Every night of the 2025-26 NBA season gives us a fresh set of games and numbers to pick apart. This daily column digs into the best sides and totals on the board, using in-depth basketball analysis, betting trends, and our VSiN NBA betting splits to spot value. We’ll also be tackling these slates relentlessly on our live VSiN programming, which is why basketball fans should really consider a VSiN Pro subscription. Below you’ll find some NBA picks and predictions for January 14.
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NBA Best Bets Today – Wednesday, January 14
Nets ML (-125) vs. Pelicans
Nets at Pelicans – 8:00 pm ET
I had the Pelicans to beat the Nuggets last night, but they were unable to get the job done. New Orleans had plenty of chances to win, but the team wasn’t able to step on Denver’s throat. The Pelicans also played rather poorly down the stretch. Well, New Orleans now has to quickly turn around and face a feisty Brooklyn team, and I’m not sure I see the Pelicans winning this one.
Over the last 15 games, the Nets are fifth in the NBA in defensive rating (110.7). They also aren’t too far off the Pelicans when looking at offensive rating in that span (111.8 for Brooklyn, 1112.4 for New Orleans). All in all, the Nets have a net rating of +1.2 in this recent stretch, while the Pelicans are at -5.4. Brooklyn is just a better basketball team than New Orleans, and a lot of that has to do with the coaching of Jordi Fernandez.
I just trust the Nets to be a little more structured throughout this one, and it’s also hard not to factor in that this is a back-to-back for the Pelicans. This team could be a little fatigued out there, and I’m not sure we’ll see Zion Williamson.
Additional Plays (Parlays, Teasers, Futures)
PARLAY: Pacers Alt +10.5 vs. Raptors & Cavaliers Alt +8.5 vs. 76ers (-135 – 1.5 units) – I have leans on both the Pacers and the Cavaliers tonight, so I’m throwing them into an alternate line play together. Indiana has been playing some much better basketball lately, and Toronto is in a difficult rest spot. Philadelphia is also in a tough rest spot against Cleveland, and I like the way the Cavaliers match up with the 76ers. They have the type of backcourt punch you need to keep up with Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe, and Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley shouldn’t be bullied too much by Joel Embiiid. I also expect Cleveland to bounce back from a loss to Utah. This game is on national television, so this is a chance for the Cavs to throw some water on the fire.
Jazz ML (+120) vs. Bulls – I put this play in early this morning. Unfortunately, about an hour later, Lauri Markkanen popped up as questionable on the injury report. Markkanen is listed as having an illness, so something tells me this is going to be a tank-related absence. However, if he ends up suiting up, I like the Jazz. I think that Utah has been a better team than Chicago since the first month of the season, and I believe the best players on the floor in this game will be wearing Jazz jerseys. However, I wouldn’t suggest tailing unless Markkanen is playing, so make sure you’re constantly updating NBA’s injury report website. For now, I’m just stuck with a bad number.
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2025-26 NBA Record: 261-242 (+11.06 units)
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