The following NBA betting trends are a collection of analytical data, betting systems and strength ratings featured on VSiN and qualified for the NBA games of Monday, January 26, 2026. This report is meant to emulate the process that Steve Makinen and other members of the VSiN Analytics team undergo when handicapping each day’s NBA board.

AJ’s Angles

These are the top NBA betting trends and systems for today’s games, handpicked by VSiN Analyst AJ Makinen. 

* Over the total is on an extended 16-3 run in the Pacers-Hawks series
Trend Match (PLAY OVER): IND-ATL (o/u at 233.5) 

* NBA teams playing at home in 2 Days Rest scenario were 24-4 Over the total vs. teams in 3rd in 8+ Days games since the start of last season
Systems Match (PLAY OVER): MEM-HOU (o/u at 223.5) 

* NBA teams that committed 20+ turnovers in the previous game have done well in expected-tight matchups (within -4 to +4 line range) in the follow-up game, going 87-59 SU and 90-55-1 ATS (62.1%) in their last 146 tries.
System Match (PLAY): CHARLOTTE (-2.5 vs PHI) 

Schedule Situations Crucial for NBA Handicapping

The following is an expanded version of the article published in this year’s VSiN NBA Betting Guide, detailing scheduling situations in which teams have shown definitive patterns over the last few seasons. Typically, there are reasons that teams perform at varying levels based upon their schedules, whether that be from the amount of rest they’ve gotten before a game, how fatigued they are from a string of games, or how they deal with injuries/workloads based upon the schedule pressures. 

* NBA teams playing at home in 2 Days Rest scenario were 49-24 Over the total vs. teams in 3rd Straight Road games since start of last season
System Match (PLAY OVER): IND-ATL (o/u at 233.5) 

* CHARLOTTE is 145-107 Under the total playing in the One Day Rest scenario since March 2021
* PHILADELPHIA is 22-6 Over the total playing on the road in One Day Rest games since November 2024
Trends Match: 1 PLAY OVER, 1 PLAY UNDER in PHI-CHA (o/u at 228.5) 

* ORLANDO is 115-83 Under the total playing in all One Day Rest games since March 2022
Trend Match (PLAY UNDER): ORL-CLE (o/u at 227.5) 

* NBA teams playing in 2 Days Rest scenario were 43-26 Over the total vs. teams in 3rd in 8+ Days games since start of last season
* NBA teams playing at home in 2 Days Rest scenario were 24-4 Over the total vs. teams in 3rd in 8+ Days games since start of last season
Systems Match (PLAY OVER): MEM-HOU (o/u at 223.5) 

* NBA teams playing at home in One Day Rest scenario were 98-69 Over the total vs. teams in 4th Straight Road games since the start of last Season
System Match (PLAY OVER): LAL-CHI (o/u at 234.5) 

Here are the top head-to-head series NBA betting trends in play for all of today’s games:

(515) ORLANDO at (516) CLEVELAND
* CLEVELAND is 4-1 SU and ATS versus Orlando, dating back to Game 7 of their 2024 Eastern Conference first-round matchup
Trend Match (PLAY): CLEVELAND (-5.5 vs ORL) 

(517) PHILADELPHIA at (518) CHARLOTTE
* Road teams are 2-3 SU but 5-0 ATS in the five meetings between Philadelphia and Charlotte since the start of last season
Trend Match (PLAY): PHILADELPHIA (+2.5 at CHA) 

(519) INDIANA at (520) ATLANTA
* Over the total is on an extended 16-3 run in the IND-ATL series
Trend Match (PLAY OVER): IND-ATL (o/u at 233.5) 

(521) MEMPHIS at (522) HOUSTON
* Over the total is 5-1 in the last six of the Grizzlies-Rockets divisional set
Trend Match (PLAY OVER): MEM-HOU (o/u at 223.5) 

(523) LA LAKERS at (524) CHICAGO
* Over the total is 10-2 in the last 12 of the Lakers-Bulls non-conference series
Trend Match (PLAY OVER): LAL-CHI (o/u at 234.5) 

(525) PORTLAND at (526) BOSTON
* BOSTON is on a 6-1 SU and ATS surge versus Portland, but did lose earlier this season (12/28/25)
Trend Match (PLAY): BOSTON (-8.5 vs POR) 

NBA Team Strength Systems

The following handicapping information details betting systems for teams based on various team strength indicators or line scenarios. Unless noted, these are from the last five NBA seasons. 

NBA Team Strength Betting System #7:
Double-digit NBA games have produced some definitive results on totals over the lst five seasons, dependent upon what type of matchup it was. In divisional games featuring double-digit lines, Under the total has gone 132-105 (55.7%). In non-conference games, Over the total was 245-204 (54.6%). And finally, in non-divisional conference games, Over the total was 328-260 (55.8%).
System Match (PLAY): UNDER – MEM-HOU (spread -10.5, total 223.5)

The following handicapping information details betting systems for divisional games.

Western Southwest Division Betting System #1:
In Western Southwest divisional games, favorites of 3.5 points or more are on a 45-14 SU and 35-24 ATS (59.3%) run since mid-February 2024.
System Match (PLAY): HOUSTON (-9.5 vs MEM) 

NBA Extreme Stats Next Game Systems

These systems search for extreme statistical performances in NBA games and detail the results of the follow-up game for the teams. These systems are from the last five seasons unless noted. 

Teams losing despite scoring well are dangerous
NBA teams coming off back-to-back losses in which they scored 115+ points offensively have bounced back extremely well in the next outing when installed as underdogs, going 109-68-1 ATS (61.6%) since the start of the 2018-2019 season.
System Match (PLAY): MEMPHIS (+10.5 at HOU)

Favorites flush low-scoring totals quickly
NBA teams that come off a game in which they scored 90 points or fewer have responded well when favored in the next outing, going 156-58 SU and 126-86-2 ATS (59.4%) in their L214 tries.
System Match (PLAY): MINNESOTA (-7.5 vs GSW)

Upset wins over conference opponents lead to next game stumbles versus non-conference opponents
NBA teams coming off an upset win over an intra-conference foe have had problems when facing a non-conference opponent in the next game, going just 171-211 SU and 165-213-4 ATS (43.7%) since late-January 2021.
System Match (FADE): CHICAGO (+1.5 vs LAL) 

Unusual shooting performance systems
NBA teams that have made 50% or more of their 3PT field goal attempts in a contest have responded the next time out by going just 332-345 SU and 306-363-8 ATS (45.7%) in the next game over the last five seasons.
System Match (FADE): ATLANTA (-5.5 vs IND) 

High TO games can be significant
NBA teams that committed 20+ turnovers in the previous game have done well in expected-tight matchups (within -4 to +4 line range) in the follow-up game, going 87-59 SU and 90-55-1 ATS (62.1%) in their last 146 tries.
System Match (PLAY): CHARLOTTE (-2.5 vs PHI)

NBA Streak Systems

The following handicapping information details betting systems for teams on winning or losing streaks of at least four games in the NBA.

NBA Streak Betting System #10:
Teams having lost their last four games or more have been a solid wager when they are a capable offensive team, as those scoring 114 PPG or more are on a 105-112 SU but 125-90-3 ATS (58.1%) surge.
System Match (PLAY): MINNESOTA (-7.5 vs GSW)

Strategies Using NBA DraftKings Betting Splits Data

One of the most touted features on the VSiN.com website, and a feature that we believe to be a fantastic resource for bettors, is the betting splits pages. These are the pages that we have built utilizing the data that DraftKings so graciously provides to us, detailing the breakdowns of the money and ticket splits for point spreads, money lines, and totals. 

In an article published on the VSiN.com website on opening day, Steve Makinen outlined 14 different systematic strategies for successfully using the DK Betting Splits Data that were developed in the last three seasons. Here are the systems and qualifying plays for today’s games as of 11:00 a.m. ET. These can and will change, so continue to track and qualify the systems up until tip-off for best usage. 

To summarize the findings from the first half data of the 2025-26 season, the sample contained 633 games, and for the most part, majority bettors have lost on all six point spread, money line, and total categories. In fact, this has been the worst half-season they have endured since I started studying this subject a few years ago. Here are the results: 

– Majority handle on point spreads: 291-335 ATS (46.5%), -77.5 units – ROI: -12.4%
– Majority number of bets on point spreads: 287-323 ATS (47%), -68.3 units – ROI: -11.2%
– Majority handle on money lines: 379-247 (60.5%). -123.2 units – ROI: -20.2%
– Majority number of bets on money lines: 404-227 (64%). -113.7 units – ROI: -18%
– Majority handle on totals: 306-310 (49.7%). -35 units – ROI: -5.7%
– Majority number of bets on totals: 307-318 (49.1%), -42.8 units – ROI: -6.8% 

DK NBA Betting Splits system #2: When 59% or more of the handle has been on the road side of an ATS wager, this “super” majority group has gone 868-785 ATS (52.5%) over the last 3+ seasons. This has produced a profit of +4.5 units and an ROI of 0.3%. This has been a very consistent system since I first found it, and for its simplicity, fairly successful. However, it is down over 20 units so far in 2025-26, so perhaps tread lightly. Even still, remember that handle is the total amount of money on a game and is generally considered sharper. When a good portion of the overall money is on a road team in the NBA, it wins more often than not.
System Match (SLIGHT PLAY): LA LAKERS 

DK NBA Betting Splits system #4: In another somewhat rare situation but when there was a majority handle backing the team with fewer wins on the season in the NBA over the last 3+ seasons, that group produced a 456-412 ATS record (52.5%), good for +2.8 units of profit and an ROI of 0.3%. This is another system that has dropped a bit this season but has still outperformed the normal levels by a decent amount. We’ll see if it can stay positive in the second half of the season.
System Match (SLIGHT PLAY): PORTLAND 

DK NBA Betting Splits system #6: In NBA non-Conference games (East versus West) of the last 3+ seasons, DK super majority handle groups of 62% or greater have been mildly successful, as they are 461-417 ATS (52.5%). If you consider that the overall majority numbers showed just over a 50% success rate, they were about 2.5% improved on these more-rare contests. This simple angle has produced +2.3 units of profit and an ROI of 0.3%.
System Match (SLIGHT PLAY): LA LAKERS 

DK NBA Betting Splits system #7: The number 63% or higher has been a key super-majority number in non-divisional conference games over the last 3+ seasons, with handle groups of that size boasting a 579-508 ATS record, good for 54.2%. This is over a 4% improvement on the overall majority figures and has netted +20.2 units of profit and an ROI of 1.9%.
System Matches (PLAY ALL): ATLANTA, MINNESOTA 

DK NBA Betting Splits system #9: There has been a massive disparity of success levels for majority groups on handle when they back the home or road team on money line wagers. On home teams, these majorities have gone 1454-663 over the last 3+ seasons but for -277.83 units and an ROI of -13.1%. On road teams, these majorities have gone 1113-757 but for -72.73 units and an ROI of -3.9%. This 9.2% disparity warrants outright fading ML majorities on home teams until something definitively changes.
System Matches (FADE ALL): ATLANTA ML, CLEVELAND ML, HOUSTON ML, BOSTON ML 

DK NBA Betting Splits system #11: One of the best, simplest, and most frequent angles I have been able to uncover is when a majority of handle bettors were backing the Under in an NBA game. It is generally believed that most NBA bettors prefer taking Overs. When any majority number have favored the Under option over the last 3+ seasons, the results have been strong, with Under the total on these games going 484-393, good for 55.2%, +51.7 units, and an ROI of +5.9% since January 2023.
System Matches (PLAY UNDER ALL): LAL-CHI, GSW-MIN 

DK NBA Betting Splits system #12: There has been some decent success for number of bets majorities when they don’t get too heavily invested. In fact, majorities on either side of the total (Over or Under) of 57% or less have gone 409-367 (52.7%) for +5.3 units and an ROI of +0.7% since January 2023.
System Match (PLAY): UNDER – LAL-CHI, GSW-MIN

Today’s NBA Strength Ratings

The following NBA betting trends are taken from today’s MAKINEN DAILY RATINGS page under the NBA tab on VSiN.com. Listed by team, current line, and difference between rating and current line (in parentheses). 

Today’s UNDERPRICED UNDERDOGS according to the Makinen POWER RATINGS projections:
Ratings Matches: 1. GOLDEN STATE +7.5 (+3.5)
2. CHICAGO +1.5 (+2.1)
3. INDIANA +5.5 (+0.1) 

Today’s Top 3 UNDERPRICED FAVORITES according to the Makinen POWER RATINGS projections:
Ratings Matches: 1. HOUSTON -10.5 (+3.2)
2. CHARLOTTE -2.5 (+2.4)
3. CLEVELAND -5.5 (+0.5) 

Today’s Top 3 UNDERPRICED UNDERDOGS according to the Makinen EFFECTIVE STRENGTH RATINGS projections:
Ratings Matches: 1. GOLDEN STATE +7.5 (+3.1)
2. CHICAGO +1.5 (+1.7)
3. PHILADELPHIA +2.5 (+1.2) 

Today’s Top 3 BIGGEST TOTAL PROJECTIONS FAVORING OVER according to the Makinen EFFECTIVE STRENGTH RATINGS projections:
Ratings Matches: 1. LAL-CHI OVER 234.5 (+2.3)
2. MEM-HOU OVER 223.5 (+1.6)
3. IND-ATL OVER 233.5 (+1.4) 

Today’s TOTAL PROJECTION FAVORING UNDER according to the Makinen EFFECTIVE STRENGTH RATINGS projections:
Ratings Match: PHI-CHA UNDER 228.5 (-0.8) 

Today’s UNDERPRICED UNDERDOGS according to the Makinen BETTORS RATINGS projections:
Ratings Matches: 1. GOLDEN STATE +7.5 (+3.7)
2(tie). INDIANA +5.5 (+0.6)
CHICAGO +1.5 (+0.6) 

Today’s Top 3 UNDERPRICED FAVORITES according to the Makinen BETTORS RATINGS projections:
Ratings Matches: 1. HOUSTON -10.5 (+3.2)
2. CHARLOTTE -2.5 (+0.8)
3. CLEVELAND -5.5 (+0.5) 

Today’s Top 3 BIGGEST TOTAL PROJECTIONS FAVORING OVER according to the Makinen BETTORS RATINGS projections:
Ratings Matches: 1. GSW-MIN OVER 231.5 (+4.1)
2. MEM-HOU OVER 223.5 (+3.5)
3. LAL-CHI OVER 234.5 (+3.0) 

Today’s TOTAL PROJECTION FAVORING UNDER according to the Makinen BETTORS RATINGS projections:
Ratings Match: ORL-CLE UNDER 227.5 (-0.6)

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