NBA Tips Tonight – Friday, 16th January

This article is free. For more picks, see our Free NBA Predictions.

NEW ORLEANS PELICANS @ INDIANA PACERS

Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN
Odds: NO $2.15 / IND $1.73

TEAM TRENDS

• The home team has won each of the last 10 games between the Pelicans and Pacers

WIN/LOSS

SEASON POINTS +/-

PICKS ATS

New Orleans and Indiana meet for the second time this season on Friday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, with both teams sitting 15th in their conferences. The Pelicans won the first matchup 128-109 on December 20, and the home team has now won each of the last 10 meetings between these sides.

Indiana comes off a 115-101 home loss to Toronto despite a strong showing from Pascal Siakam, who posted 26 points and 10 rebounds. The Pacers have struggled against Western Conference teams, winning just 1 of their last 9 in those matchups.

New Orleans, on the other hand, edged Brooklyn 116-113 on Wednesday behind a big night from Trey Murphy III and solid support from Zion Williamson. The Pelicans will be trying to carry that momentum onto the road, where they have gone just 3-21 over their last 24 games.

PICK – UNDER 238.5 TOTAL POINTS

–

---

CLEVELAND CAVALIERS @ PHILADELPHIA 76ERS

Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA
Odds: CLE $2.05 / PHI $1.80

TEAM TRENDS

• The 76ers have lost each of their last 8 home games against teams that held a winning record.
• Each of the last 6 games between the Cavaliers and 76ers have gone OVER the total match points line.
• The Cavaliers have won the first half in each of their last 4 games against the 76ers.
• The 76ers have failed to cover the line in each of their last 5 home games against Eastern opponents that held a winning record.

WIN/LOSS

SEASON POINTS +/-

PICKS ATS

Set to meet for the second time in three days at Xfinity Mobile Arena, Cleveland and Philadelphia face off again on Friday night after the Cavaliers’ dominant 133-107 win on Wednesday. That result gave Cleveland a 2-0 edge in the four-game season series.

The Cavaliers controlled the paint in the first meeting, outscoring the 76ers 48-32, and also locked down the perimeter, holding Philadelphia to 12-43 shooting from three-point range (27.9%). Cleveland shot more efficiently overall and built separation early before cruising home.

Donovan Mitchell led all scorers with 35 points, adding 7 rebounds, 9 assists and 5 made threes. Evan Mobley was also a major factor, posting 17 points, 13 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 blocks. Cleveland now sits at 23-19 on the season, while Philadelphia drops to 22-17.

The 76ers will be looking for a much cleaner offensive performance after struggling to generate quality perimeter looks and failing to match Cleveland’s physicality inside.

PICK – CLEVELAND +1.5

–

---

CHICAGO BULLS @ BROOKLYN NETS

Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY
Odds: CHI $1.92 / BKN $1.92

TEAM TRENDS

• The Nets have lost 8 of their last 9 games.
• The Nets have won the first half in 8 of their last 9 home games against the Bulls.

WIN/LOSS

SEASON POINTS +/-

PICKS ATS

Set to meet for the second time this season, Chicago and Brooklyn clash at Barclays Center on Friday night after the Nets claimed a 113–103 win at United Center on December 3. Brooklyn will be aiming to extend its four-game home winning streak against the Bulls.

The Nets come into this matchup struggling for form, having dropped eight of their last nine games, including a narrow 116–113 loss to New Orleans at Smoothie King Center. Defensive lapses late in games have been a recurring issue, and consistency remains a major concern despite strong individual performances.

Chicago arrives with momentum after edging Utah 128–126 on Wednesday. Nikola Vucevic was dominant, pouring in 35 points with five assists on an efficient 14-of-22 shooting. When Vucevic is locked in, the Bulls are a different team, holding an 18–4 record over their last 22 games when he shoots 55.0% or better from the field. His interior scoring and ability to draw defensive attention will again be central to Chicago’s game plan.

PICK – CHICAGO +1.5

–

---

LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS @ TORONTO RAPTORS

Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON
Odds: LAC $1.80 / TOR $2.05

TEAM TRENDS

• The Raptors have won 7 of their last 8 home games against teams that held a losing record.
• The Clippers have won the first half in 5 of their last 6 games.

WIN/LOSS

SEASON POINTS +/-

PICKS ATS

Set to meet for the first time this season, the Los Angeles Clippers and Toronto Raptors clash at Scotiabank Arena on Friday night. Their two-game series last season ended level, with both teams successfully defending home court.

Toronto comes in off a strong 115–101 road win over Indiana at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Scottie Barnes led the way with 26 points and a season-high 13 assists on 10-of-16 shooting, while Brandon Ingram added 30 points. Gradey Dick continued his breakout stretch with 21 points, matching his season high, and a career-high 11 rebounds. The Raptors shot efficiently from the field and controlled the pace despite missing key backcourt pieces.

On the other side, the Clippers rolled past Washington 119–105 at Intuit Dome on Wednesday. Kawhi Leonard starred with 33 points, four steals and seven made three-pointers, tying his career high. James Harden supported with 22 points and eight assists as Los Angeles overcame the absence of its starting frontcourt. The Clippers have now won multiple games this season when scoring 115+ points, showing how dangerous their offense becomes when their stars are in rhythm.

PICK – UNDER 216.0 TOTAL POINTS

–

---

MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES @ HOUSTON ROCKETS

Toyota Center, Houston, TX
Odds: MIN $2.35 / HOU $1.62

TEAM TRENDS

• Minnesota Timberwolves have won each of their last 13 games against opponents on the second leg of a back-to-back.
• 7 of the last 8 games between the Timberwolves and Rockets have gone OVER.
• The Timberwolves have won the 1st half in each of their last 4 road games.
• The Rockets have failed to cover the line in each of their last 7 games.

WIN/LOSS

SEASON POINTS +/-

PICKS ATS

Set to meet for the first time this season, the Minnesota Timberwolves and Houston Rockets will face off at Toyota Center on Friday night. Last season’s four-game series ended evenly, with both teams winning once at home and once on the road. Alperen Sengun was a major factor in those matchups, averaging 25.0 points, 11.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists.

Houston comes into this one off a disappointing 111–91 home loss to Oklahoma City, a result that snapped a seven-game home winning streak. The Rockets struggled offensively throughout that contest and were unable to generate consistent scoring in the half court, an area that will be critical against a Minnesota defense that has tightened up significantly over the last two weeks.

Minnesota arrives in strong form after demolishing Milwaukee 139–106 on the road on Tuesday. Julius Randle led the way with 29 points, eight rebounds and six assists on 12-of-18 shooting, while the Timberwolves dominated the paint and moved the ball effectively despite playing without Anthony Edwards. Minnesota has now won six of its last seven games and is averaging well over 120 points per game in that stretch, showing elite offensive rhythm to go with its defensive structure.

PICK – MINNESOTA +3.5

–

---

WASHINGTON WIZARDS @ SACRAMENTO KINGS

Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA
Odds: WSH $2.90 / SAC $1.44

TEAM TRENDS

• Washington Wizards have won each of their last 4 games as underdogs on the first leg of a back-to-back.

WIN/LOSS

SEASON POINTS +/-

PICKS ATS

Set to meet for the first time in the 2025–26 season, the Washington Wizards and Sacramento Kings will face off at Golden 1 Center on Friday night. Home court has decided each of the last four meetings between these sides, including last season’s two-game series, which was split with both teams winning at home.

Sacramento enters off a confidence-boosting 112–101 upset win over New York, snapping a four-game losing streak against Eastern Conference opponents. Precious Achiuwa posted 20 points and 14 rebounds, DeMar DeRozan added 27 points, and Russell Westbrook recorded a 19-point, six-rebound, 11-assist triple-double threat performance. The Kings controlled the glass and assisted on a high percentage of their made baskets, a key trend when they win at home.

Washington comes off a 119–105 loss to the Clippers, marking their 29th defeat in the last 33 road games against Western Conference teams. The Wizards continue to struggle defensively away from home, allowing high-efficiency scoring and finding it difficult to slow opposing backcourts. Their road form remains a major concern against a Kings side that has been far more competitive in Sacramento.

PICK – OVER 231.5 TOTAL POINTS

–