NBA Daily Best Bets for Thursday, Jan. 29
Summary
Tonight’s NBA schedule features several key matchups. The struggling Sacramento Kings, on a six-game losing streak, face the Philadelphia 76ers, who are favored by 11.5 points. Philadelphia is expected to cover the spread against the league-worst Kings defense. In another game, the Milwaukee Bucks are slight favorites over the Washington Wizards, despite both teams having poor recent records.
The Oklahoma City Thunder, leading the NBA in scoring, are 6.5-point favorites against the Minnesota Timberwolves. However, Minnesota plays them tightly at home. Finally, the Detroit Pistons and Phoenix Suns, both strong defensive teams, meet with a predicted low total score, favoring the under on 215.5 points.
Sacramento Kings vs Philadelphia 76ers 7:00 p.m. EST
| Spread | ML | Total | |
| Kings | +11.5 (-110) | +350 | O 224 (-110) |
| 76ers | -11.5(-110) | -450 | U 224 (-110) |
Sacramento Kings (12-36)
The Kings have lost 6 straight and allow 120.8 points per game while scoring 110.5, third fewest in the league. While the Kings have 7 players who average double-digits in points, no one reaches 20 points as Zach LaVine leads the team with 19.5 PPG.
Philadelphia 76ers(25-21)
The 76ers got back on track with a big 139-122 win vs the Bucks. Paul George scored 32 and Joel Embiid added 29 points. George was 9-15 from three-point land while Embiid added nine rebounds and five assists.
Recent Betting Trends
Sacramento a league-worst 18-30 ATS this season.
The 76ers are 26-20 ATS, fifth best in the NBA.
The Kings are 8-15 ATS as the road team.
Philadelphia is 16-12 when favored this season.
Prediction
The Kings are terrible and have lost 13 of the last 17 games while the Sixers next two games are against the worst teams in the NBA (Kings, Pelicans). The 76ers are desperate to put together a win streak to get back into the race. BEST BET: 76ers -11.5
Milwaukee Bucks vs Washington Wizards 7:00 p.m. EST
| Spread | ML | Total | |
| Bucks | -2.5 (-110) | -135 | O224 (-110) |
| Wizards | +2.5 (-110) | +115 | U224 (-110) |
Milwaukee Bucks (18-27)
The Bucks have lost six of the last seven and with star Giannis Antetokounmpo expected to be moved before the trading deadline, things look bleak in Milwaukee. In their latest loss, the Bucks were led by Myles Turner who scored 31 points in a 139-122 loss to the 76ers.
Washington Wizards (11-34)
The Wizards snapped a miserable 9-game losing streak with a 115-111 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday night as Alex Sarr had 29 points, 12 rebounds and six blocked shots. Remarkably, it was the first time since 2017 Washington won at home vs Portland.
Recent Betting Trends
Milwaukee is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games.
The total has gone UNDER in 13 of Milwaukee’s last 20 games.
Washington is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games.
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Washington’s last 16 games.
Prediction
Maybe their win vs the Trail Blazers light a fire under the Wizards and they can get put some sort of a winning streak together. They have been playing well against the spread of late but we’ll caution here and go with the Bucks. BEST BET: Milwaukee -2.5
Oklahoma City Thunder vs Minnesota Timberwolves 9:30 p.m. EST
| Spread | ML | Total | |
| Thunder | -6.5 (-110) | -205 | O225.5 (-110) |
| T-wolves | +6.5 (-110) | +177 | U225.5 (-110) |
Oklahoma City Thunder (38-10)
The Thunder are in a bit of a slump, just 7 wins in the last ten games. Sarcasm aside, OKC hasn’t been dominating teams of late despite leading the NBA in scoring (120.8) and allowing the fewest points (107.9). Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is second in scoring (32.0) continues to shine as he scored 29 points vs the Pelicans in the latest win.
Minnesota Timberwolves (29-19)
The Timberwolves have won two straight after a 118-105 win Wednesday night against the Mavericks. Julius Randle scored 31 points, and Naz Reid added 23 points. Minnesota beat OKC in the last meeting but over the last 8 meetings, they’ve alternated victories.
Recent Betting Trends
OKC is 23-25 ATS this season and 11-11 ATS on the road.
Minnesota is 21-27 ATS and 10-14 ATS at home.
The Thunder have gone OVER in 23 of 25 games this season (47.9%).
Timberwolves have gone UNDER 26 of 48 games this season (54.2%).
Prediction
The Timberwolves have always played OKC tight and are strong at home going 16-8 so far. Minnesota won the last meeting in December and in the last 7meetings, the winning margin has been 8 points or less. BEST BET: Timberwolves
Detroit Pistons vs Phoenix Suns 9:00 p.m. EST
| Spread | ML | Total | |
| Pistons | -4 (-110) | -170 | O215.5 (-110) |
| Suns | +4 (-110) | +149 | U215.5 (-110) |
Prediction
The Pistons will try to keep a four-game road win streak alive when they face the Suns in Phoenix. But the Suns are tough at home, 15-6, and have won four of the last six games overall. Phoenix is No. 3 in the West in team defense allowing just 111.6 PPG. Detroit, on the other hand, is 15-6 on the road and sits third overall in the NBA allowing 110 points per game and holding opponents to just 44.3% shooting. This is the second meeting of the season as the Pistons won 108-105 in the last meeting on Jan. 16. With both teams playing stellar defense overall, the obvious play is a lower scoring game. BEST BET: UNDER 215.5
