NBA Expert Picks For Wednesday, Jan. 18

NBA Picks, Predictions

Another day of NBA action means another day of tough decisions for bettors. To help you make the best bets today, the BetQL editors have picked a few of their favorite NBA bets below using key trends, data and picks from the BetQL NBA model.

One trend to note is that the BetQL NBA model is on fire, going 111-21 (61%) on all picks in the last seven days for a total return of $1,645 on $100 bets! 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 basketball games! Start your free trial today!

Kate Constable: Mavericks -2 vs. Hawks

The Hawks are on the three-game win streak and enter tonight’s game after an impressive shooting performance against the Heat on Monday. The Mavs have been struggling lately, losing four of their last five, all of which were on the road. However, Dallas returns home tonight where it performs much better. This is also a nationally televised game that’s receiving a ton of attention because of the trade that went down in the 2018 draft when the Hawks selected Luka Dončić third overall before trading him to the Mavs for Trae Young. In games where Luka has something to prove, he shows up, which will be the case tonight. Dallas could also get Dorian Finney-Smith and Josh Green back in the lineup tonight, giving Dallas a big boost on both sides of the floor.

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Dan Karpuc: Thunder -4 vs. Pacers

Tyrese Haliburton is out with two separate injuries, which is very bad news for the Pacers, who enter this game on a four-game losing streak. Indiana has also failed to cover in four of its last five contests and will be forced to create points without its leader on the floor. Meanwhile, the Thunder have covered the spread six consecutive times and have won five of those six outright, so they have much better momentum than Indiana. OKC has gone 10-3 ATS in its last 13 home games as the young core of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddey and Co. has been playing some excellent ball lately. Losing Haliburton matters a ton for this Indiana team since he typically eats up so much offensive usage; I intend on taking advantage while he’s out.

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Lucy Burdge: Thunder -4 vs. Pacers

The Thunder have been a spread-covering machine, having covered in their last six games and winning outright in five of those six. They’ve also covered their last three spreads at home. The Pacers, meanwhile, have lost their last four games and have failed to cover in four of their last five. They've also lost four straight on the road, covering in just one of those losses, so I like the Thunder to cover this one at home tonight.

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Brad Pinkerton: Wizards at Knicks +130 Parlay

BetMGM NBA OGP Insurance Play of the Day

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Here is my play for today, switching up the strategy slightly to remove spreads from the equation: Find a comfortable favorite of 5-8 points, preferably at home, take the favorite to go over its lowest team total, the 'dog to go under its highest team total and then "middle" the game total (can only lose a maximum of one leg there). There's less reward than trying to middle both the total and spread, but there's also less risk here and still a good shot at getting insurance if it doesn't hit. You can apply this strategy to any NBA game, any night:

WAS-NYK Over 212.5
WAS-NYK Under 232.5
Knicks Over 104.5
Wizards Under 118.5
OGP odds: +130

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MORE NBA: TODAY’S BETTING GUIDE | TOP PLAYER PROPS

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 basketball games! Start your free trial today!