The NBA regular season resumes with another loaded slate this Sunday, with a total of 9 matchups on the schedule. So, our staff of basketball experts dug into the latest odds and identified all the best betting value on the board to close the weekend.
Our betting experts have looked over the odds and made 6 NBA picks for today's matchups. Continue below for our NBA best bets and predictions for Sunday, January 12.
NBA Best Bets Today, Predictions, Picks, Odds: Sunday, January 12
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 3 p.m. | |
| 3 p.m. | |
  | 8 p.m. | |
  | 6 p.m. | |
  | 6 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. | ||
Nuggets vs. Mavericks
By Joe Dellera
The Nuggets take on the Mavericks on Sunday as the first end of a two game set against them.
One player I’m targeting in Nikola Jokic. Jokic has been transcendent once again this season and is averaging 31.6 points, 13 rebounds, and 9.9 assists per game.
While Aaron Gordon may return today which has negatively impacted his rebounds, this matchup is still extremely strong.
In two games this season, Jokic secured 18 and 17 rebounds against the Mavericks (both without Gordon).
Considering the injury (calf), Gordon likely will be limited in minutes today, but could also have a bit less bounce.
I’ll grab over 12.5 rebounds.
Pick: Nikola Jokic Over 12.5 Rebounds (-108)
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Nuggets vs. Mavericks
The Denver Nuggets allow the most assists per game in the NBA at 29.4.
Spencer Dinwiddie has gone over this in two straight games, and in three of his last six, and has a favorable matchup here to keep it going as the Mavericks continue trudging along short-handed without Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic.
Dinwiddie has also gotten 30 or more minutes in five of his last seven contests, so he's seeing an uptick in usage and opportunity.
In eight starts this year, he has gone over 21.5 points + assists (PA) in four of eight, but two of those misses rang in at a total of 21. I like this at 21.5 — I'd probably pass beyond that.
Pick: Spencer Dinwiddie Over 21.5 Points + Assists (-125)
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Nets vs. Jazz
While the Nets (13-25) and Jazz (9-28) won’t command many headlines ahead of Sunday night’s contest, there’s a potential for a profitable player prop that bettors would be wise to pay attention to.
Jazz point guard Collin Sexton has a rebounds+assists prop set at 8.5 despite falling well below those projections throughout the season (2.8 rebounds and 3.9 assists).
We’re likely seeing a spike in his production after an eight-game stretch from Dec. 29 to Jan. 4, during which he averaged 10.25 rebounds and assists. However, Sexton has failed to eclipse 8.5 rebounds + assists in four straight games and in
30 of 37 (81%) games this season.
The Alabama product probably profiles more as a two-guard, given his ability to shoot from long range, as evidenced by his 3-point field goal percentage at 42.1%.
Interestingly, Utah has two players, Keyonte George (5.7) and Isaiah Collier (4.1), who average more assists than Sexton. And with Sexton’s somewhat slighter frame at 6-foot-3, his best chance to exceed this prop is by racking up the assists.
Thus, if we play the percentages, we’re getting tremendous value on the Under, with this prop seemingly inflated at 8.5. Even with Sexton’s odds juiced to -135 at DraftKings, the Under is still well worth a look.
Pick: Collin Sexton Under 8.5 Rebounds + Assists (-135)
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Thunder vs. Wizards
By Bill Marzano
The Thunder are rolling along with the best record in the West and play the 6-30 Wizards today, who own the worst overall record in the NBA.
I don't think this game is going to be that competitive, and although I do believe the Thunder most likely cover this monster number, we are going to look at their team total as the play.
The Thunder have the best overall scoring defense in the NBA and their defense leads to a lot of easy fast break points and creates offense.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is having an MVP-caliber season and this team is stacked, even with Holmgren waiting to play.
The Thunder won 123-105 in the first meeting of the season between these teams, and look for them to have another big day at both ends of the floor.
The Wizards rank dead last in scoring defense allowing just under 123 points per contest. Malcolm Brogdon will miss his fourth straight game today.
The Wizards dropped their fifth straight game on Friday in a 138-105 road loss to the Bulls, who shot 55.8 percent from the field and 46.9 percent from 3-point range. I expect OKC to roll this evening.
Pick: Thunder Team Total Over 123.5 (-115)
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76ers vs. Magic
Well, any question about Paolo Banchero being ready from his two month-plus layoff were answered on Friday when he scored 34 for the Magic in his comeback game. It took 41 points from Giannis the other way for the Bucks to squeeze out the 109-106 win.
Philly, however, enters Orlando looking vulnerable, perhaps minus Joel Embiid (who has missed the past week) once again, and coming off a humbling loss to a Pelicans side minus suspended Zion Williamson (who just returned to active status last week). A struggle vs. the lowly Wizards preceded the loss on Friday.
It's also worth noting that minus Banchero, the Magic beat the Sixers in the previous meeting between these teams at the Kia Center on November 15 before splitting back-to-backs in Philly in early December.
Take the Magic moneyline.
Pick: Magic Moneyline (-125)
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Hornets vs. Suns
What a disjointed road trip for the Hornets, who had their stay in Los Angeles interrupted by two postponed games against the Lakers and Clippers, and now essentially get a back-to-back vs. the Suns, who they beat in their last game on Tuesday.
Prior to that success, which was fueled by 32 points from LaMelo Ball, Charlotte had lost 10 straight games, and 18 of their last 19. However, catching the Suns in the second half of a back-to-back situation might have helped as well.
That same back-to-back confronts Phoenix on Sunday, but now the Suns are at home and off back-to-back wins over the Hawks and Jazz, and Devin Booker has tapped another rich vein of form, scoring 34 in Saturday's win over Utah.
Lay the points with Phoenix tonight.
Pick: Suns -7 (-110)
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