3 NBA Best Bets and Predictions for Wednesday 1/8/25

The 82-game NBA regular season offers us a wide variety of betting options, including point spreads, moneylines and totals. The league has 1,230 games in the regular season, which can make sifting through the odds an overwhelming task.

However, various advanced statistics can help narrow down the choices. number Four’s NBA power rankings and NBA Game Projections paired with advanced statistics from the NBA can help give the inside track to quality bets.

While using some of the mentioned tools like NBA odds from FanDuel Sportsbook look like the best bets today?

Please note that lines may change during the day after this article is published.

Today’s best NBA betting picks

Toronto Raptors at New York Knicks

Knicks -3.5 First Quarter Spread (-110)

The New York Knicks have lost three in a row and need a bounce-back spot. The scheduling gods have given them a pretty ideal one tonight as the Knicks get a home date with Toronto Raptors. Given New York’s recent issues, I think they’ll come out aggressive tonight, which puts me on the Knicks’ spread in the first quarter.

New York is an 11.5-point favorite, so oddsmakers expect them to get back on track. It also makes sense as the Knicks are 5th in net rating (+6.8) while the Raptors are 27th (-7.7). Additionally, these two teams have met twice already this season, with New York winning both games.

number Four’s NBA projections has New York winning by about 14 points, but I prefer to target the spread in the first quarter. After each of their last two losses during their recent cold streak, the Knicks have come out of the next game winning the first quarter by at least four points in each outing before going on to lose the game.

New York should be extra motivated tonight, and with one of the NBA’s worst teams as the Knicks’ opposition, I like to back New York to win the first quarter by at least four points.

Detroit Pistons at Brooklyn Nets

Net +8.5 (-106)

This spread seems a bit too big for tonight Detroit Pistons–Brooklyn Nets matchup, which pushes me to back the Nets to cover.

Admittedly, these two teams have only played once this year, and the result was a 14-point Pistons victory in Brooklyn. But by net rating, the Pistons (-1.7) and Nets (-5.6) aren’t super far apart, and this game in Brooklyn should help the Nets.

While Detroit has won four in a row, two of those wins were close home wins against bad teams — a four-point victory over Charlotte Hornets and a three-point win against Portland Trail Blazers.

numberFire’s model has tonight’s game as a small victory for the Nets. I’ll play it safer and take Brooklyn to cover as an 8.5-point dog.

Washington Wizards at Philadelphia 76ers

Over 221.0 (-110)

Points should flow today when Washington Wizards and Philadelphia 76ers meet.

Washington’s defense is a big reason why the move is appealing, as the Wiz are second to last in defensive rating. They also play at the fourth-fastest pace and are a big up-tempo spot for a Philly team that checks in at No. 27 in pace.

Plus, it’s not like the Sixers are some defensive juggernaut, with the 76ers ranking 15th in defensive rating.

The three-ball will be crucial for the overshot, and we should see a lot of three-point attempts. Both defenses rank in the top 10 for highest three-point attempt rate allowed, with Philly giving up the third-highest three-point attempt rate (44.2%).

numberFire estimates that there are a total of 225.9 points in this game.

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The above writer is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports bets on FanDuel. The advice given by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author’s advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports bets.