Tonight’s Best NBA Picks – Wed, 14th January

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TORONTO RAPTORS @ INDIANA PACERS

Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN
Odds: TOR $1.70 / IND $2.20

TEAM TRENDS

• The Pacers have lost 20 of their last 22 games against teams that held a winning record

WIN/LOSS

SEASON POINTS +/-

PICKS ATS

Toronto heads to Indianapolis with a big edge in both form and conference results. The Raptors are 21–12 against the Eastern Conference, while Indiana sits at just 7–19 and continues to struggle in games that get out of hand, going 4–18 in contests decided by double digits.

This is the third meeting between the teams this season. Toronto took the most recent matchup 97–95 on November 27, and overall they’ve been far more consistent, especially in the paint where they rank fifth in the East with 53.0 points per game. Scottie Barnes continues to anchor that inside presence.

Indiana has been competitive offensively at times, averaging nearly 116 points over its last 10 games, but defense remains a major issue, giving up more than 120 points per game in that stretch. Toronto has been steadier on both ends, going 6–4 over its last 10 while holding opponents to 114.5 points per game.

Three-point shooting is fairly even, with both teams closely matching what the other allows, which puts extra emphasis on Toronto’s edge in interior scoring and overall defensive stability.

PICK – TORONTO -2.5

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CLEVELAND CAVALIERS @ PHILADELPHIA 76ERS

Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA
Odds: CLE $2.00 / PHI $1.85

TEAM TRENDS

• The 76ers have lost each of their last 7 home games against teams that held a winning record

WIN/LOSS

SEASON POINTS +/-

PICKS ATS

Cleveland and Philadelphia meet for the second time this season in a key Eastern Conference matchup. The Cavaliers took the first meeting 132–121 on November 6, powered by Donovan Mitchell’s 46-point performance, and they come in shooting efficiently at 49.4% over their last 10 games. Cleveland is 14–13 against the East but has struggled in tight finishes, going 0–3 in games decided by three points or fewer.

Philadelphia has been slightly stronger in conference play at 17–13 and is 6–4 in its last 10 games, averaging 118.6 points while allowing just 114.5. The 76ers score 117.1 points per game, nearly matching what Cleveland gives up, and have shown better balance defensively than the Cavaliers recently. Tyrese Maxey continues to lead the offense, averaging 30.9 points over his last 10 outings.

Both teams are producing similar scoring numbers, but Philadelphia has been more consistent defensively, while Cleveland brings the higher shooting efficiency and the confidence from winning the earlier head-to-head.

PICK – CLEVELAND +1.0

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UTAH JAZZ @ CHICAGO BULLS

United Center, Chicago, IL
Odds: UTAH $2.15 / CHI $1.73

TEAM TRENDS

• The Bulls have lost 4 of their last 5 games

WIN/LOSS

SEASON POINTS +/-

PICKS ATS

Chicago hosts Utah in a non-conference matchup that could turn into another high-scoring game, especially after their last meeting finished 150–147 in overtime on November 17. The Bulls are slight favorites at home, where they are 11–9 this season and a strong 7–2 in games decided by three points or fewer.

Utah has struggled away from home at 5–13 and continues to be one of the weakest defensive teams in the league, allowing 126.9 points per game. Over their last 10 games, opponents are still scoring 125.5 points per contest against the Jazz. Chicago scores 117.2 points per game, well below Utah’s defensive allowance, which gives the Bulls a major offensive edge.

The Jazz are more explosive offensively, led by Lauri Markkanen, who is averaging 27.9 points and 7.2 rebounds, with Keyonte George adding 21.3 points per game over his last 10. However, their inability to get stops has cost them consistently.

Chicago has gone 4–6 over its last 10 games, allowing 114.3 points per game, while Utah is also 4–6 but giving up more than 11 extra points per night. Nikola Vucevic continues to anchor the Bulls inside, averaging 16.4 points and 9.3 rebounds, while Matas Buzelis has contributed 16.8 points per game over his last 10.

With Utah allowing nearly 10 more points per game than Chicago scores on average, and the memory of their 297-point overtime shootout earlier this season, another fast-paced, offense-heavy matchup is likely.

PICK – CHICAGO -2.5

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BROOKLYN NETS @ NEW ORLEANS PELICANS

Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA
Odds: BKN $1.80 / NO $2.05

TEAM TRENDS

• The Pelicans have lost each of their last 6 home games

WIN/LOSS

SEASON POINTS +/-

PICKS ATS

Brooklyn heads to New Orleans trying to snap a four-game losing streak, but this matchup still leans toward the Nets based on defense and recent head-to-head results.

New Orleans has struggled badly at home, going just 6–18, and is 1–3 in games decided by fewer than four points. The Pelicans are allowing 122.4 points per game while scoring only 108.7, one of the largest negative differentials in the league. They have also dropped nine of their last 10 games, giving up nearly 122 points per contest in that span.

Brooklyn hasn’t been much better lately at 3–7 over its last 10, but its defense has been far more reliable. The Nets rank fourth in the Eastern Conference in points allowed, giving up just 113.8 per game, and they already beat New Orleans 119–101 on December 6.

Offensively, the Pelicans rely heavily on Zion Williamson, who is averaging 23.4 points over his last 10 games, while Brooklyn is powered by Michael Porter Jr., who is putting up 25.9 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game.

With both teams struggling, this shapes up as Brooklyn’s defense versus New Orleans’ inconsistency. The Nets being slight favorites reflects their ability to control tempo and limit scoring, something the Pelicans have been unable to do all season.

PICK – OVER 228.5 TOTAL POINTS

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DENVER NUGGETS @ DALLAS MAVERICKS

American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX
Odds: DEN $1.92 / DAL $1.92

TEAM TRENDS

• The home team has won 16 of the Mavericks’ last 18 games
• The Mavericks have won the first half in 5 of their last 6 games against the Nuggets

WIN/LOSS

SEASON POINTS +/-

PICKS ATS

Denver heads to Dallas looking to extend its three-game road winning streak in a matchup that has already produced two close games this season. The Nuggets are 17-7 against Western Conference opponents and continue to control the glass, ranking eighth in the NBA in defensive rebounds at 33.2 per game.

Dallas has struggled in conference play at 8-17 and is giving up 116.8 points per game. The Mavericks did steal the last meeting, a 131-130 win on Dec. 24 behind Cooper Flagg’s 33 points, while Jamal Murray scored 31 for Denver. That game was decided by one point after both teams shot efficiently and pushed the pace late.

Overall, Denver owns a strong scoring edge, averaging 122.7 points per game, nearly six more than what Dallas typically allows. The Mavericks shoot 47.0% from the field, almost identical to what the Nuggets give up defensively, but turnovers remain an issue, averaging 14.9 per game.

Recent form shows both teams sitting at 5-5 or worse over their last 10 games. Dallas is 4-6 in that span, allowing 116.5 points per game, while Denver is 5-5 and giving up 118.1. The difference has been consistency, with Denver still showing the stronger overall profile on both ends.

PICK – OVER 226.5 TOTAL POINTS

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NEW YORK KNICKS @ SACRAMENTO KINGS

Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA
Odds: NY $1.20 / SAC $4.80

TEAM TRENDS

• The Knicks have won each of their last 9 road games against teams that held a losing record

WIN/LOSS

SEASON POINTS +/-

PICKS ATS

New York heads to Sacramento in a matchup that strongly favors the Knicks on paper. The Kings have struggled badly at home, going 7–13 and being outscored by 11.0 points per game while allowing 121.2 points per contest. Over their last 10 games, Sacramento is just 3–7, averaging only 104.6 points while giving up 117.4.

The Knicks are 9–10 on the road but remain one of the best shooting teams in the East, ranking second at 38.3% from three. They also benefit from Sacramento’s weak perimeter defense, with the Kings allowing nearly 50% shooting from opponents. New York averages 14.6 made threes per game allowed, while Sacramento only makes 10.5.

Offensively, the Knicks are led by Jalen Brunson, who is averaging 28.4 points over his last 10 games, and Karl-Anthony Towns, who is posting 21.2 points and 11.4 rebounds per game. Sacramento relies on Russell Westbrook and DeMar DeRozan, but the team has struggled to generate consistent scoring or defensive stops.

Recent form shows New York at 5–5 in its last 10, averaging 117.7 points, while Sacramento continues to fall behind opponents on both ends. With the Kings allowing heavy scoring and New York’s strength from deep, this sets up as a difficult matchup for Sacramento to control.

PICK – OVER 231.5 TOTAL POINTS

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WASHINGTON WIZARDS @ LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS

Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
Odds: WSH $5.50 / LAC $1.16

TEAM TRENDS

• The Clippers have won each of their last 17 home games against the Wizards
• The Wizards have lost both halves in each of their last 3 games

WIN/LOSS

SEASON POINTS +/-

PICKS ATS

Washington travels to Los Angeles trying to stop a three-game losing streak against a Clippers team that has been one of the hottest in the league. The Clippers are 8–2 over their last 10 games and have held opponents to just 107.0 points per game during that stretch, showing a major defensive improvement.

Los Angeles is 10–9 at home and continues to lean on Kawhi Leonard, who is averaging 28.1 points on 50.1% shooting, with James Harden adding steady production as a secondary scorer. The Clippers also hold a small perimeter edge, making 13.3 three-pointers per game while Washington allows 14.3.

The Wizards have struggled badly away from home at 4–15, even though they control the defensive glass well, ranking fourth in the East in defensive rebounds. Offensively, Washington scores 112.8 points per game, nearly identical to what the Clippers allow, but their defense has been less reliable, giving up 118.0 points per game over the last 10.

Recent form clearly favors Los Angeles. The Clippers are outscoring opponents by more than seven points per game in their last 10, while Washington remains inconsistent despite solid individual play from Alex Sarr. This sets up as a tough road spot for the Wizards against a Clippers team playing with confidence and momentum.

PICK – UNDER 224.5 TOTAL POINTS

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