediately fly back home to take on an angry Cavaliers squad that was humiliated by the Thunder on national TV this past Thursday.

The rested Cavaliers have been itching to redeem themselves after losing, 134-114, to the Thunder in a game that wasn't even as close as the 20-point margin indicates.

Cleveland pulled its starters out early of the blowout in anticipation of this matchup. No Cavalier starter logged more than 25 minutes in that loss, with three playing fewer than 21 minutes.

You have to go back to November to find the last time the Cavaliers lost consecutive games.

Minnesota's victory against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden was emotional because of Julius Randle's return to New York. Randle was one of four Minnesota starters to log at least 34 minutes.

Not only are the Timberwolves playing without rest, but this marks their third game in four days, having lost at home to the Warriors by one point this past Wednesday.

Pick: Cavaliers -6.5 (-115)



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Action Network is a team of seasoned sports betting experts specializing in a broad range of sports, from the NFL and NBA to less mainstream options like cricket and darts. Their staff includes well-known analysts like Sean Koerner and Stuckey, recognized for their accurate predictions and deep sports knowledge. The team is dedicated to delivering expert analysis and daily best bets, ensuring bettors are well-informed across all major sports.

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