Each year the NBA takes time to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King while providing a showcase of its product. While the action starts at 1 p.m. ET, there is tremendous value on the board for the later games. With 11 games to choose on a holiday Monday, we can take advantage of some recent performances, especially from anyone who played last night. Here are the best NBA side and total bets for Martin Luther King Day!
Best NBA Bets Today: Picks, Side Bets & More
Best NBA Side Bet: Heat-Nets
We are seeing this line continue to rise as the Heat initially opened as favorites, but now Brooklyn is laying 1.5 to 2 points. The Nets are in a skid right now, dropping two straight and seven of their last 10. They do have something that’s worked for them already this year: Rest. Miami blew out the Hornets last night in a game it probably felt more obligated to play than not, but it’s still going to work and playing basketball.
The Nets have covered six straight games against teams coming off back-to-backs. It’s not just playing last night that hurts the Heat; they are most likely still without Jimmy Butler, who has played just once over the last 12 games. Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Kevin Love are also expected out.
The Heat are just 1-5 against the spread over their last six games on a back-to-back, not to mention winning just one of their last seven against the Nets. We will lay the points at -1.5 thanks to OddsShopper.
Best NBA Side Bet: Nets -1.5 at BetMGM Sportsbook
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Best NBA Total Bet: Thunder-Lakers O/U 238.5
The night ends in Los Angeles with the Thunder needing a win to sit tied atop the Western Conference. While the regular season is far from over, this has been one of the more pleasant surprises in the NBA this year. These are also two teams going in the opposite directions as the Thunder are riding a four-game winning streak, while the Lakers dropped seven of 10 — including two straight. LeBron James is probable and will play, but that’s not the main injury concern.
Anthony Davis is questionable and in jeopardy of missing his first game in a month — downgraded from probable to questionable with an ankle injury. Los Angeles is already without Cam Reddish too, adding to the list. The Thunder could be down a major player in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as he’s questionable with a knee injury. Getting ahead of these potential absences means playing the under at 238.5, a number already dipping, as we see on OddsShopper.
Even if both sides are fully healthy, the Thunder are one of the best teams in forcing turnovers and limiting scoring off their own. The Thunder may lose a tight one, but it certainly will stay under.
Best NBA Total Bet: Thunder-Lakers Under 238.5 (-110 at BetMGM)
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