Brooklyn Nets @ Washington Wizards (7 p.m.)

Favored Team and Spread: WAS -2

Total Points: 231.5

A game Kyrie is due to play in this weird experiment of a season, if you are not caught up on his saga, he is only allowed to play in road games due to the vaccination rules in New York City. Brooklyn's last time out, they lost in Cleveland to the Cavaliers where Kyrie spouted off at some hecklers mid game. It doesn't help Brooklyn is injured to the moon and back, they are missing a lot of their firepower in KD (knee) who is sitting indefinitely, Paul Millsap (personal), and a handful of others. On the other side, Washington is 100% good to go, no injuries to report on their side. For my pick, that's a high point total to hit I think so I'm taking Washington and the under here.

Orlando Magic @ Philadelphia 76ers (7 p.m.)

Favored Team and Spread: PHI -11.5

Total Points: 213

The Magic and is the only team left with a single digit win total to this point. They won't get the win tonight. Even with Philadelphia missing some of the big names like Danny Green (hip) and the ever notable headline known as Ben Simmons, the 76ers will walk away with a win. The 76ers and Simmons still stand at an impasse with the trade deadline rapidly approaching and speculation is increasing that the two parties will remain at that impasse once the trade deadline passes. This headline in Philadelphia hasn't really affected the on court product with the 76ers standing at 25-18 which is why I take the 76ers with the 11.5 points.

Charlotte Hornets @ Boston Celtics (7:30 p.m., ESPN)

Favored Team and Spread: BOS -4.5

Total Points: 218.5

It's ESPN Wednesday basketball time in Boston! This is an enticing matchup and everything about it is juicy. With both sides having the majority of their teams ready to go, I love this 4.5 point spread but that said, Charlotte is the healthier of the two teams in this matchup so I would at least look for them to cover. I honestly could go either way on total points here, I always like to sweat it out though, give me the over in this one and let's watch out for some fireworks.

Minnesota Timberwolves @ Atlanta Hawks (7:30 p.m.)

Favored Team and Spread: ATL -2

Total Points: 231.5

This will be closer than people give it credit for I think. Another fun NBA matchup that will ultimately come down to the final possession. I know Trae Young is super clutch and I think that this is no exception. I'm looking to see him hit the clinching bucket. Minnesota has been scrappy and they are the epitome of a team that just will not go away in the playoff race. That can definitely make Minnesota a fun team to throw an futures bet on as to where they place this season. Definitely take the under on points. 231.5 is a lot for teams like Atlanta who pride themselves on strong defense.

Portland Trail Blazers @ Miami Heat (7:30 p.m.)

Favored Team and Spread: MIA 8.5

Total Points: 215.5

This is a game that has a pretty sizable spread honestly. That 8.5 points is a lot and it's in the Heat's favor. Portland is hurt by being without all of their firepower offensively with Lillard being gone, Zeller and Nance Jr. join him in being gone. That's a good amount of your firepower with Dame being most of it. For the Heat, they are at home which can help. The 215.5 I actually like here, games I like to bet typically have two outcomes and there's not what we call a "push." A push is where the bettor and sthe book tie and you get your bet refunded at the amount you threw down. I like to avoid those outcomes at any cost so that way I can know one of two things will happen. Taking Miami with the 8.5 and the over on the 215.5.

Cleveland Cavaliers @ Chicago Bulls (8 p.m.)

Favored Teams and Spread: CLE -1.5

Total Points: 218.5

A doozy of a matchup will kick off the 8 p.m. slot of games as the Cavaliers fresh a win against Kyrie Irving and the Brooklyn Nets on MLK Day travel to the House that MJ Built to take on the Chicago Bulls. This is another game I like spreadwise and bettingwise. There's only two available outcomes here. No pushes which makes this such an attractive game.

Check out our full betting preview for the game here!

Memphis Grizzlies @ Milwaukee Bucks (8 p.m.)

Favored Team and Spread: MIL -6.5

Total Points: 226

Let the theme of fun continue! Memphis has been one of the hottest teams in basketball to this point in time, they will take on Giannis and the Bucks in Milwaukee. A bit of a COVID outbreak on the Memphis Grizzlies has four people listed as out and another listed as probable. That will be the big test for Memphis against a relatively healthy Milwaukee Bucks team led by Giannis. So that all known, I'm taking Memphis to cover, Milwaukee on the moneyline and the under as well, the safest bet in this situation to make. I would NOT however, be shocked if Memphis can find a way to win.

Toronto Raptors @ Dallas Mavericks (8:30 p.m.)

Favored Team and Spread: DAL -4.5

Total Points: 206.5

Toronto will travel south of the boarder to take on the Dallas Mavericks in Dallas in a game where I think the point total goes sky high over. Looking at season point averages, this is slated to be a game where both teams combine for about 213-215 total points. I still think you're going to get closer to 225 total points with these two teams being mostly healthy. Goran Dragic has been out for some time in a similar situation to what Ben Simmons is in. He's holding out for a trade or something to open up on the post deadline waiver wire. So that really hurts Toronto at the Point Guard spot especially with Lowry being dealt in the trade that sent Dragic to Toronto.

Oklahoma City Thunder @ San Antonio Spurs (8:30 p.m.)

Favored Team and Spread: SAS -6.5

Total Points: 219.5

A few of the Western Conference's downtrodden face off in San Antonio which if you wanted a game to practice your prop betting skills, here's a good measuring stick. I'll stick to the standard stuff here bettingwise because I'm more outcome focused and the fact that there's only two outcomes here is another big reason why. I'm not excited about the total points for starters so I'm taking the under but what I will do here is take OKC +6.5. What that means is I'll take OKC to lose by less than 7 (since there are no such things as half points in the NBA) or win the game as winning would give them the covered spread.

Houston Rockets @ Utah Jazz (9 p.m.)

Favored Team and Spread: UTAH -12

Total Points: 232

This is a game where I don't touch the spread at all and play the moneyline. That money will on Utah. Again, this is a situation where another star player isn't happy, that star being former Kentucky Wildcat standout John Wall. More and more questions around what might happen as the dealine appraches are being risen in Houston as the team is in contention for the number one overall pick. Currently Detroit has the highest NBA Draft Lottery odds having the worst record. So getting something even if it's a stop gap point guard would be a welcome thing for Houston.

Los Angeles Clippers @ Denver Nuggets (10 p.m., ESPN)

Favored Team and Spread: DEN -7.5

Total Points: 212.5

The Clippers travel to altitude to take on the Denver Nuggets who are the favorite in the game tonight. The big news is Paul George is to rest his elbow "indefinitely" according to reports. So you won't see him for a little while. You also won't see Kawhi Leonard either, he's out with a knee injury. Nicholas Batum will also miss as he's in COVID Protocols. Denver is also beat as they are missing a myriad of players on their end. I look for this to be closer than the spread says it will be. So I'm picking LAC +7.5 here.

Detroit Pistons @ Sacramento Kings (10 p.m.)

Favored Team and Spread: SAC -5.5

Total Points: 222

The Pisons have had it rough this season especially with Cade Cunningham being anything but the word consistent. The Kings have not faired too much better, the Kings are -5.5 point favorites but I do not want to touch this game with the lack of consistency I've seen out of both sides. That's honestly how I see this game going. It will be sloppy and low scoring but expect Sacramento to pull it out.

Indiana Pacers @ Los Angeles Lakers (10:30 p.m.)

Favored Team and Spread: LAL -4.5

Total Points: 223

One would simply think with the Lakers roster that they would walk on Indiana's grave by quarter three. That's not the case. When all of your offensive (and plenty of defensive) firepower is on the injury list. THAT'S NOT GOOD. Yet, here we are, talking about a Lakers team who is injured past the moon and deep into the Solar System and back. The same is said for Indiana, another team just riddled with injuries and just bad luck throughout the year. The story to watch here is "Can the Lakers pull themselves together?" That is yet to be seen.

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NBA Daily Betting Guide: NBA Best Bets for January 19, 2022