NBA Best Bets for January 15: How to Bet Tonight’s Nationally Televised Games
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Spread Astaire
- January 15, 2025
Top NBA Pick: Los Angeles Lakers -4.5 (-108) at Bookmaker (visit our Bookmaker Review)
We have a fun slate in the NBA for tonight’s action.
There are two pro high-profile games on the board that will be nationally televised, and that will provide us with a good opportunity to make winning NBA picks at the top-rated sportsbooks.
Let’s dive right in and find the best way to approach these exciting matchups.
New York Knicks vs. Philadelphia 76ers
Wednesday, January 15, 2025 – 07:00 PM ET at Wells Fargo Center
This is a longtime rivalry between two cities that exists in every sport, including the NBA.
Knicks fans and Sixers fans love to hate each other, and regardless of how their season is going, a win over their rival means a lot to the winning organization and the fan base. So even though Philadelphia comes into this game struggling this season, their team will be fired up to try and make a statement against their rival, the New York Knicks.
Philadelphia Falls Short
The 76ers are one of the biggest disappointments in basketball this season.
This team had a regular season win total of 48 and was considered the third favorite to win the Eastern Conference title. The Sixers are currently 15-22 mired in 11th place in the Eastern Conference. If the season were to end today, Philadelphia would not make the playoffs.
Injuries and Inconsistency
Philadelphia’s problems have been a combination of injuries and lackluster play from their top players.
All of Philadelphia’s stars have missed time this season but most important is the lack of play from Joel Embiid. Paul George has not been durable either, and the big splash they made in free agency is not paying off. Tyrese Maxey has been a bright spot for the 76ers organization this season but he has also missed time.
The 76ers had a breakout rookie Jared McCain, and that bright spot was diminished when McCain was injured and he is out for the season. And in what has been a theme for the Philadelphia 76ers this season, all three of their top players are questionable for tonight’s game and will be game time decisions.
New York’s Road to Redemption
The New York Knicks are excelling this season and are currently 26-15 and 3rd in the Eastern Conference.
The Knicks have been playing great but have struggled as of late, losing four of their last six games. However, this is a long season, and there will be stretches of disappointing play. The question is how long will the Knicks continue to disappoint and when will they get back on track?
New York will definitely use this game as an opportunity to get things right against their struggling rival. Although the 76ers are low in the standings, a win over this team will still mean a lot to the fans. The Knicks have an excellent opportunity to make a statement tonight on national TV.
The Pick
I lean the New York Knicks to cover but the best bet in this game is the Over 219.
The Philadelphia 76ers have gone over this number in two of their last three games. The New York Knicks have gone over this number for four games in a row.
The Knicks are known for having a ferocious defense, but this season the team has been offensive-oriented. We will take advantage of that misconception and look for the teams to put up points.
NBA Pick: Knicks/76ers Over 219.5 (-110) at Bookmaker
Miami Heat vs. Los Angeles Lakers
Wednesday, January 15, 2025 – 10:00 PM ET at Crypto.com Arena
The Miami Heat will be in Los Angeles to take on the Lakers. The Lakers are currently 20-17 and 7th in the Western Conference. The Lakers have lost three games in a row and also had two games postponed due to the deadly fires in LA.
Lakers’ Early Momentum Fades
After a hot start to the year, the Lakers have returned to mediocre and they have been plagued with inconsistent play. The Lakers have good stars, but they have struggled on the defensive end of the ball and from getting quality production from their role players.
In an absolutely stacked Western Conference, the Lakers need to turn things around quickly or they’re going to put themselves in too big of a hole to make a run at the NBA Finals this season.
Jimmy Butler Saga
The Miami Heat are currently embroiled in a controversy surrounding their star Jimmy Butler. Butler has asked to be traded, and the Heat want to fulfill this request.
The problem is the market for Butler is tepid.
Aging Star, High Demands
Butler is 35 years old, has seen his athleticism start to wane and expects a lucrative contract extension from whatever team he plays for next.
Butler has caused problems and forced his way out of every team that he has played for. Because of Butler’s age, his huge contract demands, and his penchant for causing problems when things aren’t going well, it is to be expected that the market for Butler is quite small. Unless you think you can win this year, there’s no reason to trade for a player like Butler. Butler will miss tonight’s game as part of a seven-game suspension by the Miami organization for conduct detrimental to the team.
Fatigue and Uncertainty
With the controversy swirling around the team, the Heat have been inconsistent as of late.
Miami is 3-4 over their last seven games. They looked great in a 114-98 win against the Warriors but looked poor in a 109-98 loss to the Clippers. Tonight’s contest will be the last game of a six-game road trip. The Heat will definitely be dealing with some fatigue as well as the lack of chemistry and continuity.
The Pick
I like the Lakers to bounce back here in a favorable scheduling spot for them.
Although the Lakers have plenty of distractions with the fires, they still will have a rest advantage going against the tired Miami team. The Lakers have the personnel to match up with Miami. Anthony Davis should have a big game against Bam Adebayo.
This will be a good spot for Los Angeles to bounce back after their last disappointing performance. Take the Los Angeles Lakers -4.5.
NBA Pick: Los Angeles Lakers -4.5 (-108) at Bookmaker
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.
