NBA Thursday in mid-January offers a nice slate with 11 games, with action beginning at the usual start time of 11:00am AEDT. There are plenty of classy matchups across the day and as always, we have you covered with free game previews and best bets below. Good luck to everyone following!
Also, make sure to head over to our NBA Tips regularly, as we’ll be providing free tips for all the major slates for each and every week of the 2024-25 season!
NBA Betting Tips: Thursday, January 16th 2025
Memphis Grizzlies at San Antonio Spurs (12:00pm AEDT)
The Spurs, currently 11th in the Western Conference, are coming off a remarkable 126-102 victory against the Los Angeles Lakers, where they overcame a 25-point deficit. Wembanyama led the team with 23 points in that game. Despite Wembanyama's defensive prowess, San Antonio has struggled defensively this season, allowing an average of 111 points per game, placing them outside the top ten in defensive rankings. Offensively, the team lacks depth beyond Wembanyama, which may prompt them to explore trade options before the February deadline.
The Grizzlies, sitting third in the Western Conference, are looking to rebound after a narrow 120-118 loss to the Houston Rockets, despite Ja Morant's 29-point performance. Memphis has lost four of their last six games, a downturn following impressive six-game and four-game winning streaks earlier in the season. Offensively, the Grizzlies have been formidable, leading the league with an average of 122.9 points per game and ranking second in rebounding with over 48 boards per contest.
This matchup will be the first of four meetings between the Spurs and Grizzlies this season. The Spurs will rely heavily on Wembanyama's all-around contributions, while the Grizzlies will look to Morant to spearhead their high-powered offense. It looms as an evenly-poised contest with both teams having equal winning chances, making the Spurs the value on their home deck.
Spurs to Win
$2.40 (1.5 Units)
Houston Rockets at Denver Nuggets (1:00pm AEDT)
The Rockets, boasting a 26-12 record, are currently second in the Western Conference. They've been on a hot streak, winning five of their last six games, including a narrow 120-118 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies. In that game, Jalen Green was outstanding, scoring 42 points on 72.2% shooting.
The Nuggets, with a 24-15 record, are fourth in the Western Conference and have won eight of their last 10 games. They recently secured a 118-99 win against the Dallas Mavericks. Nikola Jokić continues to be a dominant force, averaging 31.2 points, 13.2 rebounds, and 9.8 assists per game.
Both teams showcase potent offenses, with the Nuggets averaging 120.4 points per game, ranking third in the NBA, and the Rockets averaging 113.3 points per game, placing them 12th. Defensively, the Rockets have an edge, allowing only 107.3 points per game, the third-best in the league, compared to the Nuggets' 116.1 points allowed per game.
The Rockets are favoured by 2.5 points in this matchup. However, the Nuggets' strong home form over a number of years cannot be underestimated. They’ve also won their past two home games by a combined 42 points and are also riding a four-game win streak. It’s not often you get better than $2.00 for the Nuggets on their home floor, and I’m happy to back them in at a juicy price.
Nuggets to Win
$2.20 (2 Units)
Miami Heat at Los Angeles Lakers (2:00pm AEDT)
The Lakers (20-17) are currently on a three-game losing streak, with recent defeats against the San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks, and Houston Rockets. Despite these setbacks, they hold the 7th position in the Western Conference. Anthony Davis has been a consistent performer, averaging 25.8 points and 12.3 rebounds per game. LeBron James, listed as questionable due to a foot injury, contributes significantly with 24.5 points and 7.1 assists per game. T
The Miami Heat (20-18), holding the 7th spot in the Eastern Conference, recently had a three-game winning streak snapped by a loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. Tyler Herro has been in excellent form, leading the team with an average of 23.4 points per game over the last five games. Bam Adebayo, listed as questionable due to a back injury, is a key player, averaging 20.1 points and 10.2 rebounds per game.
The Lakers, desperate to break their losing streak, will rely on their home-court advantage and offensive firepower to bounce back. With the backing of their crowd, their urgency to secure a win should see them edge past the Heat, whose road inconsistencies leave them vulnerable in this matchup.
Lakers -3.5
$1.90 (3 Units)
