Best Sports Betting Picks Today: College Basketball, NBA Predictions for January 24

Sunday still belongs to the NFL (for now), but Friday…Friday is for basketball. There are several excellent games today, college and professional. Sifting through all the games on deck can take some time, but if you want a head start on doing your pre-betting homework, we’re here for you.

The following are markets that we’ve identified as the ‘best bets’ for Jan. 24. No, that does not mean that these will hit. It just means they are worthy of your consideration. 

Best Bets Jan. 24: NBA

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Philadelphia 76ers: Cavaliers -9.5 at -110 (DraftKings)

The Cavs will be out for blood after losing to the Houston Rockets on Tuesday by a single point (109-108). As for the Philadelphia 76ers, the struggle is real. They lost their seventh game in a row their last time out, a 144-109 beatdown by the Denver Nuggets.

Injuries have decimated the roster this season; they’ll be without Joel Embiid once again. Cleveland will be without Evan Mobley, but they have enough talent on the roster to make up for his absence. 

The line is a little long at 9.5 points. But the 76ers are 1-9-2 ATS this month. Cleveland has gone 5-5 against the spread and 3-2 on the road. It’s a big line, but we’re taking the Cavs and laying the points anyway.

New Orleans Pelicans vs. Memphis Grizzlies: Grizzlies -11.5 at -110 (DraftKings)

Memphis has arguably the best offense in the NBA this season. While they aren’t great on the defensive end of the court, they are not awful either. New Orleans is riding a four-game winning streak into tonight’s contest and should feel a level of confidence. 

However, they do not have the depth to hang with the Grizzlies while down three starters (Herb Jones, Brandon Ingram, and Zion Williamson). It’s a big spread, but the Grizzlies are up for the challenge.

Best Bets Jan. 24: NCAAM

St. Bonaventure Bonnies vs. VCU Rams: Bonnies +12 at -108 (DraftKings)

*Give the under some serious thought as well.

The Bonnies closed out 2024 on New Year’s Eve with a win over the Rams, 77-75. But this time around, St. Bonaventure is dealing with injuries to three key players. They’ve also lost four of their last five and aren’t playing good basketball.

It will be hard to overcome the injuries against a good VCU defense. But the Bonnies defense will slow down VCU’s lackluster offense, making for a relatively low-scoring game. Even with the injuries, the Bonnies will be able to keep it within 12 points.

Saint Joseph’s vs. Dayton: Saint Joseph’s +5.5 at -102 (FanDuel)

Dayton is typically the crown jewel of the A-10. They even entered the season as the betting favorite to win the conference regular season championship. But a trio of conference losses now has them on the outside looking in. 

The Hawks have a solid defense that can keep Dayton’s shooters from heating up. But if they can heat up from behind the arc, there’s a solid chance these guys can pull off the upset against a struggling Flyers squad. They’ll at least keep it relatively close.