The first NBA Thursday in 2023 is massive one with 12 games scheduled for play with the first tipping off at 11am (AEDT). As always, we've identified three key matchups and have provided previews and best bets for each of them; they include the Suns at Cavaliers, Nets at Bulls, and Hawks at Kings. Check out our betting selections for those games below and of course, good luck to everyone following!
Also, make sure to check out our NBA tips page regularly to catch our best betting tips for multiple slates for every week of the 2022-23 season!
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NBA Betting Tips: Thursday January 5th
Phoenix Suns at Cleveland Cavaliers
Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse, 11am AEDT
The Cleveland Cavaliers (24-14) will host the Phoenix Suns (20-18) in the early timeslot on Thursday’s slate. The Cavs are currently listed as the favourites to secure the win ($1.46 vs $2.74).
The Suns will be playing their sixth game of what’s turning into a disastrous road trip when they head to Cleveland. They have just one win to their name from their last seven games and have lost by 19+ points three times during that stretch.
Losing Devin Booker to injury has been a big reason for the poor form of the Suns and he won’t be back on Thursday either.
The Suns will need to improve sharply to have any chance of matching it with a Cavaliers side that will be buzzing after the incredible 71-point performance from Donovan Mitchell last start.
On current form, taking the Cavaliers to cover the small spread looks to be the best play in this matchup.
Cleveland Cavaliers -4.5
$1.87 (2.5 Units)
Brooklyn Nets at Chicago Bulls
United Center, 12pm AEDT
The Brooklyn Nets (25-12) will head back on the road to take on the Chicago Bulls (16-21) at 12pm (AEDT). The Nets are the favourites to add to their huge 12-game win streak ($1.45 vs $2.76).
It’s been an incredible run from the Nets who were seemingly a rabble just a month or two ago. Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving have been in fantastic form, while their supporting cast has done a terrific job of filling in the gaps.
In contrast, the Bulls have lost two in a row and have just had a horrible season overall. They’re likely to blow it all up before the trade deadline unless something immediately clicks and they can turn this sinking ship around.
The Nets hare clearly the better team in this matchup and should have no issues extending their winning streak to 13. I expect them to win relatively easily and over the small spread in Chicago.
Brooklyn Nets -5
$1.90 (2 Units)
Atlanta Hawks at Sacramento Kings
Golden 1 Center, 2pm AEDT
The final game of the day takes place at the Golden 1 Center, with the Sacramento Kings (20-16) playing hosts to the Atlanta Hawks (17-20). There’s very little splitting these teams in the head-to-head market at the time of writing, with the Kings currently very slight favourites ($1.87 vs $1.97).
The Hawks head to Sacramento in horrible form and are sporting a four-game losing streak. On a larger time frame, they’ve lost 13 of their last 19 games are a poor 6-12 on the road.
Meanwhile, the Kings will be full of juice after their exhilarating two-point win against the Jazz on Wednesday. De’Aaron Fox was incredible in the fourth quarter with 22 points including the go-ahead layup to gift his team the win.
Considering the poor road form of the Hawks (6-12) coupled with the strong home form of the Kings (11-7), it’s surprising to see this game priced as a pick ‘em. The Kings should be the solid favourites in my opinion and as such, I’ll be backing them in to win.
Sacramento Kings
$1.87 (3 Units)
