Best NBA Bets Today: January 3rd Top Basketball Betting Picks

The NBA season rolls on today after a busy Friday.

Saturday’s schedule features only eight games, but it includes some exciting matchups. From the day’s slate, we’ve designated the following as our best bets.

Our focus is on the three games scheduled to be broadcast on NBA TV:

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Miami Heat

Miami ML at +124 (FanDuel)

Both teams have been playing relatively well and have been playing comparable games. Miami is scoring about two points per game more than Minnesota, but allowing opponents to score roughly three points per game more. So, from a statistical standpoint, it should be a pretty close game.

Taking the points would be a more cautious play, but Miami enters the game playing well and on a four-game winning streak, while Minnesota has lost three of its last four. Everything equal, I take Minnesota to win, but everything is not equal.

Miami is playing better than Minnesota at the moment. Go with the hot hand and take the Heat.

Philadelphia 76ers vs. New York Knicks

Philadelphia ML at +140

All things equal, the Knicks are the better of the two teams this season. But the team taking the court for New York will be lacking in quite a few places, with Josh Hart, Mitchell Robinson, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Landry Shamet all out for the game. Philly will be down Keely Oubre Jr. again, but that’s it.

Jalen Brunson will do what he can to keep the Knicks in the game, but he is going to be outgunned in this one with Paul George, Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and VJ Edgecombe. Take the 76ers to win this one outright as the Knicks will be missing too many guys to put up a good fight.

Boston Celtics vs. Los Angeles Clippers

Celtics ML at +108

Both teams are coming off strong wins with the Celtics downing the Kings 120-106 on New Year’s Day and the Clippers taking care of Utah 118-101. The win improved Boston’s record to 21-12 while the Clippers improved to 12-21. But the Clippers are favored heading into this game? How?

Easy—the Clippers are finally relatively healthy and have won their last six games. Boston hasn’t been playing bad basketball, with wins in five of their last six games. However, it is hard to ignore how well Kawhi Leonard is playing right now with 45, 33, and 55 points in his last three games.

The Clippers have beaten up on some weak teams during this win streak, but they have also beaten some of the NBA’s best (Houston, the Lakers, and Detroit). Boston will easily be the best defense the Clippers have faced.