The NBA regular season resumes play with another loaded slate this Saturday, with a total of 9 matchups on the docket scheduled for today. So, our staff of basketball experts dug into the latest odds and identified all the best betting value on the board for tonight's contests.
Our betting experts have looked over the odds and made 4 NBA picks for today's matchups. Continue below for our NBA best bets and predictions for Saturday, January 4.
NBA Best Bets Today, Predictions, Picks, Odds: Saturday, January 4
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 8 p.m. | |
  | 7 p.m. | |
  | 8 p.m. | |
  | 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. | ||
Jazz vs. Heat
By Joe Dellera
The Miami Heat take on the Utah Jazz in their first game after suspending Jimmy Butler for “conduct detrimental to the team.” One player that should continue to thrive is Tyler Herro.
Herro is making a legitimate push for Most Improved Player and an All-Star nod, and when Jimmy is off the floor he naturally sees an uptick.
Without Butler, Herro is averaging 24.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 5.9 assists. And this matchup against Utah is exploitable.
The Jazz have the league’s worst defense while playing at an above average Pace. Herro has torched Utah in the past as well. Over the last few seasons, he is averaging 25.6 points and 6.2 rebounds per game while exceeding 28.5 Points + Rebounds in 4/5 games.
Herro has cashed on this line in 60% of games without Jimmy this season, and I like him to do so as he tries to be the clear leader of the Heat’s offense moving forward.
Pick: Tyler Herro Over 28.5 Points + Rebounds (-115)
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Suns vs. Pacers
Things are going quite badly for the Suns at the moment, and not sure this is the spot where a turnaround begins either.
Phoenix has never been completely healthy this season and now it's Bradley Beal who might miss tonight with a hip injury, but that's only part of the puzzle in the desert, where Mike Budenholzer can't seem to find the right answers for a team that's now lost six of their last seven games.
The Jimmy Butler trade rumors and related distractions have also circled around the Suns as they contemplate a Hail Mary offer that would likely have to include Bradley Beal going outbound.
Wins in seven of their last 10 and very recent successes against the Celtics and Heat suggest Rick Carlisle has turned the Pacers in the right direction. Lay the short number with Indy.
Pick: Pacers -1.5 (-115)
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Knicks vs. Bulls
If it weren’t for Nikola Jokic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Karl-Anthony Towns would be a serious candidate for MVP this season. Well, even with them playing, he could still get some consideration.
After all, when was the last time we saw a 7-footer average roughly 25 points and 14 rebounds on ridiculous 55/44/84 shooting splits?
Yes, that’s 44% shooting from behind the arc. Perhaps he wasn’t exaggerating when he said that he’s the greatest big man shooter of all-time.
KAT hasn’t played the Bulls much in his career, as he has only taken the floor 14 times against them. However, his past two outings have been incredible, particularly from the 3-point line.
As a matter of fact, Towns has shot an average of 14 3-pointers in his past two outings against Chicago; he hit six in one game and seven in the other.
His 3-point prop line right now is at 1.5 (-150) on bet365. He has eclipsed that line in six of his past seven against the Bulls and in three of his past four overall.
The Bulls play at the third-fastest pace in the league, leaving a lot of opportunities for Towns to shoot trailing 3s in transition off of missed shots.
Pick: Karl-Anthony Towns Over 1.5 Three-Pointers (-150)
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Nuggets vs. Spurs
This is the second night in a row these two teams play one another.
However, unlike most back to backs against the same opponent this season, these teams are traveling from Denver to San Antonio.
When we see the repeat matchup, we can expect less scoring.
Players become familiar with the opponent tendencies and scouting report and are more apt on the defensive end.
The total is still roughly the same as last game at 237 (I already bet it at 238.5), despite the total finishing 15+ points Under the number in Game 1.
I expect another Under here, and possibly players resting that would also drop the total. I would play this down to 237.5.
Pick: Under 238.5 (-120)
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