Nine games in the NBA today, with some quality teams facing one another. First up, we will take a look at the surging Atlanta Hawks, who host the New York Knicks at Phillips Arena. Next up, we take a look at the Southeast Division leading Miami Heat, as they head to Texas to take on the Mavericks. And finally, we head to Sacramento, with two of the surprise packets of the season going head-to-head, as the Kings host the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Check out our NBA betting tips for Thursday January 19th below! And if you're looking for a new Australian sportsbook to try, why not check out Winnersbet for a great range of NBA betting markets!
2022-23 NBA Betting Tips: Saturday, January 21st
New York Knicks at Atlanta Hawks
Phillips Arena, 11:30am AEDT
After a horrible December for the Hawks, they have turned their form around nicely to start the new year. They’ve won 6 of their last 8, including impressive wins over the Mavericks, Heat, Clippers and Kings. They’re getting solid contributions on offense from their two stars Dejounte Murray and Trae Young, and are now well and truly back on track to get into the play-in tournament.
Meanwhile, the Knicks have continued playing solid basketball, however, have been quite streaky. They seem to go on runs of wins and losses, and are currently on a two-game skid, after home losses to the Raptors and Wizards.
The teams have met twice already this season, with both games at Madison Square Garden. The games were split, and both were blowouts.
The Hawks have Trae Young listed as questionable, but given his history with the Knicks I believe he will play, and with the form the Hawks are in right now, I trust them to win and win well.
Atlanta Hawks
$1.91 (2 Units)
Miami Heat at Dallas Mavericks
American Airlines Center, 11:30am AEDT
The Heat are red hot at the moment, winning 4 of their past 5. This is on the back of their defence, which over the course of the season ranks 5th in defensive efficiency, however the efficiency has been getting better and better over the course of the season. Today, they come up against a team with the 6th ranked offensive efficiency in the NBA, so it will be a true test of strength on strength in this one.
The Mavericks have been guided by MVP candidate Luka Doncic, who has almost single-handedly dragged this team of misfits into 5th place in the Western Conference. Doncic is averaging 33.7 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 8.8 assists per game this season, however a recent road trip has seen Doncic’s efficiency drop, and the moment that happens is the moment Dallas starts losing games.
Another negative for the Mavericks is the loss of Christian Wood, who has been a big part of this offense outside of Doncic. With Tim Hardaway Jr also likely to miss, it’s going to be down to Doncic to come up with another miracle.
I don’t see it, with Heat Head Coach Erik Spoelstra as good as any coach in the league at formulating a defensive game plan to slow down the absolute best in the league. I see the Heat getting the win in Dallas in this one.
Alternate Bet:
Luka Doncic (triple double) - $3.40 @ Bet365 (1u)
Miami Heat
$1.98 (2 Units)
Oklahoma City Thunder at Sacramento Kings
Golden 1 Center, 2:00pm AEDT
The Sacramento Kings are currently the #3 seed in the Western Conference. No, you’re not drunk, you read that correctly. We’ve just passed the halfway point of the NBA season, and the Kings are 6 wins from surpassing their win total from last season. What a turnaround it’s been.
Not to be outdone, the Oklahoma City Thunder are 9 months removed from finishing with the 4th worst record in the NBA last season. Despite losing their #2 overall pick Chet Holmgren for the season before the regular season even kicked off, the Thunder have managed to hold their own, currently sitting 10th in the Western Conference with a 22-23 record.
Both teams are coming in on solid winning streaks, with the Thunder having won 4-straight, and the Kings going one better on a 5-game streak. Both have been impressive, but I’m going to side with the home team in this one and trust the Kings to get it done. Their offense is elite, and I don’t see the Thunder slowing them enough to win.
Sacramento Kings
$1.91 (2 Units)
