Oh, what a day it is in the NBA! We've got a full slate on this fine Saturday in January, and our NBA betting experts come bearing six of their very best predictions for the day in our NBA Best Bets today and expert picks for Saturday, January 20.
We've got spread bets galore and a couple of player props to round out your NBA betting card across the board today.
Let's get to the NBA best bets and picks for Saturday.
NBA Best Bets Today | Expert Picks for Saturday
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 7:30 p.m. | |
| 7:30 p.m. | |
  | 7:30 p.m. | |
  | 8 p.m. | |
| 8 p.m. | |
  | 7 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. | ||
Knicks vs. Raptors
RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley are already back, and I'm riding with the Raptors cover in their return.
It's a new look team — and now without Pascal Siakam, too — but they've been competitive, not losing on the road by more than six points since moving OG Anunoby, other than an outlier blowout loss to the Utah Jazz.
The Raptors have been 8-8-1 as a road dog, tied for 10th in the NBA this season, and yes, new look team — but I think this is a spot worth backing them. The Knicks have covered just one of their last three at home and the Raptors will be riding on the emotion of Barrett and Quickley returning.
I think the Knicks should win this, but I'd be surprised if it isn't a clutch game.
Pick: Raptors +7.5
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Knicks vs. Raptors
The Knicks will see some familiar faces on Saturday night with the Toronto Raptors coming to town.
Almost three weeks ago, New York traded RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley and a 2024 second-round pick to Toronto in exchange for OG Anunoby, Precious Achiuwa and Malachi Flynn.
Since the trade, New York has the fourth-best record in the league at 8-3, while Toronto is tied for 21st with a 4-7 mark.
Despite Toronto’s struggle during that span, there are some positive signs, considering that it ranks ninth with an offensive rating of 119.7, whereas the Knicks are 15th in this category with a 117.3 value.
However, it’s on the defensive end of the floor where the Knicks have been able to assert their dominance, evidenced by a 107.3 rating, putting them second in the league since the trade, while the Raptors rank 26th (120.5).
Part of the reason the Knicks coveted Anunoby was his defensive prowess, so clearly, his departure benefits New York.
Though Toronto clearly isn’t as good defensively without Anunoby, I’d expect to see a higher level of effort and intensity for the Raptors—at least for one game.
As a result, I like this spot for the Raptors, especially with my model projecting them closer to 6.5-point underdogs.
Since I’d prefer to have a slightly greater edge with the market at +7.5, I’ll look to take advantage of an alternate line at BetMGM with the Raptors at +8.5, which is slightly juiced to -125.
Pick: Raptors Alt Spread +8.5
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Cavaliers vs. Hawks
There are numerous key reasons to back the road favorite Cleveland Cavaliers in this matchup. The Hawks are on the second leg of a back-to-back and are traveling home after a physical divisional game versus Miami. Former GM and basketball insider John Hollinger noted during the Heat/Hawks game how late the third quarter was starting, and how that would impact the Hawks' travel schedule and next game. The turnaround time is even tighter than normal.
We also have trade rumors swirling around the Hawks team, as well as an illness! Dejounte Murray was posting pictures of the Heat rafters in an effort to be traded, and Trae Young missed the game being sick. The culture and chemistry is likely at an all time low this season, which has already been lackluster and disappointing.
Finally, the Cavaliers are playing great basketball with a simplified pick-and-roll game between Donovan Mitchell and Jarrett Allen. It is very reminiscent of the old Mitchell/Gobert Jazz, which churned out regular season wins. The sharps are lining up on this side — it is likely to move out to -3 or beyond — but the number at -2 still sits below the top 6 most common NBA outcomes, and thus backing the favorite ATS is the best value bet for this game.
Pick: Cavs -2.5
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Thunder vs. Timberwolves
Both teams enter this contest with more or less a clean bill of health, as the only rotation player on either side who may miss is Lou Dort who is questionable with an illness.
The biggest difference here is what both teams have faced recently. The Timberwolves have been home for the last four days and have played the Grizzlies and Pistons in their last two contests. The Thunder are on their fourth consecutive road game, dropped two in LA on a back-to-back to Crypto Arena Combo (Lakers & Clippers), and then had a fourth quarter come from behind victory in elevation against Utah.
This game has the looks of being an intense matchup used as a playoff checkpoint, but the Wolves enter situationally with a large advantage the spread has not properly priced in. I would play this out to -3.5 and am going 1.5x-2x unit exposure. There is also obvious sharp signals and likely more movement coming.
Pick: Wolves -2.5 | Play to -3.5
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Thunder vs. Timberwolves
By Joe Dellera
Jalen Williams has been a DAWG for the Oklahoma City Thunder and honestly has flown under the radar a bit with Shai and Chet grabbing the headlines.
Jalen is averaging 15.7 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game and has seen his efficiency improve on a nightly basis. Over his last 10 games he has averaged 21.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 6.1 assists for 31.9 PRA.
This matchup against the Wolves is a tough one on paper, but he likely has the best matchup with Jaden McDaniels taking on the SGA assignment and KAT isn’t a great matchup for him either.
Jalen has exceeded this line in eight of his last 10 games, and I expect him to do so again tonight in a well rounded effort.
Pick: Jalen Williams Over 24.5 PRA
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Spurs vs. Wizards
By Joe Dellera
The Spurs take on the Wizards, and one player that should be champing at the bit to play tonight is Victor Wembanyama who sat out yesterday’s game against the Hornets.
Victor has been absolutely absurd even on a minutes restriction. He is averaging 23.2 points in just 24.4 minutes over his last 10 games. Now, he gets a spot against a Wizards team who are one of the few teams that plays faster than the Spurs. This game should be ultra-fast Paced with the Wizards playing at the second-fastest and the Spurs at the fourth-fastest Paces in the league.
Wemby is so efficient he doesn’t need much time on the floor to excel. But one factor that has changed to help him is having Tre Jones start alongside him. In those games, Victor is averaging 24.3 points per game and has exceeded this line in 5/6 games.
I like him to do so again tonight and score over 21.5 points against Washington.
Pick: Victor Wembanyama Over 21.5 Points
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