NBA Predictions and Best Bets – January 19, 2021

Monday offered up a loaded NBA betting slate on MLK Day, but The Association slows things down with just two games scheduled for Tuesday.

See who is in action for tonight’s small slate.

Denver hosts OKC, and the Jazz will be at home against the Pels. None of these four teams played on Monday, so they’ll all be reasonably fresh for these games.

If you need a little help placing bets, read on for my NBA predictions and top betting picks.

Denver is the obvious favorite here. They’re still struggling at just 6-7, but they’re at home against an inferior opponent.

OKC has actually held it together through 12 games, but before long, the wheels will come off. They’ve been playing with Al Horford away from the team, but even his return wouldn’t get me off of the Nuggets here.

Nikola Jokic has been a triple-double machine, and he’s basically unstoppable.

Nikola Jokic gets his 5th triple-double of the season.

The big man is leading the NBA with 10.4 APG ? pic.twitter.com/wI5H4dXsN9

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 15, 2021

OKC specifically doesn’t have anyone that can handle him. If he’s on top of his game, Denver is a home run bet.

The only other game hitting the hardwood tonight has the Pels and Jazz facing off in Utah. The Jazz tend to be a tough out at home, and they’ll be eyeing their 10th victory of the season here.

New Orleans plays slower than they have in the past, but I don’t love them in this spot. Despite the slow pace, their defense isn’t one to be feared.

The Pels have also been missing starting point guard Lonzo Ball.

Lonzo Ball: To miss 'days or a week' https://t.co/EmnYY25zUi

— RotoWire⚡ (@RotoWire) January 16, 2021

New Orleans isn’t all that scary, they’re on the road, and they’re not 100%. I’ll take the Jazz to win, but the Pels ATS could still be in play.

You can roll with my NBA predictions above if you want, but the moneylines aren’t very attractive here. Utah at -240 isn’t too bad, but betting on the Nuggets at -475 feels like a waste of time.

I’d rather just bet on the spreads here. OKC is overmatched, and they’re still without their best big man. It’ll be pretty surprising if the Thunder keep this one close.

For the other game, I think the Pels are good enough to give the Jazz a fight. Utah still wins at home, but Lonzo Ball is due back, and a healthy New Orleans team can be a tough out.

If you want a little more insight into these games, check out the NBA betting previews for both below.