NBA Predictions and Best Bets – January 25, 2021

The NBA got through a wonky and inconsistent schedule last week, but things stay rather busy with a big 10-game slate set up for Monday.

This is also a star-studded slate, with LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Stephen Curry, and a litany of other NBA stars hitting the hardwood.

Take a quick look at everyone who is in action on Monday, January 25th, 2021.

It’s a big slate, and it also could be a pretty competitive one. There are only two truly awful teams scheduled to play (in terms or record), and a lot of these games offer pretty palatable matchups.

This has been the year of the blowout, admittedly. If you’re concerned about that, consider reading up on how you can benefit from NBA blowouts.

I’ve got you covered with the rest of the games. Let’s dive into my NBA predictions and top betting picks for Monday, January 25th.

The Sixers caused waves on Saturday, when head coach Doc Rivers suggested his guys were “banged up” and he wasn’t sure if/how much they’d play.

Doc Rivers on whether Embiid, Simmons, and Tobias will play tonight pic.twitter.com/tKnu65ExED

— Awesemo (@Awesemo_Com) January 23, 2021

Gee, thanks Doc.

NBA head coaches have become frustratingly coy about their plans on a daily basis, and that’s another example of how annoying misinformation can be.

That said, even if the Sixers rest some guys, it’s tough to hate their chances against the 3-13 Pistons. Philly weirdly barely beat Detroit (114-110) on Friday, but as long as their main guys are a full go, I’d imagine the second meeting will be a bit more decisive.

This could be another rest spot for bettors to monitor. Not only did the Raptors and Pacers both play on Sunday, but they faced each other.

Bettors will want to keep tabs on Raptors star point guard Kyle Lowry, while anyone could technically be at risk on the second leg of a back-to-back set for both squads.

Whatever the case, Indy is actually getting healthier, as bench scorer Jeremy Lamb is already gaining minutes again. All things considered, I tend to favor the more complete Pacers at home.

The Hornets and Magic are both pretty inconsistent, and sit at middling an unthreatening 6-9 and 7-9 records, respectively.

Charlotte’s early season upside is eroding, as rookie phenom LaMelo Ball is suddenly losing his minutes due to turnovers.

Hornets Head Coach on why LaMelo Ball is playing limited minutes. ?

(via @rick_bonnell/@theobserver) pic.twitter.com/pE40f3MtHp

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) January 24, 2021

It’s worth wondering if that continues, and if it could hurt the Hornets in this road tilt. That, and if it might impact how you bet on the 2021 NBA Rookie of the Year at your favorite NBA betting sites.

Ball doesn’t necessarily make or break the Hornets, but I tend to favor the Magic at home. Aaron Gordon is taking on a bigger playmaking role and thriving, while Nikola Vucevic should be able to dominate in this spot.

The Heat and Nets face again after battling to a 128-124 finish on Saturday. That game went to the Nets, who have had serious trouble disposing of beatable opponents lately.

Perhaps their atrocious defense has something to do with it.

Regardless, Brooklyn plays host again to a severely depleted Miami team.

It’s certainly worth tracking who could return for the Heat, but betting against the likes of Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving probably won’t be something I’ll get accustomed to doing.

I like the Nets at home, and you can hammer the Over.

Cleveland has been quite feisty lately, and on Monday they host one of their other former stars. The Cavs beat Kyrie Irving’s Nets twice last week, and are now riding a three-game winning streak.

The Cavs are also unearthing a career-year out of Collin Sexton, who appears to be a legit star in the making.

Cleveland still has their warts, of course, so I’m not about to bet on them to beat the defending champion Lakers.

Denver gets a day off after two grueling overtime tilts with the Suns. I don’t love their chances to pull into Dallas to take down the Mavs.

Kristaps Porzingis rested on Saturday, and it stands to reason he’ll be back to join Luka Doncic in a battle against Nikola Jokic.

Dallas is a bit more fresh overall, and I think they’ll get back on track at home after dropping a winnable game to the Rockets.

The Spurs got off to a solid start this year, but have dropped two in a row, and enter Monday at just 8-8. They’re weirdly 6-3 on the road this year, so perhaps a trip to New Orleans can stop the bleeding.

New Orleans is talented, but their collection of tantalizing bodies hasn’t equated to much winning. They’re running slower than they did a year ago, and they’re just 5-10.

Perhaps the Pels will benefit from a positive matchup at home, where they’ve played just five games all year.

Boston is slumping after starting the year with a strong 8-3 mark. They miss Jayson Tatum, and have lost three straight games.

The Celtics are tough to trust at the moment, but a road date against the Bulls looks like a “get right” spot.

In their defense, the Bulls have been respectable this year. They’re just 2-4 at the United Center, though, and they don’t have the defense to contain the Celtics.

Speaking of bad defense, two of the worst teams in that regard battle it out to close out Monday’s NBA betting slate.

Stephen Curry leads the 8-8 Dubs, who have lost two in a row, and will hope to get back over .500. They’re just 5-4 on their home floor, and are allowing over 115 points per game.

Minnesota is in even worse shape, of course.

The T’Wolves are playing without big man Karl-Anthony Towns these days, and they’re one of the worst teams in the league at 4-11. They’re also giving up over 115 points on the defensive end of the floor.

This is technically a toss-up, but the two best bets stand out pretty easily; the Dubs at home are a solid play, and you can confidently target the Over.

Orlando and Dallas stand out as steals, as they are both very light home favorites. NBA games can always go either way, but getting them at these prices in these spots feels like situations worth targeting.

Philly at -7 is a bit thick, but that’s before you realize it’s against these terrible Pistons. Detroit is at home and the 76ers sitting anyone would mess this up, but I would just target it before it gets even thicker.

The other two NBA picks for me are game totals.

Golden State’s is considerably more palatable, to be sure. Both teams in that game are giving up over 115 points per game, and Golden State pushes the pace (3rd) as well as anyone.

The Nets game total is absurd, but they haven’t done much to deter you. They’re averaging over 120 points per game and sport the NBA’s third most efficient offense. This, while playing next to zero defense.

Maybe that changes eventually – or perhaps Miami being banged up helps them out here – but the Nets have been part of contests that have cleared this 234-point total five games in a row.

Hopefully these NBA predictions and top betting picks serve you well. If you’re ready to rock, consider placing some bets at the top sites for betting on the NBA.