NBA Daily Best Bets for Thursday Jan. 8
Summary
Tonight’s NBA slate features several key matchups. The Indiana Pacers, despite a 13-game losing streak, are a recommended bet against the Charlotte Hornets due to recent competitive play and Charlotte’s back-to-back schedule. Meanwhile, the Miami Heat, well-rested, are favored to cover against a tired Chicago Bulls team dealing with injuries.
In other games, the Minnesota Timberwolves are picked to cover at home against the Cleveland Cavaliers, who struggle against the spread. The final game between the Dallas Mavericks and Utah Jazz is expected to be high-scoring, with the over on the point total being the highlighted wager.
Indiana Pacers vs Charlotte Hornets 7:00 p.m. EST
| Spread | ML | Total | |
| Pacers | +3.5 (-110) | +138 | O232 (-110) |
| Hornets | -3.5 (-110) | -158 | U232(-110) |
Indiana Pacers(6-31)
The Pacers have lost 13 straight games and have the worst record in the NBA. They average 110.8 PPG, third worst in the league, while allowing 119.7 PPG, 7th from the bottom. Pascal Siakim continues to be the lone bright spot, averaging 23.7 PPG and 6.6 rebounds. After four blowout losses, Indiana has kept games closer in the last five, going 3-2 ATS. Â
Charlotte Hornets (13-24)
The Hornets had their 2 game winning streak stalled by the Raptors on Wednesday on a buzzer-beater. Brandon Miller sat out last night but is expected to return to the lineup tonight. LaMelo Ball is the most consistent player (19.7 PPG, 5.0 REB, 7.9 A) while Miles Bridges and Miller average 20.1 PPG.
Recent Betting Trends
The Pacers are 18-19 ATS this season and 7-9 ATS as road underdogs.
The Hornets are 22-15 ATS, third best overall.
Charlotte is 14-9 following a loss.
Prediction
Despite their losing streak, the Pacers have played well in the last 5 games, keeping them close until the fourth. This may be a great spot for them, as the Hornets played the night before. Indiana’s chances to get a win won’t get any better than in this spot. BEST BET: Pacers ML
Miami Heat vs Chicago Bulls 8:00 p.m. EST
| Spread | ML | Total | |
| Heat | -7.5 (-110) | –265 | O237.5 (-110) |
| Bulls | +7.5 (-110) | +219 | U237.5 (-110) |
Miami Heat (20-17)
The Heat got torched by the Timberwolves on Tuesday, 122-94, and continues their road trip in Chicago. Norman Powell scored 21 vs Minnesota before sitting out most of the fourth. Miami saw the return of Tyler Herro after a month, as he played 29 minutes and scored 17 points. The Heat rested some of their starters in that game and should be ready against the Bulls.
Chicago Bulls (17-19)*
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A tough 24 hours for the Bulls as they played and lost to the Pistons last night and now face the Heat at home. Ayo Dosunmu had 24 points while Nikola Vucevic added 20 points and 16 rebounds, and Matas Buzelis also had 20 points as the Bulls have lost three straight. Injuries continue to add up as Josh Giddey, Zach Collins, and Jalen Smith, who was hurt on Wednesday, are all out with injuries.Â
Prediction
Miami has the edge as they rested on Wednesday night. While the Heat are just 7-11 on the road, Chicago is just above .500 at home, 10-9.  The Heat find a way to cover away from home, going 10-8 ATS. They should take advantage of a tired Bulls team. BEST BET: Heat -7.5
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Minnesota Timberwolves 8:00 p.m. EST
| Spread | ML | Total | |
| Cavs | +2 (-110) | +115 | O239 (-110) |
| T-wolves | -2 (-110) | -135 | U239 (-110) |
Cleveland Cavaliers(21-17)
The Cavaliers have won four of the last five games, with the only loss coming against the East leaders, the Pistons. Donovan Mitchell leads the team with 29.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 1.5 steals (ninth in the NBA). Big man Evan Mobley leads the team with 8.8 rebounds while averaging 1.8 blocked shots (fourth in the NBA).
Minnesota Timberwolves (24-13)
The Timberwolves have won three straight, and Anthony Edwards has led the way, averaging 31.3 PPG in that stretch. Rudy Gobert is contributing with nightly double-doubles, 11.3 points, and 11.2 rebounds while shooting 72% from the field, tops in the NBA. Minnesota is sixth in free throw attempts (26.8), which could be a difference maker late in the game.
Recent Betting Trends
The Cavaliers are 12-26 ATS,the worst in the NBA this season.
Cleveland is 17-21 on the OVER (45%).
The Timberwolves are 16-21 ATS, and 6-4 ATS in the last ten games.
Minnesota is 8-11 ATS at home, one of the worst records in the NBA.
Prediction
The T-wolves are 7-3 in the last ten and covered in six of those wins. Cleveland just has trouble covering games, especially on the road, just 6-10 ATS. You have to take Minny here as they are a dominant 13-6 on home court and should be able to put the Cavs away late. BEST BET: Timberwolves -2.
Dallas Mavericks vs Utah Jazz 9:00 p.m. EST
| Spread | ML | Total | |
| Mavs | -7 (-110) | -245 | O240 (-110) |
| Jazz | +7 (-110) | +203 | U240 (-110) |
Dallas Mavericks (20-10)
Dallas has won two in a row, albeit against the Kings and the Rockets. Anthony Davis is back and comes off two big rebounding games, 16 vs Sacramento and 12 vs Houston. Cooper Flagg remains the team’s leading scorer (18.9) while PJ Washington has been cleaning up on the glass (7.4). But the Mavs have only scored 110 or fewer in the last three games.
Utah Jazz (12-23)
The Jazz have lost 4 straight and are 2-8 in the last ten, but they are always involved in high scoring games. Utah is No. 6 in scoring (119.6) but dead last in allowing points (127). They allow the second most field goals made (49.2%) and the second most three-point attempts (41.3).
Recent Betting Trends
Utah 22-13 on the OVER, one of the best records in the NBA, 15-4 at home.
The Jazz are 19-16 ATS this season.
The Mavericks are 16-21 ATS, and 5-11 ATS as a road team.
Dallas is 16-21 on the OVER this season.
Prediction
While this game may be two of the worst teams in the West, you know there will be a lot of points. In their last meeting in December, the teams combined for 273 points (Utah won
140-133). The only way to handicap this is by betting the over. BEST BET: OVER 240.
