NBA Expert Picks For Monday, Jan. 23

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 has been crushing total picks, going 14-6 (70%) on all O/U picks in the last three days for a total return of $672 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: Magic +7.5 vs. Celtics

The Celtics are going to be shorthanded tonight with Malcolm Brogdon and Marcus Smart both already ruled out and Robert Williams listed as questionable. For whatever reason, the Magic get up for games against Boston. They’ve already beat the Celtics outright twice this season and only lost by six in the other meeting. This is also the front end of a back-to-back for Boston with Miami on deck tomorrow night. That feels like a bit of a look-ahead spot with that game being a rematch of last year’s Eastern Conference Finals.

Dan Karpuc: Magic +7.5 vs. Celtics

I’m currently 117-80 (59.4%) on ATS & O/U NBA picks here at BetQL and I’m trying to get back over the 60% mark. All I need is three straight wins to start the week and that’ll happen. Let’s start out by backing the Magic to cover at home against a Celtics team that will definitely be without Marcus Smart (ankle), Malcolm Brogdon (personal) and most likely Robert Williams (knee). Can Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown carry Boston? Yes. However, they’ll be shorthanded against a suddenly-healthy Magic team that is getting back Jonathan Isaac, who will make his season debut. Orlando has gone 13-8-2 ATS at home this season, while the Celtics have gone 4-6-1 ATS in their last 11 road games. Not only that, but the Magic have surprisingly gone 21-11 ATS versus teams that have shot 46%+ from the field on the year. Oh, and Orlando has gone 2-1 STRAIGHT UP against the Celtics this season and has covered the spread in all three meetings against them.

Lucy Burdge: Magic +7.5 vs. Celtics

The Celtics might be rolling right now when it comes to winning, but covering the spread is not a sure thing for them. They haven’t covered in their last two games, both as favorites. Meanwhile, the Magic have covered in four of their last five games. But the most important factor here is the Magic have covered all three times against the Celtics this season. Since the Magic have already proven they can certainly cover the spread against these Celtics, I see them doing it once again tonight.

Brad Pinkerton: Blazers-Spurs +125 One-Game 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:

Spurs-Blazers Over 231.5
Spurs-Blazers Under 251.5
Blazers Over 114.5
Spurs Under 126.5
OGP odds: +125

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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!