The Nets let us down, no other way around it, but we split with the Thunder and Lakers staying under the total. It’s a short slate tonight that has one of the more anticipated head-to-heads across the entire regular season, followed by two more marquee matchups. With just three games, a battle between Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid will have even more magnitude. Add the Kings in Phoenix and Oklahoma City taking on the Clippers, and we have action! Here are the best NBA side and total bets for Tuesday, Jan. 16.
Best NBA Bets Today: Picks, Side Bets & More
Best NBA Side Bet: Nuggets-76ers
The general assumption is that Joel Embiid is absolutely positively going to be on the floor tonight as the 76ers play host to the Nuggets. In fact, Embiid isn’t even on the injury report as of Tuesday morning. Tyrese Maxey helped the Sixers dominate the Rockets, but it was Embiid who was unstoppable last night, recording a 40-point double-double in just 31 minutes.
There is no way Embiid suffers any letdown simply because he played last night; look at that Rockets game more of a tune-up for the main course. Embiid looks at Jokic as the defining challenge no matter what point of the season they play. The 76ers are up for this game way more than Denver due to personal battles between the big men and how much the Sixers value regular season wins against quality teams.
Denver hasn’t played since Sunday but has multiple injured players beyond just Jokic. Michael Porter Jr. may miss his first game of the year, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is questionable with multiple injuries and Aaron Gordon is now sporting a “Q” tag for tonight. Then there’s Jamal Murray, also questionable with a tibia injury. Multiple starters are in jeopardy of missing this game, and the 76ers won’t let that impact performance. The line is moving, so we jump on it at -3 thanks to OddsShopper!
Best NBA Side Bet: 76ers -3 at Caesars Sportsbook
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Best NBA Total Bet: Thunder-Clippers O/U 236.5
Both teams have been scorching hot heading into the week despite the Thunder losing last night to the Lakers, and the Clippers dropping one Sunday in Minnesota. Both teams are primed for a bounce back, but what side of the floor it comes on will determine the best value. The Thunder are healthy despite dropping last night’s game and stay in the same city with no immediate wear from travel.
Oklahoma City is top 15 in total points allowed, the Clippers are top 10. Both teams have star talent who can get buckets, but money is made on the defensive end. Los Angeles will have to be careful limiting turnovers because the Thunder will make them pay in transition. The Clippers are also down Ivica Zubac for a second straight game, which hurts interior scoring for Los Angeles.
The Thunder should be able to play their game without needing to run up and down the floor. In fact, both teams are comfortable winning this game on the defensive side and will only be helped if Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, James Harden or Paul George struggle from the floor. With two good defensive teams, that’s highly possible.
Best NBA Total Bet: Thunder-Clippers Under 235.5 (-110 at PointsBet)
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