The NBA regular season resumes with a relatively light slate this Tuesday, with a total of only 5 matchups on the docket scheduled for today. However, our staff of basketball betting experts still dug into the latest odds and identified all the best value on the board for tonight.
Our betting experts have looked over the odds and made 6 NBA picks for today's matchups. Continue below for our NBA best bets and predictions for Tuesday, January 21.
NBA Best Bets, Predictions, Picks, Odds: Tuesday, January 21
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 7:30 p.m. | |
  | 10 p.m. | |
| 7:30 p.m. | |
| 10 p.m. | |
  | 10:30 p.m. | |
| 10 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. | ||
Magic vs. Raptors
Orlando is decimated by injuries heading into Tuesday’s contest on the road against the Raptors. The Wagner brothers, Franz (oblique) and Moritz (torn ACL), are both out, along with Jalen Suggs (back) and Goga Bitadze (concussion).
Losing three starters (Franz, Suggs and Bitadze) is a challenge for any team to overcome, let alone one that ranks 29th in offensive efficiency.
With Orlando ranking dead last in points per game (104.2), it’s difficult to see an offensive explosion even against a Raptors team with the second-worst record in the league at 10-32.
However, Toronto has won two of its last three games, including victories over the Warriors and the Celtics.
While I certainly wouldn’t begrudge anyone backing the Raptors as underdogs, we’ve lost some value, considering that the line has already moved two points from +3.5 to +1.5.
But perhaps a better option would simply be to fade the Magic on their team total of 108.5 points.
Orlando has yet to top this number in its last 14 games, and this angle offers some correlation if you like the Raptors in this spot.
It’s not just that Orlando is the second-worst shooting team at 44%; the Magic also play at the slowest pace with 96.77 possessions per game.
Those factors, along with the lengthy injury report, highlight the value of Orlando staying under its team total of 108.5.
Pick: Magic Team Total Under 108.5 (-120)
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76ers vs. Nuggets
By Joe Dellera
The Nuggets face off against the 76ers tonight, who will once again be without Joel Embiid. Denver should not have much difficulty in this matchup given that.
One player I’m targeting is Michael Porter Jr. He has been a bit inconsistent of late, having played just 26.3 minutes per game over his last five outings.
However, this line is too low relative to his typical production.
On the season, he is averaging 18.2 points per game and has scored 15+ in 76% of games this season.
Looking at prior matchups, he’s 4/4 against Philly on this number, averaging 18.8 points per game.
A key factor in his success is that Philly allows above the break 3s at not only a high frequency, but a high percentage as well, and this is the area where MPJ gets the bulk of his shots from.
I’ll back MPJ to have a bit of a bounce back performance here against Philly.
Pick: Michael Porter Jr. Over 14.5 Points (-106)
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Magic vs. Raptors
The Raptors have been strong at home covering 14 of 21 games. They are also 13-5-1 ATS when receiving points on the spread at home.
The injury-ravaged Magic are struggling to score. They are averaging just 97.6 points in their last eight games.
Orlando has shown slippage too, especially on the defensive end, surrendering an average of 118.6 points in its past three games.
I'll take the home underdogs in this spot.
Pick: Raptors +1.5 (-115)
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76ers vs. Nuggets
Jamal Murray has scored 20 or more points in three of his last four, and recorded exactly 19 last time out against the Magic — who are not the Philadelphia 76ers.
Joel Embiid, Caleb Martin, Kyle Lowry, Jared McCain, KJ Martin will all be sidelined for the Sixers tonight. Guerschon Yabusele, Paul George and Andre Drummond are listed as questionable.
Murray has turned his once daunting season around and is averaging 21.3 points per game on 48/40/90 shooting since November 25 — a 24-game sample size.
Throughout that run, he has tallied 14 games of 20 or more points.
Pick: Jamal Murray Over 19.5 Points (-110)
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Wizards vs. Lakers
By Zack Cimini
I'm jumping in early on this one, as I believe this line will only go down.
The Wizards may have the fewest wins in the NBA, but it's resulted in bloated spreads.
They've covered in three of their last four, including Jordan Poole facing his old team in a matchup against the Warriors.
That is in play with Kyle Kuzma here tonight, and the biggest angle is Anthony Davis questionable with a calf issue.
There's a good chance we may see AD rest against the lowly Wizards. Grab as many points as you can with the underdogs.
Pick: Wizards +13.5 (-110)
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76ers vs. Nuggets
I don't know if we can buy any lower on Philly than right now.
The 76ers have lost six in a row and failed to cover in their last eight games. Joel Embiid is once again out.
Maybe the 76ers get back Paul George, Andre Drummond and Guerschon Yabusele. But even if they don't, I'm going to take the big number with the Sixers knowing they'll have Tyrese Maxey and likely catching the Nuggets in a flat spot.
Denver is fat and happy after sweeping a two-game Florida road trip beating the Heat and then Magic two days ago. This is just the Nuggets' second home game in 10 days.
I doubt they'll have their full concentration and motivation tonight.
Pick: 76ers +13.5 (-110)
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