The NBA regular season rolls on with another excellent slate this Thursday, with a total of 6 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 Thursday, January 2.
NBA Best Bets Today, Predictions, Picks, Odds: Thursday, January 2
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 7:30 p.m. | |
  | 8 p.m. | |
  | 10:30 p.m. | |
| 10:30 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. | ||
Pacers vs. Heat
Running this back with this prop for a couple of reasons.
I had Nembhard to score over 13.5 points in the Pacers' previous game, and he finished with only 10.
This marked the first time he didn't get over 10.5 points after six straight times doing so.
Nembhard shot a rare 4-for-14 from the field, after being scorching hot in terms of efficiency. And contextually, I believe 10.5 is too low since it feels largely based on his last performance.
Give me Nembhard over 10.5 points in a bounce back spot against the Heat tonight.
Pick: Andrew Nembhard Over 10.5 Points (-130)
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Clippers vs. Thunder
By Bill Marzano
The 19-14 Clippers are in a really tough road spot vs. the 27-5 Thunder tonight, who own the best overall record in the NBA and are currently riding a 12-game winning streak.
The Thunder are loaded, and their 12-game winning streak is tied for the longest since the franchise moved from Seattle.
SGA is leading the way for OKC, averaging 33.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 2.5 steals and 1.3 blocks, while shooting 56.6 percent from the floor during the streak.
The Clippers are just 8-8 on the road, while the Thunder are 13-2 at home.
The Clippers were just crushed by 36 points in a loss to the Spurs on the second night of back to back road games, and this will be their third road game in just four nights.
The Thunder have won both meetings this year 105-92 and 134-128, and during their 12-game winning streak, the Thunder have posted a 10-1-1 ATS record.
The Thunder own the best overall scoring defense in NBA allowing just 103 points per game. I expect OKC to roll tonight.
Pick: Thunder -9.5 (-110)
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Trail Blazers vs. Lakers
By Joe Dellera
Austin Reaves is absolutely blowing past this line in the wake of the D’Angelo Russell trade. He’s seen his Usage take a significant uptick since the move, as he’s leaned on for more self-creation along with facilitating the offense for the rest of the team.
This line is set at 9.5 rebounds + assists (RA), and he has recorded 20, 22, and 19 RA over his last three games, including a double double in all three games and one triple double.
When DLo has been off the floor in the last two seasons, Reaves sees an uptick of about 2 assists per 100 possessions, and a Usage bump of 4.5%, per PBPStats.
This matches the eye test and sets up a great opportunity for Reaves here. We’ll grab the base line, and play those alternate combos as well.
Pick: Austin Reaves Over 10.5 Rebounds + Assists (-130)
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Trail Blazers vs. Lakers
By Alex Hinton
Anthony Davis is questionable for tonight's game with a left ankle sprain he suffered on Christmas Day. Keep an eye on the Lakers' injury report for his status, but with that disclaimer out of the way, allow me to explain why I love this spot for Davis tonight.
Since returning to the Lakers' lineup, Davis went for 36 points and 15 rebounds against the Kings, and then 28 points and 13 rebounds against the Cavaliers.
He has gone over this line in six of his last 10 games, with 40 points and rebounds combined in all six overs. That includes going for 30 points and 11 rebounds against the Blazers a few weeks ago.
Tonight's game also gives Davis another chance to match up with DeAndre Ayton, and it is a matchup that he has dominated throughout his career.
In 12 career regular season games against each other, Davis is averaging 24.7 points and 12.9 rebounds while Ayton is averaging 13.3 points and 10.8 rebounds. The Lakers have won eight of those 12 games and are nine-point favorites tonight.
Davis also cleared his cleared this line in four of his last six against the Trail Blazers, with a few of those games pre-dating Ayton's arrival in Rip City.
Portland is 23rd in points allowed and 22nd in rebounds allowed per game this season.
Should Davis play tonight, I expect a dominant performance in this matchup.
Pick: Anthony Davis Over 37.5 Points + Rebounds (-115)
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