An exciting 11-game slate for Saturday, with our previews kicking off at 11:30am EDT, as the Toronto Raptors (16-22) host the New York Knicks (21-18). The Knicks will be desperate for revenge, after a 113-106 home loss to the Raptors in late December. Next up, we look at the Southeast Division leaders, the Miami Heat (20-19), as they continue their road trip out west with a visit to the sputtering Suns (20-19). We finish our previews with a matchup between the Atlanta Hawks (18-20) and the Los Angeles Lakers (17-21), who continue without superstar Anthony Davis.
As always, be sure to check out our NBA tips page here, where we have write ups on all the major slates throughout the season.
2022-23 NBA Betting Tips: Saturday January 7th
New York Knicks at Toronto Raptors
Scotiabank Arena, 11:30am AEDT
I must say, I’m a little bit surprised by the number in this matchup, with the Raptors opening 3.5-point favourites at home. I’m probably a bit high on the Knicks, but I have them as a small favourite in this one.
The Raptors started the season off quite well, however tapered off rather quickly and have struggled to get anything going. They’ve only managed 5 wins in their past 18 games, and in close contests they have been horrible, winning only one game all year by 3 points or less.
The Knicks have been a pleasant surprise this season, as most thought coming into the new campaign, they’d be battling it out for a spot in the play-in tournament. Instead, they’re in 6th position almost halfway through the season, and will continue to battle it out for the last automatic place in the playoffs.
Given the Raptors’ inability to win close games, and the spread being a tick over one score, I’m going all in on the Knicks winning this one. They had 16 turnovers in the last matchup with the Raptors, and if they can clean that up and find a way to slow down Pascal Siakam (52p, 9r, 7a) who dominated the last contest, I believe they can win.
New York Knicks
$2.50 (1.5 Units)
Miami Heat at Phoenix Suns
FootPrint Center, 2:00pm AEDT
This is a fade of the Suns, as much a bet on the Heat. As mentioned in the intro, the Suns have been an absolute rabble since losing their superstar guard Devin Booker around Christmas time. Since they shut him down, the Suns have managed a 1-4 record. Admittedly, all these matches have been on the road, and being back home will give them a huge boost, however their overall record without Booker is cause for alarm. The Suns’ record without Booker this season is 2-8, and coming up against a veteran team like the Heat will prove difficult.
The Heat have managed to win 8 of their past 12, with recent road victories over the Jazz and Clippers highlighting how well they are playing. I’m generally loathed to bet the Heat, given they are about as likely as any team to rest its stars, however I’ll bank on them getting the job done here before they head home.
Miami Heat
$1.90 (2 Units)
Atlanta Hawks at Los Angeles Lakers
Crypto.com Arena, 2:30pm AEDT
The Lakers continue to stay in the hunt for the play-in tournament, currently sitting at 1.5-games behind the 10th placed Utah Jazz. Lebron James has had to up his involvement, with the injury to Anthony Davis, and the King has responded. In the 8 games since Davis’s injury, LeBron has averaged 35.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 7.4 assists per game.
Meanwhile, the Hawks have lost 10 of their past 15 games, and snapped a 4-game losing streak on Thursday to the Kings. They’re in the middle of a 4-game road trip west, with clashes with the two Los Angeles’ teams to come before they head back home.
These teams met a week ago in Atlanta, where the Lakers prevailed 130-121. Both teams shot poorly from beyond the arc, and there’s certainly a concern if the Hawks can get hot, they could blow the Lakers out. LeBron showed out, scoring 47 points on 18/27 shooting. If LeBron can put on another big performance, I see the Lakers getting the home win as small underdogs.
Los Angeles Lakers
$2.04 (2 Unit)
