We’re rolling into a new week of NBA basketball and six games are set to tip off between 7:00 and 10:30 pm ET on Monday, January 13. It appears like all but one game could shape up to be competitive and we’ve gone over the slate to determine the best lines to attack. Here are our best bets ahead of the action.
Rockets -3.5 vs. Grizzlies (-110BetMGM)
The Rockets’ latest road win against Memphis brought them to 2-0 in the season series. Now they’ll return home in hopes of improving to 3-0 against their Western Conference rival. The Grizzlies couldn’t take care of business at FedExForum despite entering the matchup 15-4 at home. Houston protects home court like few others and boasts the league’s sixth-best home winning percentage (69.4%).
Houston can match the production of the opposition’s backcourt scoring, has a superior team defense, and can create a matchup nightmare in the post with Alperen Sengun. The big man is averaging 24.0 points, 14.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists against Memphis this season and Zach Edey has hardly been able to stay on the court for 20 minutes in those matchups. Bettors should expect more of the same in round three as the Rockets work their way toward another victory. Ja Morant is questionable and if he’s ruled out, this spread will be a steal. Houston can cover whether he plays or not.
Pistons +7.5 at Knicks (-105, BetMGM)
The Pistons-Knicks season series is even at 1-1 but Detroit isn’t the same team it was when it suffered its latest 30-point loss to New York. The Pistons are on a roll. They’ve won six of their previous seven games straight up. They’ve also won and covered in four of their previous five road games.
Losing Jaden Ivey to injury hasn’t been a problem and Cade Cunningham has stepped his game up during his backcourt partner’s absence with averages of 26.2 points, 8.8 assists, and 6.3 rebounds on 50.0% shooting over his previous six games. He lifted the Pistons over the Knicks with a triple-double earlier this season and Jalen Brunson’s lingering shoulder injury could give the visitors an even better chance to cover here.
Lakers -3.5 vs. Spurs (-110, BetMGM)
Los Angeles hasn’t been on a hot streak but does hold two road victories of five points or more against San Antonio ahead of tip-off. The Lakers aren’t fighting for a top spot in the Western Conference right now, but do win at home. Only the Cleveland Cavaliers, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Grizzlies have better home winning percentages (70.6%) than the Lakers this season. The Spurs are 6-11 on the road and only two of those losses were by less than two possessions. This will likely be a fun matchup with plenty of highlights, but Anthony Davis is 4-0 against Victor Wembanyama in his career and only their first meeting resulted in a point differential of three or less.
