The 2024-25 NBA season is in full swing. I’ll be giving out NBA best bets and player props here as often as possible, and I’ll also occasionally write up features on big news that shakes up the league. So, make sure you check out my work throughout the season. With that out of the way, let’s get into some NBA best bets and NBA player props for Monday, January 20th. Also, make sure you check out the picks page (linked right below) before games tip off. I occasionally add picks throughout the day.
MORE: Check out our Pro Picks page for everything our experts have on January 20th
NBA Best Bets Today – January 20th
Phoenix Suns at Cleveland Cavaliers – 3:30 pm ET
The Suns haven’t completely figured everything out yet, and they’re still working the phones to try and acquire Jimmy Butler from the Heat. But Phoenix looked a heck of a lot better with Nick Richards in the lineup on Saturday. Having an active rebounder and a vertical pick-and-roll threat is a nice change for the team. The Suns now have some legitimate athletes in their best five-man unit, which looks like Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, Richards, Ryan Dunn and then one of the off-ball guards/wings. That last piece will probably be Bradley Beal for as long as he’s on the team, and he’s questionable for today’s game. But either way, the Suns should be a lot better defensively with this new group, and there’s a lot more energy. Also, for as bad as things look for Phoenix this season, the team is 19-7 when Booker and Durant play together. Health has been the main concern for the team all year, but it definitely looks like things are getting a little better there.
Of course, facing the Cavaliers is going to be a challenge. But it helps that Evan Mobley and Isaac Okoro are out for Cleveland. With no Mobley, Cleveland is going to just fill up the minutes with spot-up shooters. The Cavaliers lit up the Timberwolves that way, so they’ll feel good about doing it to the Suns. However, when there’s no Mobley, it’s hard to say Cleveland has more talent than Phoenix. Also, the Suns’ lack of size becomes less glaring. That said, this will just come down to whether or not Phoenix can make enough shots to win this game. But the Suns have scored a total of 255 points over the last two games, and they have scored at least 120 in four of their last six. They’re quietly putting some things together, as they have won six of their last eight.
By the way, Devin Booker is on an absolute heater right now. He’s averaging 28.9 points, 7.3 assists, 4.9 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game in January. He has also scored at least 30 points in five straight and six of his last seven. He’s going to be extremely aggressive from the jump, and it’s hard to imagine him not taking this game very seriously. He’ll be out to prove he’s the best guard on the floor.
This is a game that Phoenix should really be able to keep close, and I think the Suns are also worthy of a moneyline sprinkle.
Bet: Suns +7.5 (-105 – 1.5 units) & Suns ML (+240 – 0.5 units)
NBA Player Props Today – January 20th
Minnesota Timberwolves at Memphis Grizzlies – 2:30 pm ET
I have been taking Anthony Edwards to go Over 3.5 made 3s a lot lately, and I really see no reason to stop until it’s no longer out there at plus-money odds. Our VSiN NBA prop analyzer shows that Edwards has gone Over 3.5 in 30 of the 42 games he has played this year. It has been one of the most profitable NBA player props throughout the entire 2024-25 NBA season. Edwards is also scorching hot lately. He has made at least four 3s in four straight games and eight of his last nine. I don’t see that changing here, even if he did go 0 for 5 the last time he faced Memphis. I know the Grizzlies defend the 3-point line like animals, but Edwards is going to flirt with taking 10 triples. He simply has to with Donte DiVincenzo out. And if he does get up that kind of volume, he’s a threat to nail four. As a 42.9% shooter, that’s the math.
Bet: Edwards Over 3.5 Made 3s (+105)
Atlanta Hawks at New York Knicks – 3:00 pm ET
Another play that the VSiN NBA prop analyzer has me looking at is Dyson Daniels’ Over on combined points, rebounds and assists. The number for today’s game is 19.5, and Daniels has gone Over that in 24 of the 37 games he has played this year. Daniels is playing some really good ball in January, averaging 14.0 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game. He’s also coming off a game in which he had 23 points, four rebounds and four assists against the Celtics. The talented wing runs somewhat hot and cold when it comes to creating offense, but he’s definitely feeling it a little lately. And he’s putting up good numbers despite the fact that he’s shooting horribly from 3 (27.6% this month). Well, I like him to make some plays in transition, while also being a threat attacking the basket. And if he can knock down a few triples, that’s just gravy. We know he’s going to pitch in with the little things.
I will note that this matchup has been awful for Daniels this year, as he’s averaging jus t7.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game in two meetings with New York this year. But the Knicks aren’t playing all that well lately. They have lost six of their last nine games, and their defense has been a problem. Daniels should find that the third time is the charm against this squad.
Bet: Daniels Over 19.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists (-115 – 1.5 units)
Additional Plays
This is where I’ll include any late added plays, teasers/parlays or in-season futures. Come back before tip if you don’t want to miss anything. It’s always possible I’ll add something to my card.
PARLAY: Hornets Alt Spread +10.5 vs. Mavericks & Rockets ML vs. Pistons (-123 – 1.5 units)
PARLAY: Timberwolves Alt Spread +10.5 vs. Grizzlies & Celtics ML vs. Warriors (-132 – 1.5 units)
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2024-25 NBA Record: 183-184-1 (-5.65 units)
