The 2023-24 NBA season has begun and we’re excited over here at VSiN. As always, Jonathan Von Tobel will be providing you with his exceptional coverage of the greatest league in the world. Just click here for all of his content. However, all of my picks will be featured in this daily column, which will combine my NBA best bets and NBA player props. So, keep reading to find out how I’m playing the NBA slate on Monday, January 29. Also, check out our NBA Odds page for the latest line movement.
MORE: Check out our Pro Picks page for everything our experts have on January 29
2023 Record: 175-159-1 (+10.20 units)
NBA Best Bets Today – January 29
Los Angeles Clippers at Cleveland Cavaliers – 7:00 pm ET
The Clippers have a relatively clean injury report tonight, so I’m not overthinking this. I’m dropping the hammer with Los Angeles as a small road underdog. I know that Cleveland is a tough place to play, but the Clippers are the best team in the league right now. Over the last 15 games, Los Angeles has the highest offensive rating in basketball. So, I don’t see the Clippers having much trouble scoring, even against a Cavaliers team that is second in defensive rating in that span. I also like that Los Angeles has a few elite wing defenders to throw on Donovan Mitchell. On top of that, the Clippers are 23-13 against the spread as favorites this year. They have won those games by 10.3 points per game.
Bet: Clippers ML (-125 – 2 units)
New Orleans Pelicans at Boston Celtics – 7:30 pm ET
This is the first night of a back-to-back for the Celtics, who have Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis listed as questionable. I wouldn’t be shocked if Boston is cautious with at least one of them. If that’s the case, New Orleans would have a massive advantage around the basket. Either way, I still think New Orleans is getting too many points here. I know how dangerous this Celtics team can be, but the Pelicans are a good basketball team. Sure, they have lost three of four coming into this game. However, they’re still 9-6 in their last 15 games, and they’re capable of turning things up a notch defensively. I think we’ll see that from New Orleans here, as this is a big game. The Pelicans can’t afford to turn in a third dud in a row. So, I’m trusting New Orleans with my NBA best bets.
Bet: Pelicans +9 (-110)
Utah Jazz at Brooklyn Nets – 7:30 pm ET
The Over has hit in four of the last five games that the Jazz have played, and they have consistently played games with totals of 235 or higher. So, if you were thinking this number seems high, it really isn’t. Of course, the Nets have gone Under in each of their last three games, so they haven’t consistently played high-scoring games. But Utah is the team with a clear identity here, so the Jazz should be able to dictate the way this game is played. Utah actually put up 125 points when these teams met on December 18. The reason that Over didn’t hit is that Brooklyn scored just 108. But the Nets offense should be a bit more explosive in a home game. Brooklyn is also getting a jolt of energy with Ben Simmons returning.
Bet: Over 235 (-110 – 1.5 units)
Los Angeles Lakers at Houston Rockets – 8:00 pm ET
The Rockets have cooled down a bit but they’re still 16-8 both straight-up and ATS at home this year. Now, Houston hosts a Los Angeles team that is 9-15 SU and 11-13 ATS on the road. The Rockets are also playing some better basketball lately, as they have covered in three of their last four. That isn’t surprising considering Houston is starting to get healthy. The Rockets have also played the Lakers tough thus far. They won by 34 when the two met in Houston on November 8. Houston then lost two road games against Los Angeles by a combined 11 points. It’s just hard to overlook the fact that the Rockets are a good defensive team. They also happen to launch more 3s per game than the Lakers. That makes this an uphill battle for Los Angeles. So it’s another Lakers fade for me with tonight’s NBA best bets.
Bet: Rockets +1 (-110 – 1.5 units)
NBA Player Props Today – January 29
Sacramento Kings at Memphis Grizzlies – 8:00 pm ET
Since the start of January, Vince Williams Jr. is averaging 14.8 points per game on 50.9% shooting from the floor and 46.9% shooting from 3. He has been a revelation for a Memphis team that is in the middle of a lost season. Now, Williams Jr. gets a crack at a Sacramento team that is in the bottom half of the league in adjusted defensive rating. The Kings also play at a relatively fast pace. So, this is a great match-up for a guard. And Memphis doesn’t have many options outside of Williams Jr., so I like his chances of scoring a good amount tonight. He has scored at least 12 in six of his last eight games. He has also scored at least 15 in five of the last eight. That’s why Williams Jr. is my only target with tonight’s NBA player props.
Bet: Williams Jr. Over 11.5 Points (-130 – 1.5 units) & Alt Points 15+ (+165 – 0.5 units)
Added Plays
Magic +4 (-110 – 2 units) vs. Mavericks
Nuggets -3.5 (-115) vs. Bucks
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