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 Sunday, January 18.
RELATED: Check out the Pro Picks page for more selections from our talented VSiN hosts and analysts!
NBA Best Bets Today (Sides/Totals)
Nets +7.5 (-130) vs. Bulls
Nets at Bulls – 7:00 pm ET
I had the Nets to beat the Bulls in Brooklyn the other day. That game got a little too close for comfort, but Jordi Fernandez’s team was able to pull through. Now, a couple of days later, the two are set to meet in Chicago. And while I wouldn’t be shocked if the Bulls get some revenge, I don’t see it coming in convincing fashion.
As I wrote the other day, Brooklyn has been a better team than Chicago since the start of December. The Nets have an Efficiency Differential of +0.1 in non-garbage minutes since December 1, which is a bit better than the Bulls’ -3.1. Also, while Chicago doesn’t excel on either end of the floor, Brooklyn is undoubtedly a rock-solid defensive team.
The Nets are also 33-22-1 against the spread as road underdogs under Fernandez. And while Billy Donovan is a great coach, the Bulls have a losing record both straight-up and ATS when facing teams they lost to earlier in the season.
Kings ML (-120 – 2 units) vs. Trail Blazers
Blazers at Kings – 9:00 pm ET
The Blazers are coming off a game against the Lakers on Saturday, so this is the second leg of a back-to-back and a third game in four days for them. They’re also facing a Kings team that had Saturday off, and Sacramento is playing some good ball. The Kings have won each of their last four games, and they actually won all of them by double digits. That’s especially impressive considering they faced the Rockets, Knicks, and Lakers in that span.
The Kings are just playing well right now, and they’re not the type of team to look to tank. So, with their veteran group, they’re looking to compete every single night. Well, in a meeting with a very beatable opponent, I expect Sacramento to handle its business at home. That’s especially true with Portland being a little banged up.
NBA Player Props Today
Anthony Black Over 16.5 Points (-105) vs. Grizzlies
Magic vs. Grizzlies – 12:00 pm ET (London)
I had Black to go Over 15.5 points against the Grizzlies in Germany, as I liked his chances of performing at a high level without Jalen Suggs on the floor. Black ended up scoring 21 points in that game, going Over the number pretty easily. Now, I don’t see any reason to go away from Black, even with the number being a point higher.
Suggs is going to miss this game for Orlando, meaning Black will have a big on-ball role again. He’s averaging 19.8 points per game in the games he has played without Suggs this year, and I continue to believe this is a good matchup for him. The Grizzlies don’t defend above-the-break 3s well, and Black has improved big time as a shooter. He’s also capable of scoring in other ways, as he’s good in transition and can get himself to the basket rather easily.
Saddiq Bey Over 12.5 Points (-118) vs. Rockets
Rockets at Pelicans – 7:00 pm ET
Bey has had at least 13 points in 18 of the last 22 games, and he’s also averaging 18.0 points per game in that span. He has just been really consistent as a scorer for this Pelicans team, even as the players around him have shuffled in and out of the lineup. Now, Bey will have to go to work against a good defensive team, as the Rockets are a top-10 team in the league in pretty much every defensive metric. However, Bey did have 29 points against Houston back on December 18, so he has already shown us he can take advantage of this matchup. Bey is also averaging 18.5 points per game over his last 15 home games.
2025-26 NBA Record: 270-247 (+14.62 units)
