Don’t fret because it’s Monday! Tonight’s NBA slate features a comprehensive 6-game table filled with plenty of action. Headlining the schedule is an Atlantic Division rivalry bout between the Philadelphia 76ers and Toronto Raptors in the Great White North. We’ll also see the Celtics travel to the Pacers in a re-hash of last year’s Eastern Conference Finals in Indianapolis. You can find our NBA picks for all of tonight’s matchups, along with EVERY GAME this season. But for now, here are our expert NBA best bets for each of today’s 6 games on Monday, January 12.
Jazz vs Cavaliers best bet: Under 251.5 (-110)
Odds available at FanDuel Sportsbook at time of publishing.
We know that both of these times have offensive firepower, but this total implies near perfection. 251 is an extremely high bar to clear, and with that being said, both teams’ combined scoring averages and opponents’ averages sit below this mark. Unless both teams shoot lights-out for 4 quarters, the present number leaves little margin for normal cold stretches. Both teams can explode, but everything has to go right for that to happen and for us to get over the line. Thus, this spot favors the under.
Read our full Jazz vs Cavaliers prediction
76ers vs Raptors best bet: 76ers -3 (-110)
Odds available at Caesars Sportsbook at time of publishing.
Yesterday, the Raps defeated the Sixers in overtime in the ScotiaBank Arena as a one-point underdog. Despite this, the Raptors opened today as a 3.5-point pooch before the market stepped in and continues to hammer Toronto. This is significant. If you will recall with our analysis of the Timberwolves and Cavaliers, who played a rematch 2 days after Minnesota beat Cleveland by 9, it is hard to beat the same team 2 games in a row. Cleveland handled Minnesota on Saturday in the rematch, so why should we assume any different here? The fact Philly is a bigger favorite all but tells us which side to trust. Lay the three-pointer.
Celtics vs Pacers best bet: Pacers +5.5 (-105)
Odds available at FanDuel Sportsbook at time of publishing.
The Celtics have already eviscerated the Pacers twice this season, and naturally the market’s inclination is to ride Boston here in Indianapolis. The C’s look like a playoff team while the Pacers sit at the bottom of the league standings with the worst record. This makes this tilt a sandwich spot in every sense of the word. The Celtics hosted the Spurs on Saturday and narrowly fell to San Antonio by 5 points. Ahead, Boston starts a road trip with a marketable meeting with Miami on Thursday. It is very easy for Boston to come in flat off the bitter loss to the Spurs as they led in the 4th . They can also easily be looking ahead to Miami since they have owned the Pacers.
However, this Indiana team has quietly won 2 games in a row. What will be a dress rehearsal for the Celtics will be treated as a playoff-kind of game for the Pacers. Indiana is live here, we’ll take the points in a game that can easily become an outright upset.
Read our full Celtics vs Pacers prediction
Nets vs Mavericks best bet: Nets ML (+140)
Odds available at BetMGM at time of publishing.
I expect points to be at a premium here with a total sitting at 222 at the time of writing. That means this should be a low-scoring game overall, which plays right into Brooklyn’s hands. The Nets have the better defense and in a defensive-oriented game, naturally they would be the team to back as that translates better here. Add in that this is a low spread overall with the Mavs laying 3.5 points, this game is essentially a toss-up. In such a scenario, getting the better defensive team at plus money in a 50/50 spot is the definition of value. Nets for the win.
Read our full Nets vs Mavericks prediction
Lakers vs Kings best bet: Lakers -9.5 (-110)
Odds available at BetMGM at time of publishing.
The Lakers have the better roster from top to bottom and they play more balanced basketball. The Kings are missing a few key pieces, but even if they had them, Sacramento leaks points and they find themselves behind the eight-ball offensively more often than not. This is a game that the Lakers can easily win by double digits, so to get them at less than that makes them the play here. With a spread under 10, you’re betting LA to do what good teams do against bottom teams: build a lead, then manage it. There is no reason to suspect the Lakers can’t win this one going away.
Read our full Lakers vs Kings prediction
Hornets vs Clippers best bet: Under 223.5 (-110)
Odds available at Caesars Sportsbook at time of publishing.
Rather than trying to handicap 2 volatile sides, the better angle is the total. A number in the low-220s implies moderate pace and average efficiency, but this matchup has a strong case for less scoring than that. Charlotte’s offense remains inconsistent. Charlotte’s road profile tends to amplify that problem.
The Clippers are also not a “run-and-gun” team by default, either but they are in Inglewood, where they play at a higher level. That’s why they are favored. The cleanest path for the Clippers to hold its end of the bargain is controlling the game by limiting turnovers, and leaning into defense to avoid giving the Hornets any kind of life. That approach naturally bleeds clock and shortens the game, which makes the under most conducive here.
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