The NBA regular season is back in full swing with a loaded slate of games this Sunday, with a total of eight matchups on the docket scheduled for today, featuring a trio of early games, as Pistons vs. Cavaliers takes center stage at 2:00 p.m. ET, followed by Pacers vs. Magic at 3:00 p.m. ET and Nuggets vs. Nets at 3:30 p.m. ET, with four more games between 6:00 and 9:00 p.m. ET, and then we'll close out the evening with Grizzlies vs. Lakers at 9:30 p.m. ET.
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 Sunday, January 4.
NBA Picks, Odds, Props, Predictions: Sunday, January 4
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 2 p.m. | |
  | 3 p.m. | |
  | 3:30 p.m. | |
  | 6 p.m. | |
  | 8 p.m. | |
  | 9:30 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. | ||
Pistons vs. Cavaliers
By Action PRO
PRO projects Cavaliers forward De'Andre Hunter for 11.12 points today, a great 23.7% edge against the market when compared to his 13.5 line.
Hunter scored 13 points the only time he faced the Pistons this season, on October 27, and he is averaging 11.8 PPG in his last 10 games.
He has gone under this 13.5 line in four of his past five games and in 11 of the last 14 contests.
Hunter will face Detroit's 5th-best-ranked defense in points allowed per game (112.8).
Fade him today against the Pistons.
Pick: De'Andre Hunter Under 13.5 Points (-120)
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Pacers vs. Magic
By Bet Labs
Although the Magic have a 4-6 record in their last 10 games, our Bet Labs "Bet Struggling Favorites" system offers market insights and recommends picking them to cover the spread today.
The Pacers will visit Kia Center in Orlando, which is key for the Magic as they have an 11-5 record at home compared to 8-11 on the road.
Plus, Orlando just beat Indiana on December 31 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, 112-110.
This system identifies value in NBA conference games where favorites are struggling but still favored by the market.
When a team has recently underperformed yet remains favored, it suggests the betting line reflects long-term strength rather than short-term results.
These situations often create buying opportunities on quality teams that are due for positive regression after a rough stretch.
Facing familiar conference opponents adds familiarity and stability to performance expectations, while moderate spreads and balanced totals keep volatility in check.
This approach capitalizes on the overreaction to recent form, betting on strong teams to rebound once market sentiment has dipped too far against them.
Pick: Magic -6.5 (-110)
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Nuggets vs. Nets
By Bet Labs
The Nuggets have the best offense in the NBA, with 124.6 points per game, and the Nets will have a hard time holding them off.
Our Bet Labs "Undervalued vs. Bad Defense" system recommends going with Denver's moneyline today.
Despite their excellent season, the Nuggets are a short favorite mainly because of injuries.
The team will miss Nikola Jokic for a few more weeks, and Jamal Murray, Christian Braun and Aaron Gordon are dealing with issues, although at least Murray is expected to play today.
Even with those problems, the Nuggets should prevail against the Nets.
This system identifies NBA regular-season matchups where efficient but undervalued teams face opponents with poor defensive metrics.
When a team’s underlying performance indicators, such as Pythagorean strength, exceed public perception, the betting market often undervalues them against weak defensive opponents who allow high scoring efficiency.
These games typically feature modest moneylines that signal balance but overlook the defensive mismatch.
Slight movement toward the undervalued side reinforces that bettors are slowly recognizing the edge, yet the market remains mispriced.
Over recent seasons, this pattern has rewarded teams whose true performance levels are masked by variance while exploiting opponents that consistently fail to contain efficient offenses, creating a steady opportunity on the moneyline.
Pick: Nuggets ML -142
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Pelicans vs. Heat
By Bet Labs
The "Bad Road Overs" system focuses on NBA games where struggling road teams face stronger home opponents in non-conference matchups, creating favorable conditions for high-scoring results, such as this matchup between the Pelicans and the Heat.
When a poor road team with a low win rate meets a winning home team, defensive effort and intensity often dip for the visitor while the home side pushes the pace and controls offensive rhythm.
Non-conference games tend to feature looser defensive schemes and unfamiliar matchups, leading to faster scoring runs and less resistance in transition.
The data shows that when totals close above the 220 range and the line movement slightly favors the Over, the market correctly anticipates offensive efficiency rather than defensive pressure.
These situations consistently produce games where both teams exceed expectations, with the stronger home team dictating tempo and the weaker visitor contributing enough to push the total past the number.
Pick: Over 243.5 (-110)
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Thunder vs. Suns
By Action PRO
PRO projects Suns guard Devin Booker for 26.28 points tonight, a nice 16.5% edge against the market when compared to his 23.5 line.
He is averaging 25.7 points this season, and in his last 10 contests, that number increases to 27.6 points per game.
Despite only scoring 21 points against the Thunder in the only matchup against them this season, Booker has 26.1 PPG at home.
He has gone over this 23.5 line in five of his past eight games, so look for him to do it again tonight.
Pick: Devin Booker Over 23.5 Points (-114)
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Grizzlies vs. Lakers
By Bet Labs
The Reverse Line Movement Unders system targets NBA regular-season games where betting action and market movement are misaligned, and that is the case for this Grizzlies vs. Lakers closing matchup on Sunday.
When a majority of wagers lean heavily toward the Over, yet the total drops from open to close, it signals sharp money driving the line down despite public sentiment.
In these spots, both teams often come off recent games that exceeded expectations offensively, inflating totals and public confidence in high-scoring outcomes.
However, regression and defensive adjustments tend to follow, especially when oddsmakers shade lines higher to match demand.
This setup creates ideal conditions for value on the Under, as professional bettors anticipate a slower pace, shooting variance, or fatigue leading to lower scoring than the market expects.
Pick: Under 237.5 (-108)
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