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 8.
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NBA Best Bets Today – Thursday, January 8
Hornets -3.5 (-110) vs. Pacers
Pacers at Hornets – 7:00 pm ET
This is a brutal scheduling spot for the Hornets. Charlotte lost a tough one against Toronto last night, and the team is now playing the second leg of a back-to-back — and a third game in four nights. However, the Hornets are 16-6 against the spread under Charles Lee when playing on back-to-back days. That leads me to believe that this Charlotte squad is young enough to be somewhat unbothered by the lack of rest. However, even if the Hornets are a little tired, I still believe this is a game they should win.
Over the last 10 games, Charlotte has a net rating of +2.4. Meanwhile, Indiana’s net rating in that same span is -11.5. The Hornets have just been a much better team than the Pacers this year, and they have been even better lately. When LaMelo Ball, Kon Knueppel, and Brandon Miller all play, this Hornets team actually looks like a legitimate playoff team. With that in mind, let’s hope Miller is out there tonight. He sat against the Raptors last night, but Lee implied he could be a go this evening. Before the meeting with Toronto, he said the team is being careful with Miller on back-to-backs. Well, with Miller missing last night’s game, you’d have to think he’ll be out there here.
Even if Miller is out, I still like Charlotte to handle business at home. The Hornets are 11-7 ATS at home this season, while the Pacers are 1-16 SU and 7-10 ATS on the road. I thought this Indiana team would be decent this year, and the team is definitely getting healthier. However, at this point in the year, the players fully realize this is a lost season. That has to sap their energy. Meanwhile, the Hornets are starting to realize they might be a playoff team, which should be rather energizing.
Additional Plays (Teasers, Parlays, Futures)
Kon Knueppel To Win Rookie of the Year (+700) – On November 17, I suggested a play to win 3U on Cooper Flagg to win Rookie of the Year at -115 odds. Well, I now think it makes some sense to grab Knueppel to win at +700, which is available at FanDuel. This sets us up to win 2U if Flagg wins or just about 3.5 if Knueppel wins. While I think we’re trending towards Flagg winning, there’s no denying that Knueppel has been the best rookie thus far — and it really hasn’t been close. That said, let’s lock in a profit in what is a two-man race.
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2025-26 NBA Record: 246-231 (+7.59 units)
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