NBA Daily Best Bets for Thursday Jan. 15
Summary
The Phoenix Suns face the Detroit Pistons, with the Suns strong against the spread (ATS) despite a recent loss. The Pistons hope for Cade Cunningham’s return to bolster their home record. The prediction favors the Suns to cover the +7 spread.
In other games, the Houston Rockets are expected to cover +4 against the Oklahoma City Thunder, leveraging their strong home play. The Milwaukee Bucks vs. San Antonio Spurs matchup predicts an Under 226 total due to strong defenses. Finally, the Los Angeles Lakers are favored to cover -4 against the struggling Charlotte Hornets, with the total also expected to stay Under 232.
Phoenix Suns vs Detroit Pistons 7:00 p.m. EST
| Spread | ML | Total | |
| Suns | +7 (-110) | +207 | O2222.5 (-110) |
| Pistons | -7 (-110) | -250 | U222.5 (-110) |
Phoenix Suns (24-16)
The Suns come in off a loss in Miami Tuesday night, but have still won 7 of the last ten. Devin Booker, Grayson Allen, and Dillon Brooks all scored at least 24 points vs the Heat. The Suns are No. 5 in the NBA in defensive scoring (111.8) but No. 22 in scoring, averaging 114.8 PPG. Phoenix is also 10-11 on the road.
Detroit Pistons (28-10)
The Pistons had a 3-game winning streak snapped Saturday, falling 98-92 to the Clippers. Cade Cunningham did not play as he is out with a wrist injury, and his absence was seen on the court as Detroit struggled to create offense. He remains questionable for Thursday. Detroit is 10th (117.8) in scoring, but remains No. 4 in defense, allowing just 111.2 PPG.
Recent Betting Trends
Phoenix is the best ATS team going 28-12 this season.
Detroit is 21-17 ATS, 7th best in the league.
The Suns are the second-best road team ATS at 13-8.
The Pistons are 6-3 ATS after a loss.
Prediction
Cunningham is expected to play as he has led the Pistons to a 14-4 record at home this season. But the Suns are one of the best teams ATS, going 11-4 against the spread following a loss. However, in this spot, the Pistons bounce back at home. BEST BET: Suns +7
Oklahoma City Thunder vs Houston Rockets 7:30 p.m. EST
| Spread | ML | Total | |
| Thunder | -4(-110) | -170 | O223 (-110) |
| Rockets | +4 (-110) | +149 | U223 (-110) |
Oklahoma City Thunder (34-7)
The Suns come in off a loss in Miami Tuesday night, but have still won 7 of the last ten. Devin Booker, Grayson Allen, and Dillon Brooks all scored at least 24 points vs the Heat. The Suns are No. 5 in the NBA in defensive scoring (111.8) but No. 22 in scoring, averaging 114.8 PPG. Phoenix is also 10-11 on the road.
Houston Rockets (23-14)
Houston goes for its seventh straight win at home. The Rockets have just two home losses, 12-2 this season, but are just 6-8 ATS on their floor. Kevin Durant is averaging 26.1 PPG, while Alperen Sengun has 8.9 rebounds per game. He will be a key piece in this game as he scored 39 vs the Thunder in their lone meeting this season.
Recent Betting Trends
Phoenix is the best ATS team going 28-12 this season.
Detroit is 21-17 ATS, 7th best in the league.
The Suns are the second-best road team ATS at 13-8.
The Pistons are 6-3 ATS after a loss.
Prediction
The last time these teams played in October, OKC squeaked a 125-124 win as SGA scored 35 points in that game. A big advantage for the Rockets is offensive rebounding, as they lead the NBA, averaging 16.4 boards, with Steven Adams averaging 4.5. This should keep them in this one. The Rockets are a really good home team, and while they may not win this, they should keep it close.  BEST BET: Rockets +4
Milwaukee Bucks vs San Antonio Spurs 8:00 p.m. EST
| Spread | ML | Total | |
| Bucks | +7.5 (-110) | +234 | O226 (-110) |
| Spurs | -7.5 (-110) | -285 | U226 (-110) |
Milwaukee Bucks(17-23)
Giannis Antetokounmpo has recovered from a right calf strain and is trying to get the Bucks back in the playoff picture. Milwaukee has lost two straight and is one of the lowest scoring teams (112.7), but with Antetokounmpo back, the scoring should pick up. The Greek Freak is averaging 29.1 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 5.7 assists this season.
San Antonio Spurs (27-13)
The Spurs tip off a three-game homestand Thursday night against nine-time All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks. San Antonio has lost two in a row but is 13-5 at home this season. Victor Wembanyama is averaging 24 points, 11 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks, and the Spurs are No. 7 defensively, allowing just 112.8 PPG.
Recent Betting Trends
The Spurs are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 home games.
The Bucks are 18-22 ATS and 10-11 as the road team.
San Antonio is 11-13-2 as a home favorite.
Milwaukee has gone UNDER in 23 of 40 games this season.
The Spurs are 23-17 on the UNDER.
Prediction
With two of the best big men in the game, it’s no wonder the UNDER looks like a prominent play. Both teams are in the top half of the league for defense scoring, and with a tight game expected, points will come at a premium.  BEST BET: UNDER 226
Charlotte Hornets vs Los Angeles Lakers 10:30 p.m. EST
| Spread | ML | Total | |
| Hornets | +4 (-110) | +149 | O232 (-110) |
| Lakers | -4 (-110) | -170 | U232 (-110) |
Prediction
After three straight losses, the Los Angeles Lakers (24-14) hammered the Hawks
141-116 Tuesday. LeBron James scored 31 points, 10 assists, and nine rebounds, while Luka Doncic scored 27 points. The Charlotte Hornets (14-26) lost 117-109 to the Clippers on Monday as LaMelo Ball scored 25 points while Moussa Diabate and Brandon Miller added 13 each.Â
With the Hornets struggling on the road (7-14) and the Lakers much better on home court (11-7), L.A. gets the edge in this one. Both teams are averaging 116 points per game, middle of the pack in the NBA. The total seems to be a bit high in this game. The Hornets may not be able to keep up, so go with Showtime in this game. BEST BET: Lakers -4 / UNDER 232Â
