NBA Thursday action rolls around again and as always, it’s a juicy slate for us to dive into. There are eight games on the schedule with the first of those set for a tip-off time of 11:00am (AEDT). We have you covered with our three best bets for the day below!
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 9th 2025
OKC Thunder at Cleveland Cavaliers (11:00am AEDT)
The NBA is set for a historic showdown on Wednesday night as the Cleveland Cavaliers host the Oklahoma City Thunder. Both teams boast exceptional records, with the Cavaliers at 31-4 and the Thunder at 30-5, making this one of the most anticipated matchups of the season.
The Cavaliers lead the league in offense, averaging 122.5 points per game and shooting over 50% from the field. Their balanced attack, orchestrated by head coach Kenny Atkinson, emphasizes team basketball without relying on a single high scorer.
On the other hand, the Thunder showcase the NBA's toughest defence, allowing just 103.0 points per game and holding opponents to a 42.6% field goal percentage. Their defensive prowess is complemented by the stellar play of MVP front-runner Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who averages 31.3 points per game on 52.4% shooting.
Both teams enter this game on impressive winning streaks, with the Thunder having won 15 consecutive games and the Cavaliers on a 10-game streak. This rare convergence of dominant performances sets the stage for a game reminiscent of historic NBA matchups.
The Thunder have won all three meetings between these clubs over the past 24 months, although their most recent clash came all the way back on November 8 2023. Regardless, I still fancy the Thunder as the best team in the NBA, and a lot of their 30 wins have been against tougher opponents in the West compared to the Cavaliers in the weaker East. Disregarding injury-affected games, this is probably the longest odds you’ll get for a Thunder win this season, and I’m happy to back them into win this blockbuster matchup.
Thunder to Win
$2.18 (2 Units)
Detroit Pistons at Brooklyn Nets (11:30am AEDT)
The Detroit Pistons, riding a four-game winning streak, are set to face the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday at the Barclays Center. The Pistons have improved to an 18-18 record, positioning themselves in the Eastern Conference playoff race. In contrast, the Nets have struggled, holding a 13-23 record and aiming to rebound from recent losses.
Detroit's resurgence is largely attributed to the stellar play of guard Cade Cunningham, who leads the team with averages of 24.4 points, 9.5 assists, and 6.7 rebounds per game. His leadership has been instrumental in the Pistons' recent success.
The Pistons' defence has been a cornerstone of their recent victories, allowing opponents an average of 113.8 points per game. Their ability to control the boards, averaging 44.9 rebounds per game, has been crucial in limiting second-chance opportunities for opponents.
Brooklyn, on the other hand, has faced challenges with consistency. The recent return of guard D'Angelo Russell is expected to bolster their backcourt dynamics, although he’s been ruled out for the second straight game due to a shin injury.
The Nets' offense averages 107.5 points per game, and they will need to improve their shooting efficiency to compete with the surging Pistons. Defensively, Brooklyn allows 113.5 points per game, indicating a need for tighter perimeter defence to contain Detroit's shooters.
This matchup presents an opportunity for the Pistons to extend their winning streak and solidify their playoff aspirations. I expect them to come away with another easy win in Brooklyn against the Nets who are currently lacking an identity.
Pistons -7.5
$1.90 (1.5 Units)
San Antonio Spurs at Milwaukee Bucks (1:30pm AEDT)
The San Antonio Spurs (18-18) are set to face the Milwaukee Bucks (18-16) on Wednesday at the Fiserv Forum. Both teams are striving to improve their standings in the competitive NBA landscape.
The Bucks are led by Giannis Antetokounmpo, who tops the league with an impressive 31.6 points per game. His all-around performance includes 11.6 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game, underscoring his MVP-calibre impact. Milwaukee's offense averages 112.3 points per game, ranking 13th in the league, while their defence allows 110.2 points per game, placing them 10th in defensive efficiency. Notably, the Bucks excel in defensive rebounding, securing 35.4 per game, which ranks them third in the NBA.
The Spurs' offence is spearheaded by second-year sensation Victor Wembanyama, who contributes 25.6 points and 10.1 rebounds per game. San Antonio averages 111.5 points per game, placing them 18th in offensive output, while their defence concedes 111.5 points per game, ranking 13th in the league. The Spurs lead the NBA in blocks, averaging 6.9 per game, largely due to Wembanyama's defensive presence.
This matchup features a compelling duel between Antetokounmpo and Wembanyama, both of whom are dominant forces on both ends of the court. And just as we saw when they met a little over 12 months ago, I’m expecting a fierce showdown between two superstars and two quality teams. I predict the result can genuinely go either way here, so I’m happy to be with the Spurs at the generous handicap.
Spurs +5.5
$1.88 (1.5 Units)
