NBA Best Bets Today: 3 of the Best NBA Picks For Today January 7

It's Tuesday, and seven games are on the NBA slate tonight! If you're looking to bet, several teams are coming off back-to-backs. That includes the Miami Heat, Dallas Mavericks, Phoenix Suns, and Minnesota Timberwolves.

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

With two primetime games scheduled on TNT, can the Dallas Mavericks stop the bleeding vs. a blazing Lakers team? 4-1 in their last five, can the Lakers take advantage of a Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic-less Mavericks? While the Maverick's recent strength of schedule has been unforgiving, they are riding a five-game losing skid.

For the late matchup, the former NBA Champion Boston Celtics will match up against the Denver Nuggets on the road. The Celtics will continue their road stretch after a brutal 105-92 loss vs. the Thunder on Sunday. Now they find themselves -5.5 favorites against a Nuggets team that's 4-1 in the last five games.

Below is the complete list of the NBA slate and FanDuel Odds for Tuesday, January 7:

• Houston Rockets (-12) (-720 ML) @ Washington Wizards (+12) (+520 ML): O/U 225
• Phoenix Suns (-4.5) (-184 ML) @ Charlotte Hornets (+4.5) (+154 ML): O/U 221.5
• Los Angeles Lakers (-7) (-275 ML) @ Dallas Mavericks (+7) (+220): O/U 219
• Minnesota Timberwolves (-5.5) (-215 ML) @ New Orleans Pelicans (+5.5 ) (+180 ML): O/U 220.5
• Atlanta Hawks (-6.5) (-255 ML) @ Utah Jazz (+6.5) (+205 ML): O/U 236.5
• Boston Celtics (-6) (+250 ML) @ Denver Nuggets (+6) (+205 ML): O/U 235.5
• Miami Heat (+9) (+310 ML) @ Golden State Warriors (-9) (-390 ML): O/U 218

NBA Odds Are Current As of January 7 at 8 A.M. ET

In this article, I will provide my three best bets for the Tuesday NBA slate! If you're looking to stay in the green, I am up nearly six units betting on the NBA this month.

With the primetime games scheduled for 7:30 and 10 p.m. ET, the Suns and Hornets will kick off the night at 7 p.m. The Heat and Warriors will match up at 10 p.m. ET to conclude the night.

If you're looking to tail my bets, I've placed all of my plays today within FanDuel sportsbook. Keeping continuous bankroll management in mind, I've wagered all bets as separate plays. That includes a mix of player prop and spread picks.  Let's take a deep look into my best bets for today!

Are you looking to bet on the NBA all season long? Here at Ballislife Bets, we've gathered a complete list of the best sports betting offers here. 

NBA Best Bets For Tuesday, January 7

 Player Prop Best Bet #1: Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant 2024-2025 Season Stats

G: 24| PPG: 27.4| FG: 52 % | FT: 83.9 % | 3PT : 41.9 % | REB: 6.5 | AST: 4.0 | STL: 0.8 | BLK: 1.3

• Over 25.5 Points (+100 FanDuel)

My first best bet for today, I placed one unit on Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant to record over 25.5 points vs the Charlotte Hornets.

Although the line has increased, how can I not take this for plus money!? It's Kevin Durant, aka Easy Money Sniper. One of the best shooters in the game, Durant is truly a player who can score anywhere on the hardwood. Now he gets a prime matchup with the Hornets.

Let's face it, the Hornets have a 7-27 win loss record, and remain in the basement among NBA teams. Surprisingly they haven't been among the worst defensively. Giving up 112.5 points per game, Charlotte ranks no. 18 in defensive rating. A general upgrade from last season, they lack in several defensive categories.

Allowing the 15th most points to forwards, eight of the last ten at that position have soared over their prop lines. That includes Tobias Harris, who dropped 24 points on January 3, and Paul George, who scorched them for 33 points. Allowing the 6th most three-point attempts per game (39.1), the Hornets will face Durant, who's averaging the most three-pointers (5.7) since the 2017-2018 season.

• With a 41.9 deep ball percentage on the year, Durant has a massive opportunity tonight.

It's Up To Kevin Durant To Break The Slump

Given the Hornets give up over 23 points to forwards, over 25.5 points may be risky. Yet to notch over 25.5 points in January, Durant is still averaging a solid 24 points per game. Scoring over 25.5 points in 7/10 games in December, Durant has been the constant for this struggling Suns squad. And now with Beal coming off the bench, can Durant help stop the bleeding? Playing near 40 minutes per game, this may be easy money, and here's why.

Through injuries and what not, it's evident head coach Mike Budenholzer is desperate to get his team back on track. Will benching Beal and Jusuf Nurkic affect Durant's production? That's yet to be seen. Pouring in 23 points in last night's victory, Durant should have the upper edge tonight. Especially given Devin Booker's production has been spiraling. Of those 23 points, eight of them came within under three minutes.

• Booker last tallied 3-16 from the field, and is shooting under 35 percent from the field over the last 10 games.

If anyone is going to get the Suns out of this mess, it has to be Kevin Durant. The 5th NBA leader in scoring, KD has been red hot over a 10 game stretch. Putting up 29.3 points per game, the forward's averaging at least 25 points on the road.

• And let's forget about back-t0-back matchups, Durant has three consecutive 30+ games on zero rest.

Final NBA Best Bet Pick and Prediction Today: Kevin Durant Over 25.5 Points (+100 FanDuel)

Overall, Durant has soared over 25.5 points in 8/14 games with Beal and Booker. Given Durant is shooting 64.3 % from the field and 57.1 percent beyond the arc in January, he remains the sole consistent scorer for the Suns.

For +100 odds, I'll gladly lay the points with Kevin Durant tonight. Although failing to eclipse the 26 point mark in four straight vs the Hornets, Durant has managed to put up 28 shot attempts in the last two games. That includes the big three, with Beal off the bench. With Royce O'Neale out for tonight contest, I expect Durant to have increased production tonight.

• Since KD is averaging nearly 30 points per game over the last 10 outings, I have to take the over. Give me slim reaper, aka Kevin Durant to score over 25.5 points tonight.

Spread Best Bet #2: Houston Rockets vs Washington Wizards

Rockets 2024-2025 ATS Record: 20-15
Wizards 2024-2025 ATS Record: 12-20-1

• Houston Rockets -11.5 (-120 FanDuel)

My second best bet of the night, I placed one unit on the Houston Rockets to cover the 11.5 favorable spread vs the Washington Wizards.

Sure, the Rockets are on the road, and I do believe this line will creep up as the day goes on. However, one of the best teams in the Western Conference, the Rockets are the real deal. No. 2 with a 23-12 record, this is a young team that's out for blood. Led by former Celtics head coach Ime Udoka, the Rockets remain one of the most elite teams on the defensive end.

I will admit I don't normally love to bet on large spreads. However, these two teams are trending in opposite directions. With a 20-15 record ATS, the Rockets are 9-7 ATS on the road. Opening as 9.5 point favorites, the line has been trending only upwards. That signals to me, the Wizards have a possible significant injury announcement. With that said, Malcom Brogdon has already been ruled out for tonight's matchup. In addition, Jordan Poole, Bilal Coulibaly, and Carlton Carrington all remain game time decisions.

If Poole and Coulibaly are unable to suit up, I can see the line increasing to 15 or more.

Aside from injuries, there's several reasons why I'm hot on the Rockets to cover tonight. They face a team that doesn't have a true identity. Averaging less than 110 points per game, the Wizards certainly have depth. However, with Jordan Poole leading the way with 21.8 points, this team lacks the star power to truly compete.

Are The Wizards The Worst Team In The NBA?

I do feel as though I always repeat myself when it comes to the Wizards. Normally I cash out betting against them, and this is a team that has only six wins on the season. While they've covered gigantic spreads vs the Celtics (+17), and Knicks (+13), let's face it, they've been blown out recently.

No disrespect to the Pelicans, however, the Wizards dropped two straight vs New Orleans this week. And to put it lightly, the matchups haven't been close. With a -24 point differential vs a 7-29 Pelicans team, the task won't get much easier tonight.

I'll call it as I see it. Boasting a +5.9 point differential, the Rockets should easily take care of the Wizards by more than double figures. With Washington averaging an NBA worst -12.9 point differential. they are no. 28 and no. 30 in defensive and offensive rating. Now we get a showdown featuring the worst offensive in the league against a prolific defensive squad.

The Rockets Destroyed The Wizards In Their Last Outing

Over the last 10 games, we know the Rockets couldn't hang with the Celtics or Thunder. Aside from those matchups, we've seen the Rockets cover hefty spreads vs the Mavericks, Pelicans, and Hornets. More specifically, the Rockets are 3-2 ATS when favored by six points or more over the last 10 outings. Last favored by 11.5 points twice, the Rockets split the spread 1-1 with the Trail Blazers.

• Ironically, their largest favorable spread was 12 points against the Wizards back on November 11. In that lone matchup, Houston routed Washington 107-92.

Thanks to Alperen Sengun's monstrous performance, the Rockets cruised to a 15 point victory over the Wizards. In control though four quarters, not one Wizard player exceeded 20 points. Dominated on the boards by more than 20, Washington could barely buy a shot. That included trips at the charity stripe.

Overall, the Rockets haven't played their best ball of late. 4-6 ATS and 2-3 in their last five games, that may not seem convincing.

• Rest assured, the Wizard are 4-1-4 in the last five, and haven't been able to cover significant spreads.

Final NBA Best Bet Pick and Prediction Today: Houston Rockets -11.5 (-120 FanDuel)

This is a Rockets team that limits opponents to 44.2 % from the field, and 34.8 three-point attempts per game. With the fourth worst field goal percentage in the NBA (44.6 %), the Wizards are the third worst three-point percentage team ( 33 %).

I don't expect this game to be overly attractive, especially since neither team is a prime three-point shooting squad. I do expect the Rockets to dominate once again on the glass, second chance points, and at the free-throw line. Especially given the Wizards allow the second most trips to the line. Better yet, I expect the defense to continue to soar.

I'm glad I grabbed this line early, especially if injuries pile up for the Wizards. Rather than just one star, the Rockets have a ton of young talent. It's important to note Jabari Smith Jr is out for tonight's game, and Jalen Green is listed as questionable.

• Unless the Rockets completely unfold, I didn't have to think twice on this one. I'll lay the 11.5 point spread with the Houston Rockets tonight. 

 Player Prop Best Bet #3: Steph Curry

Steph Curry 2024-2025 Season Stats

G: 28| PPG: 22.5 | FG: 45.2 % | FT: 92.8 % | 3PT : 42 % | REB: 4.9 | AST: 6.3 | STL: 1.1 | BLK: 0.5

• Over 5.5 Assists (-136 FanDuel)

My last best bet for today, I placed one unit on Warriors star Steph Curry to record over 5.5 assists vs the Miami Heat.

Yes, this line is slightly juiced at -136 odds, however it still has value. Coming off one days rest, Curry tends to facilitate the rock more than anything. Tallying over 5.5 assists in three of the last five games, here's why I love this player prop for tonight

Amid the news of Jimmy Butler, now is the time for Curry and the Warriors to capitalize off a disgruntled team. Averaging 6.3 assists on the year, this prop line is well below that average. With other news, the absence of Brandin Podziemski, Jonathan Kuminga, and Gary Payton II surely affects the line.

If you've been following the NBA, Curry doesn't need to carry this team on his back night in and night out. Although they started off as one of the hottest teams in the NBA, they've fallen off just a bit. At 18-17, Curry still has a ton of talent around him. That includes Draymond Green, Andrew Wiggins, Buddy Hield, and newly acquired Dennis Schröder (just to name a few).

Expect Steph Curry To Bounce Back

While coming off a rare zero assist night vs the Kings, Curry was coming off 10 the game prior vs the 76ers. Averaging 6.5 dimes in December, don't let last games numbers fool you. Averaging the most A/40 (8.1) since the 2019-2020 season, they face the Heat, who allow the 10th most assists per game (26.8). Since the Heat give up the 5th most dimes to point guards, it's Curry's time to shine.

There's no doubt in my mind Curry can facilitate at a high level. Averaging 6.4 assists at home, the Warriors put up the 8th most assists per game with 28.7.

• Leading the Warriors with 10.2 potential assists per game, over 15 % of his assists are going to Wiggins and Green.

Final NBA Best Bet Pick and Prediction Today: Steph Curry Over 5.5 Assists (-136 FanDuel)

Overall, the Heat have allowed six straight point guards to record over 5.5 assists. Since the end of December, we saw Trae Young dazzle for 15 dimes, and Tyrese Haliburton with 15 earlier this week. With that said, Curry get's another favorable matchup with the Heat. Averaging 8.6 dimes vs the Heat over the last five outings, Curry's lowest assists total equaled five.

Now with Schröder in the lineup, Curry has recorded over 5.5 assists in seven of the last 10 games. Tonight is a perfect opportunity to get back on track against the Heat.

• Aside from last matchup, Curry is averaging 6.0 assists over the last seven games. Among the NBA's top assist leader I'll take Curry to record over 5.5 today.