The NBA regular season resumes with a fully loaded slate this Saturday, with a total of 14 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 25.
NBA Best Bets, Predictions, Picks, Odds: Saturday, January 25
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 3 p.m. | |
  | 6 p.m. | |
  | 5:30 p.m. | |
  | 7:30 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. | ||
Nuggets vs. Timberwolves
By Joe Dellera
The Nuggets face off against the Timberwolves today, and I’m targeting Nikola Jokic.
The Wolves had a way to defend Jokic as best as possible last season when they could throw multiple 7-footers at him with Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert in the fold.
They don’t have that now though, so they need to use Gobert on him straight-up, which is less than ideal.
In their one matchup this season, Jokic racked up 13 dimes on 21 potentials, which was the most he’s had against Gobert since 2022 when he was with Utah (pre-KAT).
Jokic is a maestro with finding cutters and the open man. He’s averaging 11.5 dimes over his last 10 games, and his misses at 10+ both rang in at 9.
I’ll back Jokic here against a Minnesota team that should struggle to defend his passing prowess.
Pick: Nikola Jokic 10+ Assists (-120)
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Heat vs. Nets
After some dominant performances (and Jimmy Butler's absence), Kel'el Ware found himself in the starting lineup for the Heat alongside Bam Adebayo.
While the Heat have lost both games in which Ware started, he has been sensational, averaging 21 points on 53.1% shooting from the field.
The usage is really promising as well, as he has taken 16 field goal attempts per game as a starter.
Ware has handily covered this line in both games as a starter and in the previous game.
As long as he is seeing minutes in the mid-to-upper-30s, he will have plenty of opportunity to get to 18 points against an undersized Nets defense that has the fifth-worst defensive rating in the NBA.
Pick: Kel'el Ware Over 17.5 Points (-105)
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Celtics vs. Mavericks
By Joe Dellera
Kristaps Porzingis has been cooking to start games lately, and today he gets a matchup against Daniel Gafford and the Mavericks.
This should be a strong spot for him given Gafford’s defensive limitations and the lack of Dereck Lively.
The books have not completely adjusted for just how much Usage Porzingis eats up early in the game.
He’s now scored 8+ in the first quarter in seven straight games, and while he has generally been fairly efficient, that’s the name of his game.
On the season he is averaging 6.5 1Q points and has exceeded this mark in 65% of games.
Considering he scores 35% of his points in the 1Q on average, this is a great spot to back him in a game I’m expecting him to score about 20.
Pick: Kristaps Porzingis Over 5.5 First Quarter Points (+110)
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Rockets vs. Cavaliers
By Ray Monohan
Cleveland is in a great bounce back spot against Houston on Saturday.
The Cavaliers have dropped back to back games, which included the loss at Houston this week where Garland missed two crucial free throws late, and then they fell in Philly on Friday, as they may have had one eye on this revenge spot.
Cleveland has been absolutely dominant at home, as they've dropped only two games at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse so far this season. They're a force in this building, and this offense is going to get out early.
Look for the Cavs to push the tempo on Houston, as the they are at their best when they can run and gun. The Cavs will come out fired up for this one, they have far more motivation in this spot. Lay the points with Cleveland.
Pick: Cavaliers -3.5 (-110)
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Jazz vs. Grizzlies
By Nick Parsons
The Jazz are only 10-32 on the season, but they'll be hungry to snap a four-game slide today. Utah has now seen the total go Over in five straight games following their latest 123-114 loss at Oklahoma City.
But that's significant to note, as Utah has in fact seen the total go Over the number in seven of its last 10 after playing to five or more straight Over in a row.
Meanwhile, the Grizzlies are 30-15, and coming off five straight wins, most recently a 139-126 victory over New Orleans just last night. Fatigue will certainly be an issue for Memphis on the second game of the back-to-back scenario.
Also, note that the Grizzlies have seen the total go Under in four of their last five after playing to three or more straight Overs in a row.
This number is too high, I'll take the Under.
Pick: Under 246.5 (-115)
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