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 27.
MORE: Check out the VSiN Pro Picks page for more bets from our talented hosts and analysts!
NBA Best Bets Today – Tuesday, January 27
Wizards +8 (-112) vs. Trail Blazers
Blazers at Wizards – 7:00 pm ET
I grabbed the +8 with Washington last night, posting it to the Pro Picks page while watching some Australian Open tennis. That number isn’t available anymore, but you can still find a +7.5. That’s a play I’d still be willing to take.
It does seem like Jrue Holiday will be available for Portland, which is a bit surprising with the veteran having played against Boston last night. That means the Blazers could have both Holiday and Deni Avdija, meaning they’ll be relatively close to full strength here. However, last night’s game did end up being somewhat close. The Blazers ended up losing by eight, with Toumani Camara and Shaedon Sharpe both playing big minutes. Portland also had several other rotation pieces get up there in minutes, so I’m expecting some tired legs tonight. That’s ultimately why I like the Wizards, who are young, fast, and coming off two full days of rest. They’re actually 10-8 ATS when coming off two days off under Brian Keefe.
Washington might be a bad team, but they’re a talented one. They have plenty of guards with scoring pop, a two-way stud on the inside in Alex Sarr, and they’re taking their growth very seriously. While Washington is viewed as a tanking team, this group has covered in three of the last four. And I ultimately question whether Portland’s offense is good enough to go on the road and win by margin.
Pelicans +14.5 (-110) vs. Thunder
Pelicans at Thunder – 8:00 pm ET
I’m not very worried about the Thunder winning games without a bunch of their key rotation pieces, but winning by 15 against a competitive opponent is another story. Oklahoma City is currently without Jalen Williams, Alex Caruso, Isaiah Hartenstein, and Ajay Mitchell. That’s an All-NBA wing, two All-Defense players (three including Williams), and one of the league’s best bench scorers. On top of that, Cason Wallace is questionable for the Thunder this evening. Of course, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren are still healthy for OKC, and the team has some other reliable rotation pieces — especially at guard. But I just don’t think it’s fair to expect a blowout win tonight. That’s why I’m jumping on New Orleans +14.5.
While the Thunder have lost back-to-back games — both straight-up and ATS — the Pelicans are 4-2 ATS in their last six games. The two non-covers also happened to be eight-point losses, so it’s not like we’ve seen too many ugly performances from New Orleans lately.
I just like Derik Queen to do a good job of scoring in this game, even with Holmgren covering him. I like his combination of strength and low center of gravity to help him get good positioning around the rim. I also believe New Orleans has an edge over Oklahoma City at the forward spots, plus I like the all-big lineup James Borrego has been playing. The length could ultimately bother Gilgeous-Alexander a bit.
Additional Plays (Late Picks, Parlays, Teasers, Futures)
PARLAY: Pistons ML vs. Nuggets & Clippers ML vs. Jazz (-118)
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2025-26 NBA Record: 294-277 (+5.08 units)
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