The NBA regular season resumes with a jam packed slate this Monday, with a total of 12 matchups on the docket scheduled for today. So, our staff of basketball betting experts dug into the latest odds and identified all the best value on the board for tonight.
Our betting experts have looked over the odds and made 8 NBA picks for today's matchups. Continue below for our NBA best bets and predictions for Monday, January 27.
NBA Best Bets, Predictions, Picks, Odds: Monday, January 27
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 7:30 p.m. | |
  | 7 p.m. | |
  | 7:30 p.m. | |
  | 8 p.m. | |
  | 7 p.m. | |
  | 8 p.m. | |
  | 9 p.m. | |
  | 9:30 p.m. | |
Specific betting recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our NBA Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game. | ||
Pelicans vs. Raptors
By Joe Dellera
The Pelicans face off against the Raptors today, and I’ll target Zion Williamson to keep crushing, even in limited minutes.
Zion is averaging 23.1 points per game over his last 10 despite playing just 28.6 minutes in those games.
Even though his minutes are limited, he has a 36.8% Usage rate, which is by far the highest in his career after having a 29.8% Usage rate last season.
He is benefitting from not playing with Brandon Ingram. In his last 30 games without Ingram, he has exceeded this line on 22/30 occasions, while averaging 25.8 points per game.
This matchup against the Raptors is soft, as they have a bottom-10 defense and play at a top-10 Pace. They also allow the ninth-most points in the paint to their opponents.
I’ll grab Zion to exceed 21.5 points.
Pick: Zion Williamson Over 21.5 Points (-105)
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Lakers vs. Hornets
Having defeated the Celtics at home and the Warriors on the road during the past four days, the Lakers appear to be in a letdown spot facing the Hornets tonight.
The Hornets are having their best six-game stretch of the season, winning four of their past six contests.
The Hornets blew out the Pelicans at home two days ago in their last game. They have surrendered 105 points or fewer in three of their last four games.
I’ll take the Under in this one.
Pick: Hornets +5.5 (-110)
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Magic vs. Heat
Jimmy Butler isn't on the injury report and is expected to play.
I want to say wait on this just in case literally anything happens before tipoff that could make this yet another wonky experience for the Heat, but in reality, this is independent of all the drama.
Why? Because the Magic just matchup so well with the Heat, plus Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs are all back.
Orlando is 2-1 against Miami this year with a +25 point differential. Butler is back… unless he's suspended again or actually traded. What if he comes off the bench? Lord, the possibilities.
Regardless (or "irregardless" as my homies say in Miami), I think Orlando straight up wins tonight.
I'd play them to cover in the first quarter and or first half too. Magic first quarter (or first half) winner and Magic moneyline combo isn't on the market as of this writing, but that's one I'll monitor as well.
Pick: Magic -1 (-115)
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Hawks vs. Timberwolves
By Alex Hinton
Vit Krejci is coming a season-best performance when he had 20 points and 7 assists against Toronto. As a 10.5-point underdog tonight, Atlanta will need a repeat performance to pull off the upset in Minnesota. It will be without Trae Young and Jalen Johnson tonight.
Without its two best players, you would probably assume that the Hawks will struggle offensively. However, Minnesota is not going to pitch a shutout and we only need six baskets to cash this line.
Krejci and Dyson Daniels will be the team's primary ballhandlers tonight and Daniel's assists line is at 5.5 as well. However, Krejci will not have the draining assignment of guarding Anthony Edwards at the other end.
Including Saturday's game, Krejci already has hit this line in four of his last games. When Young missed a game earlier in the year, Johnson had 10 assists en route to a triple-double.
Now, without both of their top playmakers, the Hawks will be without 16.5 assists per game.
With that in mind, I don't mind a ladder in this spot. You can back Krejci to tally 8+ assists at +300 and 10 assists at +750 on FanDuel.
Pick: Vit Krejci Over 5.5 Assists (-113)
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Pistons vs. Cavaliers
By Ray Monohan
The Cavaliers and Pistons meet on Monday, as JB Bickerstaff visits his old arena once again. This should be a good spot to back the Under, as this total appears to be too high.
Cleveland has dropped three straight games, and they're going to come out with an emphasis on the defensive end. They've given up far too many easy looks at the rim and they're giving up offensive rebounds which they haven't done all season.
Detroit has been tough, but this offense still has its inconsistencies.
Both defenses give up around 112-113 points per game, and this should be one where they both step up here. Grab the Under.
Pick: Under 235.5 (-115)
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Nuggets vs. Bulls
By Nick Parsons
The Bulls will be looking to do anything they can to snap their current spell of poor play, most recently falling 109-97 at home to Philly. Note though, the Bulls are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games when coming off a SU/ATS home loss as a favorite.
Denver is 28-17, but it just had its four-game win streak snapped last time out at Minnesota, falling 133-104.
With upcoming games at the Knicks, Philly and Charlotte, I think we may see the visitors get caught looking ahead here.
The Bulls are 19-27 now, and the road ahead will not get any easier for them, with three games on the road after this, starting at Boston.
At the very least, I expect the Bulls to keep this one competitive enough down the stretch to sneak in through the back door with all of the points they are being given in this spot.
Pick: Bulls +9.5 (-110)
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Bucks vs. Jazz
By Ray Monohan
The Jazz welcome in the Bucks tonight, and this is a great spot to catch points with Utah.
The Jazz may not have the best record, but this month they've at least battled and found some wins. A majority of their losses have also been close, as many of their games have gone all the way down to the wire.
Utah is a young team and they're at their best when they can utilize their speed to get out and run.
That's going to be the game plan here, as this team is still averaging around 112 points per game, and they can score in flurries.
If the Jazz can get their transition game going early, the Bucks will be in some trouble defensively. Grab as many points as you can with Utah tonight.
Pick: Jazz +9.5 (-115)
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Clippers vs. Suns
Guess what team ranks first in defensive efficiency during the last eight games…
Come on down and collect your prize if you said the Clippers.
This has coincided with the return of Kawhi Leonard, who not only is a great scorer but an outstanding defender.
The Suns rank among the top-11 in defensive efficiency during this span. Both teams play at a below average tempo.
I'll take the Under.
Pick: Under 224.5 (-108)
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