The NBA regular season resumes with a fully loaded slate this Wednesday, with a total of 9 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 7 NBA picks for today's matchups. Continue below for our NBA best bets and predictions for Wednesday, January 22.
NBA Best Bets, Predictions, Picks, Odds: Wednesday, January 22
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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. |
Pistons vs. Hawks
Cade Cunningham recorded a 22-11-13 triple-double against the Hawks earlier this year in November.
He's gone over 41.5 PRA — my preferred limit — in six of his last nine.
If the number gets to 42.5 or is too juiced at the preferred number, just sprinkle the triple-double.
He has tallied seven triple-doubles this year, and you could get it at +1400 as of this writing.
Pick: Cade Cunningham Over 42.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists (-110)
Jazz vs. Thunder
By Joe Dellera
The Thunder are massive favorites against the Jazz today, so I want to target Shai Gilgeous-Alexander early and often.
Shai generally plays the entire first quarter as a part of his typical rotation, and he sets the table for the entire offense.
When he plays the entire 1Q, SGA has averaged 10.4 points over his last 20 games.
He’s been cooking of late, and despite only scoring 6 1Q points against Utah back in December, he still took 9 shots in the opening 12 minutes, which is more than his average.
This is an elite matchup and SGA may get even more Usage if J-Dub sits.
Pick: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Over 10.5 1Q Points (-115)
Bucks vs. Pelicans
The Pelicans are recently healthy and have been playing some good basketball.
Zion Williamson is expected to play tonight, and the pace-up Pelicans present a bit of a matchup problem for the Bucks.
New Orleans has pesky defenders and three-point shooters surrounding their scorers in Zion Williamson, Dejounte Murray, and CJ McCollum.
I also like the Over in this game, because of the extra possessions both teams generate with offensive rebounding.
Pick: Pelicans Moneyline (+200)
Timberwolves vs. Mavericks
By Zack Cimini
Both the Minnesota Timberwolves and Dallas Mavericks are dealing with injuries at the moment.
For the Timberwolves they have lost three out of four games as they adjust to being without Donte DiVincenzo.
Rookie Rob Dillingham has started to emerge off the bench, averaging 12 points over his last three games.
This matchup still has bad blood from the Wolves postseason loss, and we saw Minnesota get revenge on Christmas at Dallas 105-99.
Take the short road favorites.
Pick: Timberwolves -2.5 (-115)
Cavaliers vs. Rockets
By Bill Marzano
The Cavaliers travel to Houston to take on the Rockets in a fantastic matchup between two of the top teams in the league so far this season.
The Cavs own the best away record in the Eastern Conference with a 15-4 mark, and they are 13-1 against the Western Conference and 14-5 ATS as the away team.
Houston has the second best record in the West, but only 11-10-1 ATS at the Toyota Center.
The Rockets have actually dropped two of their last three games overall with losses to the red hot Kings 132-127 and most recently, a loss to the Pistons 107-96, with a win over Portland squeezed in-between.
This is the first meeting of the year between these two teams. The Rockets won the last meeting, but have dropped six of the last eight meetings overall against the Cavs.
The Cavs have won 15 of their last 17 overall, and despite missing Evan Mobley, this roster is deep with plenty of depth off the bench, and their size and ability to grab rebounds will challenge the Rockets in the paint and on the glass.
The Cavs are the second-highest scoring team in the NBA, averaging just over 122 points per game. However, the Rockets rank fourth in scoring defense, allowing just 107 per game.
The Cavs have been held to 107 points or less only three times this entire season. The Cavs are 29-13 ATS, only the Thunder have a better ATS record at 29-10-3.
Pick: Cavaliers Moneyline (-145)
Pistons vs. Hawks
It has been five years since the Pistons last beat the Hawks in Atlanta. I don't see the Pistons ending their seven-game road losing streak to the Hawks today.
The Hawks are going to be fired-up after having their three-game win streak snapped by the Knicks, 119-110, at New York two days ago.
The Pistons, on the other hand, are fat and happy following an upset road victory against the Rockets this past Monday.
Yes, Detroit is much improved from recent past seasons. However, the Pistons are still just an average offensive team and slightly below average club. They rank 26th in 3-point defense.
The Hawks are the sixth-highest scoring team in the NBA. They are averaging 127.6 points in their past three home games.
Pick: Hawks Moneyline (-140)
Bucks vs. Pelicans
By Nick Parsons
This is a great situational play. Milwaukee is 24-17 coming off four straight victories. The Bucks have seen the total go Over in six straight games, and despite their 123-109 win over Philly last time out, they've still seen the total go Under the number in eight of their last 12 after playing to five or more straight Overs in a row.
The Pelicans are only 12-32, but they've been playing a lot better of late, and finally getting healthy, as they enter tonight following wins in four straight games after a 123-119 overtime victory over Utah last time out.
Unfortunately, I had the Under in that one, and despite it going to OT, it still BARELY snuck over the sky-high number.
The Pelicans have seen the total go Over in three straight games, but that's also significant to note, as looking back at the trends, New Orleans has seen the total dip below the posted number in four of its last five after playing to three or more straight Overs in a row.
I'll take the Under in this spot.