NBA Daily Bests Bets for Thursday Jan. 1st
Summary
Tonight’s NBA schedule features four key matchups with predictions. The Houston Rockets, seeking a fourth straight win, are favored by 11.5 points over the Brooklyn Nets due to their dominant rebounding. The Detroit Pistons, strong at home, are a 4.5-point pick against the Miami Heat. The Philadelphia 76ers, with Joel Embiid back, are favored by 2.5 over the struggling Dallas Mavericks. Finally, the Los Angeles Clippers, led by a red-hot Kawhi Leonard, face the Utah Jazz in a game predicted to exceed 232 total points.
Houston Rockets vs Brooklyn Nets 6:00 p.m. EST
| Spread | ML | Total | |
| Rockets | -11.5 (-110) | -530 | O218.5 (-110) |
| Nets | +11.5 (-110) | +403 | U218.5 (-110) |
Houston Rockets (20-10)
The Rockets will try to pick up in 2026 where they left off in 2025 as they seek their fourth straight win. Houston is the No. 1 rebounding team in the NBA with C Alperen Sengun (9.4), C
Steven Adams (8.4) and guard Amen Thompson (7.4) are leading the way. Veteran Kevin Durant leads the team in scoring (25.5 PPG) and has back-to-back 30-point games.
Brooklyn Nets (10-20)
The Nets had a 3-game winning streak broken by the Warriors, but have won 7 of their last 11 games. Michael Porter Jr. is averaging 25.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game and is No. 3 in the NBA, making 3.8 3-pointers per contest. Brooklyn struggles to score, though, just 109.7 PPG, the worst in the league, and their second worst in rebounding (40.2).
Recent Betting Trends
Houston is 3-7 ATS in its last 10 games.
The OVER has hit in 7 of the Rockets’ last 10 games.
Houston is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games against Brooklyn.
Brooklyn is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games.
The Nets are 6-0 SU in their last six games vs. Houston at home.
Prediction
The Rockets are playing some of their best ball of the season and seem to be clicking well right now. Houston’s rebounding will be the difference, as big men Durant, Sengun, and Adams should be able to push around the Nets in the paint, leading to buckets. BEST BET: Rockets -11.5
Miami Heat vs. Detroit Pistons 7:00 p.m. EST
| Spread | ML | Total | |
| Heat | +4.5 (-110) | +160 | O236.5 (-110) |
| Pistons | -4.5 (-110) | – 185 | U236.5 (-110) |
Miami Heat (18-15)
The Heat are on a 3-game winning streak with wins over Atlanta, Indiana, and Denver, but are 4-6 in the last ten. Miami averages 121 PPG, No. 3 in the NBA. Six players average double-digits for this team with Norman Powell leading the way (23.8) while C Kel’el Ware is a menace on the glass (10.6). Bam Adebayo has a balanced attack for the Heat: 17.8 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game.
Detroit Pistons (25-8)
After a couple of losses, the Pistons got back on track by defeating the Lakers by 22. Detroit remains the best in the East and is doing it with defense. Pistons allow 112.7, 4th best overall. Team rebounding is No.2 in the NBA (46.6), leads the league in blocks (6.2), and is third in steals (10.1). The Pistons remain one of just four teams with two or fewer home losses (12-2).
Prediction
In their previous meeting this season, the Pistons won a tight 138-135 game at Miami. With this game on home court, Detroit should have a bigger edge, especially with Cade
Cunningham’s recent stretch of scoring at least 27 points in three straight games. BEST BET: Pistons -4.5
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Dallas Mavericks 8:30 p.m. EST
| Spread | ML | Total | |
| 76ers | -2.5 (-110) | -135 | O230.5 (-110) |
| Mavericks | +2.5 (-110) | +115 | U230.5 (-110) |
Philadelphia 76ers (17-14)
The 76ers are coming off an exciting 139-136 OT win over the Grizzlies, where all starters reached double-digits, and Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey both scored 34 points. Philadelphia earned a win over Dallas just a couple of weeks ago, where Maxey netted 38 points, while VJ Edgecombe added 26. Embiid did not play in that game and now adds another offensive element in this rematch.Â
Dallas Mavericks (12-22)
The Mavericks have lost three straight and 5 of their last six. Anthony Davis averages 20.5 PPG but has been limited to just 16 games and missed Monday’s game against Portland. If he plays, he’ll be a big piece as Davis scored 24 vs. the 76ers in their last meeting.
Recent Betting Trends
Philadelphia is 4-2 ATS and 5-1 SU in the last six vs Dallas.
The 76ers are 12-4 ATS in the last 16 road games.
Dallas is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games.
The Mavs are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 home games.
Prediction
With Embiid back in the lineup, the 76ers are just a better-balanced team and bigger up front. That should be the difference in this one despite rookie Cooper Flagg averaging 25 PPG in his last nine. Philly wins and covers.  BEST BET: 76ers -2.5
Utah Jazz vs. Los Angeles Clippers 10:30 p.m. EST
| Spread | ML | Total | |
| Jazz | +12.5 (-110) | +476 | O232 (-110) |
| Clippers | -12.5 (-110) | -650 | U232 (-110) |
Preview
Kawhi Leonard is playing his best basketball in recent memory. He’s scored 88 points in the last two games, including 55 vs the Pistons. Over his last five games, Leonard is averaging 38 PPG, all wins by the Clippers. L.A. is averaging 118.6 PPG over that stretch, far ahead of its 112 PPG, which ranks it fourth from the bottom.
Utah has just two wins in the last seven games, but those victories came against the East-leading Pistons and the Spurs. The Jazz are sixth in scoring (120.4) with Lauri Markkanen averaging 27.7 points and seven rebounds, while Keyonte George is averaging 37.0 points over the last 10 games.
Prediction
This line opened at 10.5 but has ticked down to 8.5. In the last two wins, the Clippers have had big first halves and eventually cruised to an easy win. The Jazz can score and could keep this one close, especially in garbage time. But the best play here may be a high-scoring affair. BEST BET: OVER 232
