With seven NBA matchups scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 14, bettors are in for a loaded night of action on DraftKings Sportsbook. Let’s look at my top betting picks for today’s NBA games.
Here’s a look at the full schedule for today’s games:
Cavaliers at Pacers, 7 EST
Thunder at 76ers, 7 EST
Suns at Hawks, 7:30 EST
Pelicans at Bulls, 8 EST
Kings at Bucks, 8 EST
Nuggets at Mavericks, 9:30 EST
Nets at Trail Blazers, 10 EST
Cavs -8 (-115)
The Pacers, currently on a six-game win streak, will be without their star playmaker, Tyrese Haliburton, who is doubtful due to left hamstring soreness. Haliburton leads the team with 8.8 assists per game and averages 18.1 points. His absence significantly hampers the Pacers’ offensive flow, especially in a crucial matchup against a determined Cleveland squad.
Coming off a rare loss, Cleveland will look to rebound at home, where it’s been nearly unbeatable this season with a 20-2 record. Coach Kenny Atkinson has stressed the importance of playing a complete game and making better halftime adjustments, especially after Sunday’s defeat. The Cavaliers are led by Donovan Mitchell, who averages 22.8 points per game, and Darius Garland, who scores 20.9 points per game. Their potent offense should be able to exploit Indiana’s weakened lineup without Haliburton. With its depth and firepower, Cleveland is well-positioned to cover the -8 spread in this matchup.
Suns -3.5 (-105)
The Suns aim to extend their defensive resurgence as they begin a five-game road trip in Atlanta. Phoenix won 123-115 against the Hawks last Thursday and is seeking its first win in Atlanta since 2014. The Hawks enter well-rested, having not played since the postponement of their game on Saturday due to winter weather. Despite recent struggles, Phoenix has won three straight, with key performances from Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal.
Atlanta has struggled against Phoenix’s defense, with the Suns’ trio often creating shots late in the clock. Trae Young, who has been leading the Hawks, is questionable due to illness, though his presence at shootaround suggests he may play. The Hawks are also missing Jalen Johnson and potentially Bogdan Bogdanovic, which weakens their backcourt. With Phoenix’s defensive improvements and the Hawks’ injury concerns, the Suns should cover the -3.5 spread.
Bucks -2.5 (-108)
The Kings are riding a seven-game win streak, including notable victories over Boston and Chicago, but they face a tough challenge in Milwaukee. The Kings, who have been playing well offensively with strong performances from De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis, are still without the defensive presence to effectively protect the rim. In their most recent game, the Kings took down the Bulls 124-119, with Fox contributing 26 points in his return from injury. Sacramento’s offense has been dynamic, but defensively, it continues to struggle to contain elite players in the paint.
The Bucks, meanwhile, are looking to bounce back after a tough 140-106 loss to the New York Knicks, their eighth straight defeat against top teams in the Eastern Conference. Giannis Antetokounmpo remains the key force for Milwaukee, and he’s been dominant, leading the league in scoring and posting nine consecutive double-doubles. His ability to get to the rim makes him a matchup nightmare, especially for a Kings team that lacks the rim protection to stop him. The Bucks should have the edge in this matchup, covering the -2.5 spread.
Nuggets -3.5 (-110)
The Nuggets aim to extend their momentum after a 112-101 win over the Mavericks on Sunday, where they dominated the fourth quarter, outscoring Dallas 33-12. Nikola Jokic posted 19 points, 18 rebounds and nine assists, while Aaron Gordon added 13 points in his return from injury. Dallas is eager to bounce back, with Kyrie Irving potentially returning after missing five games due to illness and a back sprain. Irving has been sorely missed, particularly in crunch time. His return could provide a much-needed boost, especially with Luka Doncic still sidelined with a calf injury.
The Mavericks must address rebounding and bench scoring issues despite strong performances from players like Dereck Lively II and P.J. Washington. However, Jokic and Denver’s depth, including contributions from Russell Westbrook and Gordon, give the Nuggets the upper hand. Expect Denver to cover the -3.5 spread as it builds on its dominant second-half performance and capitalizes on Dallas’ ongoing struggles.
Blazers -5 (-115)
The Nets and Trail Blazers are struggling, with Brooklyn on a five-game losing streak and Portland having dropped two consecutive games. The Nets’ latest defeat was a narrow 112-111 overtime loss to Utah, where they showed some late-game improvement despite the loss. Cam Thomas is out, while Cameron Johnson and D’Angelo Russell are questionable. Ben Simmons posted a solid all-around performance against Utah with 14 points, six rebounds and nine assists but is also listed as questionable due to back and knee issues.
Portland faces injury concerns with Robert Williams III out with an illness and Jerami Grant still recovering from a facial contusion. Additionally, Deni Avdija and Dalano Banton are both listed as questionable. Anfernee Simons and Shaedon Sharpe have led the offense, but the absence of key players leaves Portland thin. Given Brooklyn’s struggles despite showing resilience and Portland’s ongoing injury woes, the Trail Blazers should cover the -5 spread in this matchup.
