The NBA regular season is back in full swing with a jam packed slate of games this Wednesday, with a total of 12 matchups on the docket scheduled for today, featuring an excellent nationally televised doubleheader on ESPN, as Nuggets vs. Celtics takes center stage at 7:00 p.m. ET, followed by Lakers vs. Spurs at 9:30 p.m. ET.
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 Wednesday, January 7.
NBA Picks, Odds, Props, Predictions: Wednesday, January 7
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 7 p.m. | |
  | 7 p.m. | |
  | 7:30 p.m. | |
  | 9:30 p.m. | |
  | 10 p.m. | |
  | 10 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. | ||
Bulls vs. Pistons
By Joe Dellera
The Detroit Pistons face off against the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday night, and I’m targeting Ausar Thompson in this spot.
The key injury for Detroit is Jalen Duren, who will miss the next few games with an ankle injury.
Duren is one of the best interior presences in the league, and his absence opens up a ton of rebound opportunities.
On the season, Ausar averages 5.8 rebounds per game, but without Duren, this climbs to 7.7 with games of 8, 8, and 7.
Over the last two seasons when Duren has missed and he’s played 20+ minutes, Thompson has cleared this line in 11-of-14 games, while averaging 7.5 boards.
Chicago is a great matchup too. The Bulls allow the 11th-most rebounds to their opponents and play at the second-fastest pace in the league.
In Ausar’s one game against Chicago this season he secured nine boards. This is a solid opportunity for Ausar, and I’ll back him to clean the glass on Wednesday night.
Pick: Ausar Thompson Over 5.5 Rebounds (-125)
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Raptors vs. Hornets
Did they have a parade in Charlotte after the Hornets beat the Thunder?
This is the best thing that’s happened for that franchise in a while, so hopefully they’re not fat and happy, but here’s how I cap this…
The Hornets are 58% ATS on their home floor this year. If you want to take the 2.5 points on the spread, I don’t blame you — but I figure they are either about to start a very impressive heater that was kickstarted by the OKC win, or they are going to get blasted by the Raptors tonight.
My numbers make this line Hornets +1. So, I’ll take a nibble on Charlotte moneyline.
Pick: Hornets Moneyline (+110)
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Magic vs. Nets
By Bet Labs
This NBA system identifies value in 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 -1.5 (-110)
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Lakers vs. Spurs
By Bet Labs
This NBA totals betting system is built on the idea that strong traveling teams can drive pace and scoring in matchups where the market leans too heavily toward the under.
By focusing on regular season games outside of division play, the system avoids slower rivalry environments and taps into contests that tend to be more open and less physical.
It targets overs specifically when the betting public and money trends show a clear lean toward the under, creating a contrarian opportunity where expectations are suppressed but conditions for scoring remain strong.
The away team must be early enough in its season to still carry energy and identity, and it must also be coming off a decisive win, a signal that its offense and confidence are functioning at a high level.
When these elements align, strong road teams often set the tone, push pace, and elevate scoring beyond market expectations, making the over more attractive precisely when it is being overlooked.
Pick: Over 236.5 (-110)
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Rockets vs. Trail Blazers
By Joe Dellera
Deni Avdija has been tremendous this season for the Blazers, and he is the favorite to win the Most Improved Player award. However, this matchup against the Rockets presents a number of issues.
Deni averages 25.9 points per game on the entire season and is coming off of three strong games against the Pelicans, the Spurs (no Wemby), and the Jazz.
So, I’m selling high here.
One of the sneaky details about Deni this season is he averages the second-most FTAs per game behind Luka with 9.8 — yes, you read that right. He averages more FTA than your favorite foul merchant. Deni does this by relentlessly attacking the rim and getting into the paint.
The Rockets allow the seventh-fewest FTAs per game and are above average at limiting paint scoring — and while Portland plays fast, the Rockets play at the third-slowest pace in the league.
Against teams that play at a bottom-10 pace, Deni averages 24.7 points and has gone under this line in 7-of-9 games.
When he played the Rockets earlier this season, he scored 22 points and fell below his FTA average. It’s tough fading a young star, but this is a tough matchup for him.
Pick: Deni Avdija Under 26.5 Points (-110)
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Bucks vs. Warriors
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: Warriors -6.5 (-110)
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