The NBA’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day slate is one of the most exciting of the year. There are 11 basketball games today, with start times ranging from 1 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. ET.
Here are my best bets for today’s NBA MLK games.
All NBA odds are current as of Monday, Jan. 15, at 10 a.m. ET.
Garrett Chorpenning’s NBA predictions betting record: 70-79-2 (-24.52 units)
NBA MLK Day Best Bets
Spurs +8 (-110) @ Hawks
bet365 Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 Unit
The Spurs may be 7-31 on the year, but they’ve looked like a different team in January. San Antonio has gone 2-4 in the month, but it’s also posted a +38 point differential in those six games, keeping losses close while earning blowout victories over the Pistons and Hornets.
Meanwhile, the Hawks are in their worst shape of the season. Atlanta enters today’s action on the heels of a 127-99 loss to the Wizards, and it has lost four of its last five overall.
With Dejounte Murray trade rumors swirling, it’s no surprise to see the Hawks slipping up. The situation makes for an excellent opportunity for Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs to come in and cover as road underdogs.
Lock in San Antonio with your NBA bet of the day.
Pelicans -4.5 (-110) @ Mavericks
bet365 Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 Unit
The Pelicans defeated the Mavericks on Saturday, 118-108, without Zion Williamson (quad), Brandon Ingram (Achilles), or CJ McCollum (ankle).
All three are expected to be available tonight as New Orleans looks to pick up another key win over its division rival.
- Read more on these top matchups in our best NBA prop bets today.
That’s bad news for Dallas, which will likely be without Luka Dončić (ankle) for the third game in a row. Kyrie Irving can pick up the slack in his absence — he’s averaged 38.5 points per game in his last two — but defeating the Pelicans requires a well-rounded team effort.
Look for New Orleans to cover with ease as 4.5-point favorites.
Celtics @ Raptors: Over 242 Points (-110)
bet365 Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 Unit
Toronto home games have generally been a spot to back the Under, but that hasn’t been the case lately. Since the Raptors acquired RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley, they’ve scored 123.9 points per game and allowed 126.9 across seven contests.
Six of Toronto’s last seven games have gone Over 242 points, with the lone Under coming on the road in Memphis.
- Check out our best NBA parlays for today if you’re feeling gutsy.
Meanwhile, five of Boston’s last 10 have gone Over this projected total, including three of its last four. The Celtics have been scoring in bunches lately, but they’ve also given up 120-plus points five times since Dec. 28.
It’s hard to trust the Raptors’ defense right now. Take the Over.
NBA MLK Day Betting Odds
Use our top NBA lines to place the best wagers throughout the NBA season:
