The NBA regular season is back in action with an excellent slate of games this Thursday, with a total of eight matchups on the docket scheduled for today. So, our staff of basketball betting experts dug into the latest odds and identified NBA picks for six of tonight's matchups.
Continue below for our NBA picks, odds, props, and predictions for Thursday, January 29.
NBA Picks, Odds, Props, Predictions: Thursday, January 29
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 7 p.m. | |
  | 7 p.m. | |
  | 8 p.m. | |
  | 8 p.m. | |
  | 9 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. | ||
Bucks vs. Wizards
By Joe Dellera
The Washington Wizards face off against the Bucks on Thursday night, and I’m targeting one of Washington’s youngsters.
Tre Johnson has been solid for the Wizards in his rookie season, averaging 13.1 points in 25.5 minutes per game. The key lately is that he has seen an uptick in his usage and in his minutes.
During January, he’s up to 29.4 minutes and 14.8 point per game, but lately he’s been up in the mid 30s, which is a key development, as he’s cleared this mark in three straight games.
This matchup against the Bucks is advantageous for him as well.
The Bucks are obviously missing Giannis Antetokounmpo, which tanks their defense, and they are also extremely weak against spot-up shooters, particularly from beyond the arc — all things that align with Tre’s strengths.
So, I’ll back the rookie on Thursday.
Pick: Tre Johnson Over 17.5 Points (-112)
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Kings vs. 76ers
By Bet Labs
This NBA system focuses on games where struggling road teams face stronger home opponents in non-conference matchups, creating favorable conditions for high scoring results.
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 229.5 (-110)
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Rockets vs. Hawks
By Kyle Murray
This number seems oddly low, and the spread for this game seems weird to me, to be honest.
However, I feel best about the consistency of Kevin Durant, as he continues to play massive minutes, even on back-to-backs.
On the back end of his last two back-to-back sets, Durant played 40 minutes in each game.
He projects for 28.8 points in 37 minutes against a Hawks team that has played at the 3rd-fastest pace in the NBA this season.
Pick: Kevin Durant Over 24.5 Points (-125)
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Bulls vs. Heat
By Bet Labs
This NBA system identifies 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: Heat Moneyline (-120)
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Nets vs. Nuggets
By Bet Labs
This NBA system targets road teams positioned for outright wins when undervalued by the market during regular season play.
Teams entering a road stretch after consecutive away games often build rhythm and cohesion that sharpens their focus, especially when facing opponents with modest win streaks.
When the opponent’s previous game came against a weaker team and they enter this matchup slightly overconfident, the road team benefits from a motivational edge.
Moneyline ranges in this zone capture underdogs or small favorites that have the talent to compete but are priced at a discount due to travel fatigue or perception bias.
Historically, these teams capitalize on opponents riding short winning runs by controlling tempo and playing with higher urgency, producing profitable upsets and solid returns over time.
Pick: Nets Moneyline (+230)
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Thunder vs. Timberwolves
By Kyle Murray
Despite this Thunder team being a very tough matchup, Anthony Edwards has had a decent amount of success against them in recent history, especially on the glass.
Edwards has a points prop of just 25.5, which feels light, and I like adding the rebounds to this combo, as Edwards has collected a total of 20 rebounds in his two games against Oklahoma City this season.
Pick: Anthony Edwards Over 31.5 Points + Rebounds (-112)
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