We were unlucky not to hit on all three of our betting tips on Saturday, as our last tip on the Heat lost by just half a point. Nonetheless, it was a solid day and provides a platform to continue on with some more winners on Tuesday. Check out our best plays for the eight game slate below, and good luck to everyone following!
NBA Betting Tips Tuesday January 8th
Memphis Grizzlies @ New Orleans Pelicans (12pm AEDT)
The first game we’re making a play on is the Memphis Grizzlies at New Orleans Pelicans match-up. This will be the second of four regular season meetings between these Western Conference rivals this season. The Grizzlies won the first game of the series on the Pelicans home deck by four points about a month ago.
The Grizzlies have really dropped off since their surprisingly good start to the season. They’ve lost each of their last five games, as well as 12 of their last 15. This poor stretch has dropped them down to 12th position in the West with an 18-21 record.
The Pelicans looked really nice in their most recent 35-point win over the Cavaliers on Saturday. They look a completely different team with Elfrid Payton back in the team and running the point, because he allows Jrue Holiday to play off the ball in his natural two-guard role. The Pels have won three of their last five games, but amazingly still sit in second last spot in the West with a record of 18-22.
Although the Grizzlies won the first meeting this season at the Smoothie King Centre, we feel very strongly that the Pelicans will get their revenge here. They’re a great team when healthy, which they currently are for the first time in a long time. We have them covering the spread in our tip of the day here.
New Orleans Pelicans -5.5
$1.92
Los Angeles Lakers @ Dallas Mavericks (12:30pm AEDT)
Second up for the day we’re making a play on the Los Angeles Lakers @ Dallas Mavericks match-up. This is one of the more exciting games on the card with two young and skilful Western Conference teams going head-to-head for the third time this season. The Lakers defended their home court in the first two, winning by one point and 11 points at the Staples Centre.
The Lakers have really struggled to put together four competitive quarters in their recent games without LeBron James in the line-up. They’ve won just one of six games since the King went down with a groin injury against the Warriors, and scored just 86 points in their capitulation against the Timberwolves last time out. As it stands, the Lakers are holding onto eighth spot in the West with a 21-19 record.
The Mavs return home to the fortress that is the American Airlines Center in Dallas. They’ve lost just three games there all season, which is tied for the best mark in the NBA. They’re currently in 12th spot in the West with an 18-21 record, and will need to continue their strong form at home to get back into the playoff picture.
The Lakers took care of home court in their two games there against the Mavs this season, and now it’s the Mavs turn to return the favour. Led by Luka Doncic, we feel they’ll continue their strong home play with a win against the beaten up Lakers.
Dallas Mavericks -6
$1.92
Orlando Magic @ Sacramento Kings (2pm AEDT)
Finally, the last play of the day is on the cross-conference duel between the Orlando Magic and the Sacramento Kings at the Golden 1 Centre. This is the second and final meeting between these teams this season. The Kings were victorious at the Amway Centre in their first meeting by eight points (107-99).
The Magic are playing the second game of a back-to-back after falling short against the Clippers by 10 points on Monday. The Tuesday game against the Kings will be the Magic’s fifth of a six game road trip. They’re currently 1-3 on the trip and 7-11 on the road for the season.
The Kings enter this game fresh off of a thrilling 127-123 loss to the defending champion Warriors on Sunday. It was an incredible game with so many lead changes, but unfortunately the young Kings just couldn’t get over the line. Despite the loss, the Kings are still in the mix in the West with a season record of 19-20.
We’re taking the home favourites at the spread again here as we expect the young Kings to have too much firepower for the fatigued Magic. We expect the -4.5 line to be light work for them here.
Sacramento Kings -4.5
$1.88
