It’s a light day of action in the NBA with just three games on the schedule, but there is still plenty of betting value to be found in today’s basketball odds.
That includes Atlanta, where the Hawks will host Los Angeles Clippers. Not many would have thought the Hawks would be an Under bettors’ dream before the season, but that’s exactly what they are. And that will have a chance to continue as the Clippers will be without their two big guns for this matchup.
We break down the basketball odds for that and more with our best free NBA picks and predictions for Tuesday, January 26.
NBA Picks for Today
Los Angeles Clippers vs Atlanta Hawks
The Los Angeles Clippers will be shorthanded, to say the least, when they visit the Atlanta Hawks Tuesday, as both Kawhi Leonard and Paul George will be out due to COVID-19 protocols. Will the Hawks take advantage of this matchup, or is there betting value somewhere else to be found?
The Hawks have been a surprising Under darling for NBA bettors, going 4-12 O/U thanks to an unexpectedly strong defense this season. The Hawks rank seventh in defensive rating and fourth in opponent field goal percentage.
Meanwhile, the high-flying Hawks' offense has been a little more grounded this season, ranking 14th in scoring and 24th in shooting percentage. Additionally, Trae Young, Clint Capela, Danilo Gallinari, and Cam Reddish are all nursing some bumps and bruises and are listed as game-time decisions.
It will be interesting to see where the Clippers get their scoring in this game. Leonard and George combine for nearly 50 points per game. So, that means that the Clippers will be relying on the likes of Lou Williams and Serge Ibaka, to carry the load for an offense that is one of the slowest in the NBA and ranks 29th in pace. All that considered, we’re on board for another Hawks Under in this one.
PREDICTION: Under 221.5 (-110)
Washington Wizards vs Houston Rockets
Boogie is back! Or at least, we’re hoping he is. While Tuesday’s matchup between the Washington Wizards and the Houston Rockets is all about the traded All-Star point guards in Russell Westbrook and John Wall, people may be overlooking DeMarcus Cousins’ resurgence.
After playing sparing minutes over his first 10 games with the Rockets, an injury to Christian Wood has given Cousins an opportunity, and he has made the most of it. The former four-time All-star has pulled down 32 boards while dishing out 12 assists in his last two games and is coming off a 28-point performance against Dallas. Most importantly. The Rockets won both of those games.
Cousins and the Rockets now face a Wizards defense that is one of the worst in the Association. On top of ranking 29th in defensive rating, they rank 22nd in rebounding percentage and 20th in opponent total rebounds per game. With Wood expected to miss at least this game, expect Cousins to get some more run against a Wizards team whose best rebounder is their point guard.
PREDICTION: DeMarcus Cousins Over 11.5 Rebounds (-120)
New York Knicks vs Utah Jazz
The New York Knicks and Utah Jazz close out the NBA’s light schedule with a nightcap in Salt Lake City. The Jazz will be out for revenge in this matchup of elite defenses after the Knicks upset them at Madison Square Garden 112-100 as 7.5-point underdogs back on Jan. 6.
Unfortunately for the Knicks, they have won just three games since then, while the Jazz have seemingly used that game as motivation, having won eight in a row after that defeat.
The Jazz offense has been improving all the time during this run, but their strength still lies on the defensive end, and that doesn’t bode well for the Knicks. New York ranks dead last in the NBA in scoring, averaging just 101.9 points per game, and rank 25th in offensive rating and field goal percentage. That has led to some slow starts, as the Knicks manage just 50.9 first-half points per game.
Meanwhile, the Jazz rank second in the NBA in opponent first-half scoring, giving up just 51.2 points per contest before the break. With the altitude in Utah, bet the Knicks to have a slow start in this one.
PREDICTION: Knicks Under 50.5 First Half Team Total (-110)
Top NBA Consensus for Today
Want to know who today's biggest NBA betting and consensus bets are right now? Check out our top NBA consensus picks.
Yesterday's picks: 1-1 (-0.09 units)
Season record to date: 48-41-1 (+3.28 units)
NBA Betting Card for January 26
- LAC-ATL Under 221.5 (-110)
- DeMarcus Cousins Over 11.5 Rebounds (-120)
- Knicks Under 50.5 First Half Team Total (-110)
NBA Parlays
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