Now that the weekend is here, it’s time to simplify the grind. Instead of splitting sides/totals and player props into separate pieces, my weekend columns will bring everything under one roof — a streamlined look at my favorite bets for the day’s slate. Fewer words, hopefully the same results. Keep reading for my NBA picks and predictions for Saturday, January 10.
RELATED: Check out the Pro Picks page for more selections from our talented VSiN hosts and analysts!
NBA Best Bets Today (Sides/Totals)
Cavaliers ML (-140) vs. Timberwolves
Timberwolves at Cavaliers – 1:00 pm ET
This is a good zig-zag spot for the Cavaliers, who got beat up by this Timberwolves team on Thursday. That game was played in Minnesota, where Cleveland really never got going. With this game being played in Rocket Arena, I expect the Cavaliers to look a lot sharper. And honestly, this is a matchup they really should enjoy. While Anthony Edwards is a tremendous player, Minnesota doesn’t have the overall firepower that Cleveland has in the backcourt. That’s what comes with having both Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell, while the Wolves are thin at the point guard spot. I also like the Cavaliers big man duo to do well inside against Rudy Gobert.
Cleveland is also 49-16 straight-up when playing as home favorites under Kenny Atkinson. Meanwhile, Minnesota is 53-78 SU as a road underdog under Chris Finch.
NBA Player Props Today
Davion Mitchell Over 6.5 Assists (-118) vs. Pacers
Heat at Pacers – 7:00 pm ET
Mitchell has played five games this year in which he has had both Norman Powell and Tyler Herro out there with him. In those games, Miami’s lead guard is averaging 9.8 assists per game. He has also had at least nine dimes in all five of the games. With that in mind, I like the idea of taking Mitchell to have at least seven tonight. He’s facing a Pacers team that is just 21st in the NBA in adjusted defensive rating (116.5), while also being 11th in pace of play (101.5). That said, this is a game that should be played at a rapid pace, as the Heat are No. 1 in the league in tempo (105.1). Well, in an up-and-down game in which one of the teams isn’t great at playing defense, Mitchell should be able to find a way to impact the game as a passer.
Naji Marshall Over 16.5 Points (-119) vs. Bulls
Mavericks at Bulls – 8:00 pm ET
I have been on Marshall’s point totals a bunch lately, as he’s doing a good job of stepping up while Dallas deals with injuries. Well, we just found out that Anthony Davis tore a ligament in his hand, and P.J. Washington is out tonight. In the two games that Marshall has played without both of them, he’s averaging 23.0 points per game. He’s just going to have a much bigger role with this team, and the matchup tonight is excellent. The Bulls can’t protect the rim, where Marshall scores 39% of his points. They’re also weak within 10 feet of the basket, in general. That’s another area Marshall likes. On top of that, this is another game that should be played at a fast pace. That should mean good things for Marshall, who is solid in transition and dangerous going to the cup.
Kyle Filipowski Over 23.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists (-120) vs. Hornets
Hornets at Jazz – 9:30 pm ET
The Jazz won’t have Lauri Markkanen this evening, meaning they’ll be thin in the frontcourt with Walker Kessler already out for the year. Jusuf Nurkic is also questionable for Utah, adding to the question marks inside. Well, somebody is going to have to step up with all of these absences. I think it’ll be Filipowski, who averages 23.2 points, rebounds, and assists when playing without Markkanen and Kessler. And he could be relied on even more if Nurkic misses this one. Filipowski is a threat to knock down jumpers, he’s relatively good attacking the basket, and he is always a threat to make an impact on the glass. He’s also not a terrible playmaker, which is why I’m roping assists in with everything else. I also like the matchup tonight. Charlotte isn’t very good defensively.
Additional Plays (Late Adds, Parlays, Teasers)
PARLAY: Clippers Alt +10.5 vs. Pistons & Celtics Alt +7.5 vs. Spurs (-118)
Suns To Win Pacific Division (+375 – 1.5 units) – I took the Lakers to win the division earlier in the year at -200 odds, but it’s starting to look like the Suns are going to be the ones that finish on top. Phoenix is just a better all-around basketball team than Los Angeles, and the Suns are only going to get better when Jalen Green gets thrown into the mix. So, with the Lakers struggling, I’m setting up a situation where I win 0.5 units if Los Angeles wins or 1.62 units if Phoenix wins. Let’s just hope the Warriors and Clippers don’t turn things up significantly. If one of them wins, it’ll be a bit of a bloodbath for me.
2025-26 NBA Record: 251-232 (+11.99 units)
