Saturday’s NBA slate has a total of six games featured for fans, where the day starts with the Cleveland Cavaliers welcoming the Minnesota Timberwolves. In the evening slot, the Indiana Pacers will be up against the Miami Heat in what we can expect to be a lopsided game. In a highly-anticipated clash, the Boston Celtics will lock horns with the San Antonio Spurs. There is a lot more for fans to enjoy, and punters to bet upon.
Rather than breaking down every game, we have picked our NBA best bets today, which consist of one spread, and two player props. These are the plays we would prioritize while looking for only a few spots on Saturday’s cards.
However, if you want full game previews, head to our NBA picks and predictions page for tonight and get set going. Otherwise, scroll down to look into our favorite NBA best bets of the day and a quick breakdown for each play.
The Miami Heat are the best-ranked team in the league in terms of pace. In limiting their rivals, they are ranked second, and also sit in the top shelf in defensive rating. On the other hand, the Indiana Pacers are struggling badly this season. They are amongst the bottom-placed teams in terms of defensive rating as well as in points allowed. This suggests that while the Heat are a defensively elite team, the Pacers are at the opposite end.
Books have the Heat at -7.5, which seems short considering the Heat’s overall form and the Pacers’ poor form. We like the Heat to win big.
Considering the Miami Heat’s dominance this season, defensive edge, and Pacers’ struggles to survive, we are laying the Heat -7.5 as our NBA Best Bet of the day.
Game 2: Play #2: Jaylen Brown Over 28.5 Points vs San Antonio Spurs
Jaylen Brown has established himself as the team’s go-to scorer as the team missed Jayson Tatum due to an Achilles injury. After a few initial hiccups, he started to deliver big performances and lead his team to a promising campaign. Brown is dropping around 30 points per game, and has been consistent in it.
In the last five games, he has had three games with 29 points or more, including a 50-point show against the LA Clippers. The Spurs are a defensively powered team, but the Celtics have home-court advantage.
The line at 28.5 fits well for Brown given the Spurs’ defensive edge but the Celtics’ home advantage. We like Brown to go over 28.5 points on Saturday.
Game 3: Play #3: Cade Cunningham Over 27.5 Points vs LA Clippers
Cade Cunningham averages almost 27 points per game for the Detroit Pistons, and is seeded 12th in the league in scoring. He maintains the same average on the road as well as against the LA Clippers. In the last game he played against the New York Knicks, Cunningham dropped 29 points, his fifth 27+ point game in the last five contests.
The LA Clippers maintain a 116.0 defensive rating at home this season, while the Pistons are an offensively charged team on the road.
The line at 27.5 points fits Cunningham well, considering his recent form, and the Clippers’ defensive struggles.
We like Cunningham to score 28 points or more tonight.
How We Are Betting Tonight’s NBA Slate
The Miami Heat have a defensive edge against the struggling Indiana Pacers, which makes them favorites to come on top. Jaylen Brown’s homeground advantage and Cade Cunningham’s recent form and the Clippers’ defensive struggles make them star scorers of the night.
NBA Best Bets Recap for January 10
Best Bet: Best Bet: Miami Heat -7.5 vs Indiana Pacers (-112 at FanDuel)
Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.
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