NBA Daily Best Bets for Tuesday, Jan. 20
Summary
The Phoenix Suns face the Philadelphia 76ers, with the Suns favored on the money line partly due to the likely absence of Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid. Phoenix has won five of seven, while the 76ers are on the second night of a back-to-back.
In other games, the Houston Rockets are favored over the San Antonio Spurs, who may rest players and struggle on consecutive nights. The Toronto Raptors, with a rest advantage, are picked against the Golden State Warriors on a back-to-back. Finally, the Los Angeles Lakers are favored against the injury-depleted Denver Nuggets, though Denver’s final status is key.
Phoenix Suns vs Philadelphia 76ers 7:00 p.m. EST
| Spread | ML | Total | |
| Suns | +1 (-110) | -102 | O223 (-110) |
| 76ers | -1 (-110) | -118 | U223 (-110) |
Phoenix Suns (26-17)
The Suns are coming off a 126-117 win over the struggling Nets as Dillon Brooks scored 27 points and Devin Booker had 23 points Monday night. Phoenix has won two straight and five of the last seven.
Philadelphia 76ers (23-18)
The Philadelphia 76ers got back on track Monday with a 113-104 win against the Pacers as Tyrese Maxey scored 29 points and recorded eight steals. The Sixers have just two wins in the last five and play in the second night of a back-to-back against the Suns.
Prediction
While there is no official word yet, one has to assume Philadelphia will be without Joel Embiid in this one after he played against the Pacers on Monday. Â The betting odds reflect this, and that should be the difference in this one without the big man. Â BEST BEST:Â Suns ML
San Antonio Spurs vs Houston Rockets 8:00 p.m. EST
| Spread | ML | Total | |
| Spurs | +4.5 (-110) | +149 | O221 (-110) |
| Rockets | -4.5 (-110) | -170 | U221 (-110) |
San Antonio Spurs (20-13)
The Spurs won their third straight Monday as Victor Wembanyama had a season-high seven 3-pointers, 10 rebounds, and 33 points in a 123-110 win vs the Jazz. The Spurs had seven players in double figures. San Antonio does struggle when playing consecutive nights, and could rest players in this one.Â
Houston Rockets (25-15)
The Rockets have won 3 of four and sit sixth in the West after a win vs the Pelicans Sunday night.  Kevin Durant had 18 points to move into sixth place in NBA career points, while Jabari Smith Jr. scored a season-high 32 points. After beating the Spurs in three straight, Houston dropped a 121 – 110 decision back in November, the lone meeting this season.Â
Recent Betting Trends
San Antonio is 22-19-2 ATS this season. !!
Houston is 7-10 ATS at home this season, 3rd worst in the NBA.
The Rockets are 19-20-1 on the UNDER, essential 50%
Prediction
San Antonio has the second-worst ATS on back-to-back games, 1-6, which gives the Rockets the edge. There’s also the potential that the Spurs may rest players, so something to keep an eye out for before game time. But Houston has been playing well, and having home court should be the difference. BEST BET: Rockets -3.5
Toronto Raptors vs Golden State Warriors 10:00 p.m. EST
| Spread | ML | Total | |
| Raptors | +3.5 (-110) | +135 | O226 (-110) |
| Warriors | -3.5 (-110) | -155 | U226 (-110) |
Toronto Raptors (25-19)
The Raptors continue their west coast swing, having lost back-to-back games in Los Angeles (Clippers and Lakers) for the first time in four weeks. Brandon Ingram scored 19 points and seven assists, and leads this team in scoring (21.7).
Golden State Warriors (25-19)
The Warriors beat the Heaton Monday night and are playing on back-to-back nights. Golden State has won four straight games by an average of 18.33. Jimmy Butler has been the hottest Warrior, hitting the 30-point mark in two of the last four games, while Stephen Curry leads the team, averaging nearly 28 PPG and is No. 1 in 3-point shots made (4.5) and attempts (11.7).Â
Recent Betting Trends
Golden State is 21-22 ATS this season and 13-9 ATS at home.
Toronto is 20-24 and 11-10 ATS on the road.
The Raptors are 27-17 on the UNDER (61.4%).
Warriors are 25-18 on the OVER (58.1%).
Prediction
The Raptors haven’t lost three straight games since early December, and often don’t play three straight bad games. The fact that Golden State played the night before, Toronto has the edge with rest. The Warriors are just 4-4 playing back-to-back this season. BEST BET: Raptors +3.5Â
Los Angeles Lakers vs Denver Nuggets 10:00 p.m. EST
| Spread | ML | Total | |
| Lakers | -2.5 (-110) | -141 | O229 (-110) |
| Nuggets | +2.5 (-110) | +121 | U229 (-110) |
Los Angeles Lakers (25-16)
The Lakers are coming off a win against the Raptors, but have struggled, losing 5 of the last seven games. While they have Luka Doncic (33.3PPG) and LeBron James (22.6PPG) the Lakers struggle on team defense, 26th in rebounding (41.1) and 30th in blocks (3.7). Â
Denver Nuggets (29-14)
The Nuggets had a 4-game winning streak snapped by Charlotte on Sunday as injuries continue to decimate Denver. The Nuggets lead the NBA in scoring (121.7) but were without five of their top 8 scorers (Jokic, Gordon, Johnson, Braun, Valanciunas) who average 77.3 points per game. Denver is 7-5 since Jokic went down with an injury on Dec. 29th.
Recent Betting Trends
The Nuggets have won 4 of their last 5 matchups against the Lakers.
Denver has won 9 of their last 10 home games against the Lakers.
The Lakers are 5-1 ATS in their last six vs Denver.
 The Lakers are 7-2 in their last 9 as road underdogs.
Prediction
Check the injury status of the Nuggets at game time because, as it stands, you have to lean on the Lakers with Doncic and LeBron. The injuries have piled up, leaving Jamal Murray as the go-to for Denver, but he was held to just 16 points vs the Hornets. BEST BET: Lakers -2.5
