The NBA regular season continues with another solid slate this Thursday, with a total of 8 matchups on the docket scheduled for today. So, our staff of basketball experts dug into the latest odds and identified all the best betting value on the board for tonight.
Our betting experts have looked over the odds and made 5 NBA picks for today's matchups. Continue below for our NBA best bets and predictions for Thursday, January 9.
NBA Best Bets Today, Predictions, Picks, Odds: Thursday, January 9
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 8:30 p.m. | |
  | 7 p.m. | |
  | 9 p.m. | |
  | 9 p.m. | |
| 8:30 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. | ||
Trail Blazers vs. Mavericks
By Alex Hinton
Once again, the Mavericks will be without their star backcourt duo of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. That means others will have to step up and Quentin Grimes was up to the task on Tuesday night.
Grimes scored 23 points on 8-17 from the field and 6-11 from three as the Mavericks upset the Lakers at home in his latest outing.
Grimes has now scored 15+ points in three of his last four games, and four of his last six. One of those games that he cleared this line came against Portland, who he will face again tonight, this time at home.
Portland is 23rd in both points and 3-pointers allowed per game. They are also 25th in 3-pointers allowed to shooting guards at 3.7 per game on the season.
While Grimes is still coming off the bench, he has seen 25 minutes in each of his last seven games. In his last five games, he has a usage rate north of 20%. That means he will have ample opportunity to clear this line again.
He may even get to 20 again like he has in two of his last three games with 26 and 23 points. You can also back Grimes to score 20+ points tonight at +290 on FanDuel.
Pick: Quentin Grimes Over 14.5 Points (-120)
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Timberwolves vs. Magic
The wrong team might be favored here, especially with a potential surprise awaiting the underdogs.
The Magic are home underdogs against Minnesota tonight, and soon they will receive a significant boost from the return of Paolo Banchero, who was scoring 29 points per game before suffering an oblique injury that has kept him out since Halloween.
Word is Banchero will return to Orlando's lineup either tonight against the Timberwolves or tomorrow against the Bucks, but even if he waits another day, recent Orlando form suggests Jamahl Mosley is squeezing a lot more from his team right now than Chris Finch is for the Wolves.
Narrow wins over the Clippers and Pelicans this week don't suggest a Minnesota turnaround, as the offense continues to look disjointed with Anthony Edwards handling and shooting the ball too often, and Rudy Gobert too awkward of a fit for this offense to be on the floor 30-35 minutes per night.
I'll take the points with Orlando.
Pick: Magic +5.5 (-110)
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Hawks vs. Suns
By Joe Dellera
The Hawks face off against the Suns tonight, and will be without one of their key contributors in Jalen Johnson.
Without Johnson, I’m targeting De’Andre Hunter. Hunter is averaging 19.7 points per game this season in 27.9 minutes per game.
When he doesn’t share the floor with Jalen Johnson, he sees his scoring average increase by over 1 point per 100 possessions, which is not incredibly stark. However, it is a slight move in the right direction.
I expect this game to be fairly fast-paced given the Hawks’ ability to speed up their opponents. Plus, the Suns’ defense now ranks bottom-10 in the league.
Hunter has exceeded this mark of 17.5 points in 8 of his last 10 games, and I like him to do so again on Thursday night.
Pick: De’Andre Hunter Over 17.5 Points (-115)
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Jazz vs. Heat
Walker Kessler has recorded a double double in five of his last six games, and he actually draws a favorable matchup in this one despite the Heat's overall defensive pedigree.
Miami allows the most defensive rebounds per 100 possessions in the NBA, and the third-most rebounds as a whole.
Kessler will be the best rebounder we see on the floor tonight, which is always a challenge for Bam Adebayo, despite his defensive prowess. Size is size.
John Collins is out too, so that helps.
Pick: Walker Kessler Double Double (+110)
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Trail Blazers vs. Mavericks
The Trail Blazers are finally healthy, and the Mavericks, including their star players Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic, have several injuries.
The Blazers have won two of their last three games, and covered each spread in all three games. Portland is in good form at the moment and very well could be a wise bet tonight.
On the other hand, the Mavericks won and covered the spread for the first time in their last seven games by upsetting the Lakers by a score of 118-97 in their most recent outing.
The Mavericks have two upcoming games against Denver and may be looking ahead in this spot. Take the points with Portland.
Pick: Trail Blazers +8 (-115)
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