The NBA regular season is back in action with an excellent slate of games this Monday, with a total of nine matchups on the docket scheduled for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. So, our staff of basketball betting experts dug into the latest odds and identified NBA picks for six of today's matchups.
Continue below for our NBA picks, odds, props, and predictions for Monday, January 19.
NBA Picks, Odds, Props, Predictions: Monday, January 19
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 1 p.m. | |
  | 5 p.m. | |
  | 5 p.m. | |
  | 7 p.m. | |
  | 7:30 p.m. | |
  | 8 p.m. | |
Specific betting recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our NBA Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game. | ||
Bucks vs. Hawks
By Kyle Murray
Giannis Antetokounmpo has been up-and-down of late, as he has been monitored pretty closely from a minutes perspective, but he has recently topped out at 33 minutes.
As a result, I am projecting him for 32 minutes in this game, which has just a 2.5-point spread.
This is a highly favorable matchup for Giannis. So, in those 32 minutes, I project him for 49.4 Points + Rebounds + Assists.
Pick: Giannis Antetokounmpo Over 44.5 Points, Rebounds, & Assists (-125)
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Jazz vs. Spurs
By Bet Labs
This NBA system targets first half moneyline opportunities where strong teams often start slow against inferior opponents.
During the regular season, underdogs with modest Pythagorean ratings face elite opponents with high win records who may be pacing themselves or conserving energy early in games.
These matchups frequently occur when the superior team is in cruise control, relying on second half adjustments rather than urgency in the opening quarters.
Meanwhile, the underdog typically plays with early intensity and effort, creating value in short term situations before talent disparity takes over.
By isolating first halves against top competition, this system leverages motivational imbalance and situational focus to identify profitable early game edges.
Pick: Jazz First Half Moneyline (+400)
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Mavericks vs. Knicks
By Kyle Murray
Brandon Williams is projecting as a fade here, as he gets a rough matchup against the Knicks.
But also, Cooper Flagg has a chance to return to the Mavericks' lineup for this game.
Flagg's return would hurt Williams on all fronts, including minutes and usage.
Pick: Brandon Williams Under 21.5 Points & Assists (-112)
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Pacers vs. 76ers
By Joe Dellera
The 76ers face off against the Pacers on MLK day and this is a matchup that Joel Embiid should dominate.
Embiid loves playing the Pacers. In the games against Indiana where he’s played his typical minutes, Embiid has scored 30+ in all of them, including a 39-point effort this season.
Indiana simply does not have an answer for him, as they are extremely weak on the interior.
Joel is averaging 27.5 points per game over his last 10 outings, and I expect him to keep up his strong scoring.
While he’s listed on the injury report for this first game of a back-to-back, this is an extremely strong matchup for him, and we’ll just take a void if he sits out.
Pick: Joel Embiid Over 26.5 Points (-115)
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Suns vs. Nets
By Bet Labs
This NBA system targets regular season matchups where fatigue and overvaluation intersect to create an edge for visiting teams.
Home teams that have played multiple games in a short span, often three-to-five within five days, tend to experience a drop in energy and defensive consistency despite the advantage of being on their own court.
The market often overlooks this subtle fatigue effect, assuming comfort at home offsets physical wear, but in reality, quick turnarounds and short rest lead to slower rotations, weaker transition defense, and less efficiency late in games.
Visiting teams facing these tired hosts, particularly when they are more rested and entering the matchup with focus and travel rhythm, tend to outperform expectations against the spread.
This setup consistently rewards bettors who recognize that rest and intensity outweigh location when home favorites are running on fumes.
Pick: Suns -8 (-110)
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Celtics vs. Pistons
By Bet Labs
This NBA system identifies value in large favorites that the betting public tends to fade.
It focuses on regular season games where the favorite opens with a significant spread yet receives limited betting support, often below 40%.
These are spots where the market overreacts to recent performances, particularly when the opponent is coming off a strong win by a large margin.
Public bettors often chase momentum and undervalue elite teams laying points, assuming the line is inflated.
Historically, these contrarian favorites outperform expectations as sharp money backs the undervalued side while casual bettors load up on the underdog.
This system exploits those perception gaps, capitalizing on strong teams that are capable of covering despite public skepticism.
Pick: Pistons -3.5 (-110)
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