NBA Betting Guide: Lines, Trends & Picks For Monday, Jan. 2

Today's NBA Betting Lines, Odds & Picks

It's the first Monday of the new year and it features a big 11-game slate. Let's start 2023 off with a few wins, shall we? Scroll down to see what games our BetQL model likes for today.

One trend to note is that the BetQL NBA model is on fire, going 35-15 (70%) on all NBA spread picks rated ⭐⭐⭐ and higher in the last 3 days for a total return of $1,043! Take advantage of BetQL's free trial and see all of today's best NBA bets, plus what the model is projecting for this week's NFL, NHL, and NCAA football and basketball games! Start your free trial today!

Heat at Clippers Prediction

The Miami Heat (19-18 SU, 13-23-1 ATS, 18-18-1 O/U) continue their road trip tonight against the Los Angeles Clippers (21-17 SU, 20-18 ATS, 16-22 O/U) who are returning home after five games on the road.

The Clippers are coming off two straight losses to the Celtics and Pacers, making tonight's game against the Heat a great opportunity to get back on track. Miami is playing its third game in four nights after beating the Jazz on New Year's Eve. I like the Clippers to cover -2.5 in this game because of how well they play at home. They've come out on top in four of their last five home games, winning those games by an average of 15 points. They've also held opponents to 95 points or less in three of those games and 105 or less in four. (I lean toward the under tonight as well.) I'd make sure both Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are playing in this one, and if they are, lay the points with the Clippers.

My pick: Clippers -2.5

Bulls at Cavaliers Prediction

The Chicago Bulls (16-20 SU, 18-17-1 ATS, 17-18-1 O/U) and the Cleveland Cavaliers (23-14 SU, 19-16-2 ATS, 17-20 O/U) meet for the second time in three days, but this time in Cleveland.

The Bulls have been playing some great basketball as of late. They've won five of their last seven games and are 5-1-1 against the spread in that span. The problem is, Chicago has played to its max potential in each of those wins, and I don't see that translating on the road tonight, especially in Cleveland where the Cavs have been dominant all season, going 16-4 SU and 12-6-2 ATS. The Cavs had 21 turnovers in their recent meeting with the Bulls, something that I don't see repeating itself tonight on their home floor. The Bulls also dominated the paint in that game, which is surprising with the frontcourt that Cleveland has. I know Darius Garland is questionable on the injury report, but even if he's out I'd still put my money on the Cavs to cover.

My pick: Cavs -4

Nuggets vs. Timberwolves Prediction

The Denver Nuggets (24-12 SU, 16-18-1 ATS, 16-19 O/U) are coming off a huge win over the Boston Celtics last night and now turn their attention to the Minnesota Timberwolves (16-21 SU, 14-23 ATS, 17-20 O/U).

This game is puzzling to me because the Nuggets opened as a -3 favorite but money has been coming in on the Wolves all morning and this line is now Denver -1.5. What's puzzling about this is that the Timberwolves have been terrible lately. They've lost their last six games, with their most recent loss at the hands of the Houston Rockets, and have failed to cover in five of those. It can't get much worse for Minnesota right now. I know the Nuggets played last night, but they are 2-1 SU and ATS this season on no rest and are 9-1 SU while playing at a rest disadvantage. This line movement could mean that Denver is going to sit a number of players, which in that case, I'd stay off this game. But if the Nuggets stars are in, I'd lay the points with the road team.

My pick: Nuggets -1.5

Take advantage of BetQL's free trial and see all of today's best NBA bets, including player props, plus what the model is projecting for every NFL, NHL and NCAA football and basketball game this week! Start your free trial today!