NBA Odds, Picks & Predictions: Saturday (1/31)
The NBA has some exciting matchups today. Below are our top NBA picks & predictions for Saturday, January 31st.
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Saturday’s NBA Best Bets & Picks
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Chicago Bulls at Miami Heat (-4.5) | O/U 222.5 (-115/-105)
The Heat have controlled this series by winning both matchups, including a 143-107 victory back in November. The favorable part for the Heat is that both games were on the road, so they play the final two games in this series in South Beach. Both games take place this weekend. Consistency has been a problem for this team. Over their last 13 games, they are just 6-7.
The Bulls are another team with a consistency problem. After winning four straight, they come into this game losing three in a row. In their last matchup, poor shooting did them in, shooting just 39% from the floor. They have shot 40.2% from the floor in the two matchups, the lowest rate among teams they've played multiple times this season. They did not have Josh Giddey in the last game as he continues to deal with the hamstring issue that kept him to just 34 games, and it's likely he won't play in both matchups this weekend.
Miami has had full control against the Bulls this season and could continue that in this matchup.
Pick: Heat -4.5 (-115)
Dallas Mavericks at Houston Rockets (-10.5) | O/U 222.5 (-115/-105)
The Mavericks have hit a wall, dropping three straight after winning four in a row. There is a bright spot and optimism for the future, as Cooper Flagg is starting to live up to the hype. In his first 19 games, Flagg averaged 15.7 points per game; in his last 25 games, he's averaging 22.3 points per game, including a 49-point performance and becoming the first teenager in NBA history to reach that point total.
The Rockets recently went through a tough stretch, losing a season-high three straight games, but they have regained momentum, winning seven of their next 10. Their defense has been carrying them during this recent run, allowing fewer than 112 points in 15 of their last 16 games, and they are fourth in points allowed per game since January 1st (106.3).
Unfortunately, Flagg isn’t getting much help, especially with all the injuries the Mavericks have been dealing with. This feels like a game the Rockets could run away with.
Pick: Rockets -10.5 (-115)