NBA Best Bets Today | Expert Picks For Monday, Jan. 1

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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – DECEMBER 30: Tyrese Haliburton #0 of the Indiana Pacers dribbles the ball in the 140-126 win against the New York Knicks at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on December 30, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

NBA Best Bets Today | Expert Picks for Monday, Jan. 1

The NBA has a loaded slate of New Year's Day action on Monday, January 1. Our betting experts have analyzed the odds and locked in a trio of best bets for three of today's matchups.

Find their NBA best bets and expert picks below, including selections for Timberwolves vs. Knicks, Pacers vs. Bucks and Hornets vs. Nuggets.

GameTime (ET)Pick
Minnesota Timberwolves LogoNew York Knicks Logo
3:00 p.m.
Indiana Pacers LogoMilwaukee Bucks Logo
8:00 p.m.
Charlotte Hornets LogoDenver Nuggets Logo
9:00 p.m
Specific betting recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our NBA Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game.

Timberwolves vs. Knicks

Minnesota Timberwolves Logo
Monday, Jan. 1
3:00 p.m. ET
NBA TV
New York Knicks Logo
Karl-Anthony Towns Over 19.5 Points (-120)
BetMGM Logo

By Bryan Fonseca

KAT hasn't gone under 20 points in four straight games this season, and he's due for a good one against his future te– I mean, the New York Knicks.

Towns' volume is down in his last three games, averaging about 10 shots per game, and is mounting just 12.7 points per game.

But we all know that isn't built to last. Towns is a walking 20-10 guy in general, and the only other time he went under 20 in three straight this season, he followed with 21, and then his first of a stretch of 20-plus points in 10 of 11 games.

Pick: Karl-Anthony Towns Over 19.5 Points (-120)


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Pacers vs. Bucks

Indiana Pacers Logo
Monday, Jan. 1
8:00 p.m. ET
NBA League Pass
Milwaukee Bucks Logo
Tyrese Haliburton Over 29.5 Points + Rebounds (-115)
bet365 Logo

By Joe Dellera

New year, same Bucks defensive woes. We get another plus matchup for Tyrese Haliburton on New Years Day.

Haliburton has destroyed the Bucks this season and averaged 26 points, 6 rebounds, and 10.7 assists per game in three starts. I’m targeting his points + rebounds prop considering his averages against the Bucks in both categories are upticks from his 24.6 points and 4.0 rebounds he averages on the season.

I’m foregoing the assists because he is actually averaging 2.1 fewer assists per game against the Bucks than his full-season numbers.

He has exceeded this line in two of three outings vs. Milwaukee this season averaging 32 per contest. I’ll take him to start the new year off right and go over this 29.5 points + rebounds line.

Pick: Tyrese Haliburton Over 29.5 Points + Rebounds (-115)


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Hornets vs. Nuggets

Charlotte Hornets Logo
Monday, Jan. 1
9:00 p.m ET
NBA League Pass
Denver Nuggets Logo
Nikola Jokic Over 12.5 Rebounds (-130)
Caesars Sportsbook Logo

By Joe Dellera

This should be 13.5 given his recent history against the Hornets. He has recorded 27, 16, and 10 rebounds against them and the 10 was an odd game where Jamal Murray grabbed a whopping 12 boards himself.

The Hornets likely continue to be without Mark Williams (doubtful – back) and this leaves just Nick Richards as the primary line of defense. Richards has been solid and in his last 10 without Williams he is averaging 8.1 rebounds on 16.1 chances; however, compared to Jokic he does not haul in nearly as high of a percentage of those chances. Williams is at 50.3% compared to Jokic at 63.9%.

Jokic dominates on the glass and should easily clear this 12.5 line tonight.

Pick: Nikola Jokic Over 12.5 Rebounds (-130)



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