The Cleveland Cavaliers shocked the world by beating the short-handed Brooklyn Nets for the second straight game, once again proving that anything can happen in the NBA. Tonight’s slate features a number of large favorites but as we have seen time and time again, spreads don’t dictate winners.
Here are the top NBA betting plays for Saturday, January 23, provided by BettingPros experts Raju Byfield, Isaiah Sirois, and Vaughn Dalzell (Main game odds courtesy BettingPros Consensus; lock and prop odds sites may vary):
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Betting Locks of the Day
Byfield: Nets -7.5 (-110 at FD Sportsbook)
The Nets have been in a massive funk lately but are going up against the perfect team to help them get things back in order. Kevin Durant will be back in the lineup tonight against a Miami Heat team that has had their own struggles this season. Making matters worse for the Heat, Jimmy Butler (COVID protocol), Tyler Herro (neck), Meyers Leonard (shoulder), and Avery Bradley (COVID protocol) will all be sidelined.
Best Team Prop of the Day
Byfield: Nets 1st Quarter over 30.5 points (-118 at FD Sportsbook)
The Nets have struggled in their last two contests but will have a chance to get things back in order against a depleted Miami Heat team. The Heat have allowed 30.6 points per first quarter on the season and will be facing one of the most explosive offenses in the NBA. The new Big 3 is going through an adjustment period but should be able to start hot with Kevin Durant back in the lineup. Only poor shooting all around should prevent a Brooklyn team in the top-10 in first quarter points per game from
Best Player Prop of the Day
Byfield: Luka Doncic over 9.5 assists (-148 at FD Sportsbook)
Luka has been on fire in the assist department this season, averaging a stellar 9.6 assists per game. The juice continues to soar on this player prop, but if you are willing to suffer the juice it is an excellent play. Luka will be taking on a Rockets team not exactly known for their defense and comes into the game hitting 10 or more assists in four of his five last contests. If we look to extend the sample, he has hit 10 or more assists in seven of his last nine games. The two contests he failed to hit at least 10 assists? He recorded nine assists in both. This is one of the props with the highest probabilities on the board, but the juice suggests that the line may change before game time. Lock this in sooner rather than later to avoid disappointment.
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