San Antonio Spurs @ Philadelphia 76ers (7:00 p.m.)

The 15-22 San Antonio Spurs march into Philadelphia for a matchup against the 76ers who are at 21-16. The inactives for the Spurs are aplenty, eight players are currently listed as out with Thaddeus Young and Devin Vassell ruled out last night (health and safety protocol). Lonnie Walker IV and Devontae Cacok (conditioning) are also sitting out tonight.

On the other side for Philadelphia who's main story this year has been the Ben Simmons drama and if they will find a trade partner for their disgruntled star. He's been out since the tenth of December. The Sixers also have two players of their own in league health and safety protocols missing tonight's game in Tyrese Maxey and Jaden Springer. All things considered, Philadelphia is a 7 point favorite to win the game tonight.

Milwaukee Bucks @ Brooklyn Nets (7:30 p.m., ESPN)

The 25-15 Milwaukee Bucks travel to Brooklyn, New York to play the Kyrie-less Brooklyn Nets. Kyrie will not play (health and safety rules within the New York State). The only other inactive for Brooklyn is Joe Harris who is still recovering from ankle surgery.

On Milwaukee's side, Giannis is probable (non related COVID illness). Milwaukee has four players in the NBA health and safety protocol (Pat Connaughton, Grayson Allen, George Hill, Jrue Holiday). Other inactives include Donte DiVincenzo (ankle) and Brook Lopez (back surgery). All the inactives for Milwaukee and considering that the game is in Brooklyn, the Nets are 4.5 point favorites to win.

Utah Jazz @ Toronto Raptors (7:30 p.m.)

The Jazz are another team that is snakebitten with injuries, the Jazz have six people listed as out and three others are day to day. Two of the six listed as out (Rudy Gobert and Joe Ingles) are in health and safety protocol. Donavan Mitchell (back) is the big injury for Utah.

For Toronto, they are without two key players from their back court in Yuta Wantanabe (health and safety protocol) and Goran Dragic (personal). Goran Dragic is without a timeline to return. The Raptors have been without Goran Dragic since late December. Toronto is favored to win, the spread is 11.5.

Washington Wizards @ Chicago Bulls (8 p.m.)

Washington will visit the house that MJ built to start off the 8 p.m. slate of games. Washington will be without six players while another is listed day-to-day. The biggest prescence on the floor missing will be Rui Hachimura (conditioning) as he was previously listed out due to COVID-19 and now looks to be back closer to the start of next week.

Chicago will be without Alex Caruso (foot) but that hasn't slowed the roll of Chicago as they have won eight out of their last ten games. Chicago is the favorite to win with a spread of -6.

Dallas Mavericks @ Houston Rockets (8 p.m.)

For Dallas, Luka is day-to-day (ankle) and four players are listed out. Willie Cauley-Stein (personal) will miss Friday's game. Boban Marjanovic, Isaiah Thomas, and Kristaps Porzingas are all in the league's health and safety protocol and will also miss tonight.

For Houston, the big piece missing for a team that's had a really rough start to the season is John Wall. Coach Stephen Silas says he is working back into game shape and discussions are going to continue to get him back on the court. DeJon Jarreau and Usman Garuba (health and safety protocol) will miss Friday's game. Dallas is the favorite at -2.5

Minnesota Timberwolves @ Oklahoma City Thunder (8 p.m.)

This is another matchup of teams that have stumbled out of the gate, the Thunder moreso than Minnesota. OKC stands at 13-24 and Minnesota at 18-20. Minnesota has only two inactives in Leandro Bolmaro and McKinley Wright IV (COVID-19 Protocol).

On Oklahoma City's side Derrick Favors will miss the game and Isaiah Roby is also out as part of the league's health and safety protocols. The spread in this game is Minnesota -6.

Sacramento Kings @ Denver Nuggets (9 p.m.)

The Kings of Sacramento travel east to visit Denver. Denver stands at an even 18-18 while Sacramento stands at 16-24. The Kings will be without Chimetzie Metu (health and safety protocols) and Richaun Holmes (health and safety protocols) as well as Terence Davis (ankle).

Nuggets will be without a myriad of their players, nine in total. The biggest prescence missing is Jamal Murray who is recovering from a torn ACL. Bone Hyland and Aaron Gordon (non COVID related illness) are also probable for tonight's game. Spread favors Denver here at Denver -8.

Atlanta Hawks @ Los Angeles Lakers (10 p.m., ESPN)

If you want to talk about a team that been incredibly underwhelming look no further than this matchup. This is a matchup on paper that shouldn't be this close at Lakers -3. The Lakers are 20-19 and the Hawks are 17-20. How did the Lakers get here has been the big question on everyone's mind. Anthony Davis and Lebron missing is certainly what you DON'T hope for as a Lakers fan, Davis is listed as out (sprained MCL) and Lebron is probable (abdomen). Kendrick Nunn joins AD on the bench.

Atlanta goes into this game with seven players listed out and two more are day-to-day. Trae Young is questionable (back) and Cam Reddish (ankle) joins Trae Young as questionable. The Hawks have two out of those seven players listed as out in league healthy safety protocol and another three working back into game shape. With all of that, Lakers are only -3.

Cleveland Cavaliers @ Portland Trail Blazers (10 p.m.)

The Cavaliers start their West Coast trip in Portland against a battered Portland Trail Blazers. Larry Nance Jr (knee), Damian Lillard (abdomen), Cody Zeller (COVID-19), and CJ McCollum (chest) will all miss tonight for Portland. The Cavs will be without Ricky Rubio (torn ACL) and Collin Sexton (torn meniscus) for the rest of this season. Cedi Osman and Rajon Rondo (conditioning) are expected to play tonight for Cleveland.

For our full Cavs at Blazers preview, click here!

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January 7, 2022 NBA Betting Guide: NBA Best Bets 1/7/2022