NBA Betting Odds – Thunder-Hawks, Bulls-Mavericks, Rockets-Suns
Carrie Stroup has your NBA betting odds for January 23. Place your 1st bet and get your 2nd bet free here.
OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER (22-20) at ATLANTA HAWKS (35-8)
Sportsbook.ag Line: Atlanta -4.5, Total: 208
The Thunder look to win a fifth straight game in Atlanta on Friday night, but it is going to be tough, as they’ll face a Hawks team that has now won 14 straight games.
Oklahoma City is on a four-game winning streak SU and ATS and it is going to need to keep winning games in order to make the playoffs in the Western Conference. This team has clicked offensively recently, averaging 110.4 PPG over the past five contests. The Thunder will need to keep it up on that side of the ball, as they’ll be up against a Hawks team that has scored at least 105 points in six of the past seven games.
Atlanta hasn’t just won 14 straight games, but also 19 of the past 20 contests, and has covered the spread in 18 of those games. The Thunder last played the Hawks on Jan. 27, 2014, when they won 111-109 as 9.5-point home favorites.
Since 1996, Oklahoma City is 13-4 SU and 14-2 ATS when facing the Hawks in Atlanta. Oklahoma City is 3-1 SU in this head-to-head series over the past three seasons, but the teams have split wins ATS. On the season, Atlanta is a dominant 31-11 ATS in all games. The club is also 7-0 ATS as a home favorite of six points or less on the season, and an incredible 12-0 ATS in January. Oklahoma City, meanwhile, has gone 68-46 ATS after scoring 105+ points over the past three seasons. Each team remains without one player on the roster, as Thunder PF Mitch McGary (tibia) and Hawks SG Shelvin Mack (calf) are both out indefinitely.
The Thunder are going to need every win they can get to make the playoffs in an outstanding Western Conference, so this one in Atlanta would mean a lot to them. SF Kevin Durant (25.5 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 3.9 APG) was excellent in a win over the Wizards on Wednesday, finishing the game with 34 points, seven rebounds and three assists in 45 minutes of action. Over the past five games, last year’s MVP is averaging 26.8 PPG, 9.0 RPG and 4.8 APG. He’ll need to be just as effective against a Hawks team that is capable of putting up a ton of points.
PG Russell Westbrook (25.1 PPG, 7.4 APG, 6.1 RPG, 2.3 SPG) was equally as impressive against the Wizards, finishing with 32 points, eight rebounds and eight assists in 42 minutes. Westbrook has a tough matchup with Jeff Teague in this game, and he’ll need to come ready to play on both ends of the court. He’d be wise to attack the rim in an effort to draw some fouls and take the Hawks out of their rhythm.
PF Serge Ibaka (14.3 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 2.2 BPG) has not been rebounding the ball very effectively recently, averaging just 6.4 RPG over the past five games. Atlanta has a very talented frontcourt and all of its starters have the ability to hit the glass, so Ibaka must grab more rebounds in this game than he has been lately. He has just one game with more than eight rebounds in the month of January.
What the Hawks have been able to do this season has been absolutely remarkable, allowing just 96.1 PPG (1st in NBA) and scoring 103.2 PPG (6th in league). No one individual on this team is bigger than the other and that can be evidenced by its 26.0 APG (2nd in NBA). This team loves to move the ball and nearly every possession ends with a good look at the basket.
The guy that has been really thriving over the course of the winning streak is C Al Horford (15.1 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 3.2 APG, 1.4 BPG). In January, Horford is averaging 16.5 PPG, 7.0 RPG and 4.4 APG in just 31.4 MPG. He is a tremendous passer for a big man, and his ability to space the floor with his mid-range jumper is one of the reasons this offense has been this good all year.
PF Paul Millsap (16.8 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 3.1 APG, 1.7 SPG) shares a lot of the same qualities as his frontcourt partner. Millsap is ferocious on the glass, but he is also a capable outside shooter for his size and he should be able to really frustrate Serge Ibaka with his ability to get his hands on the ball defensively.
PG Jeff Teague (17.2 PPG, 7.4 APG, 1.8 APG) has been passing the ball very well over the past few weeks, averaging 8.8 APG in the past five games. Teague’s quickness and ability to get to the rim opens up a lot for his team offensively. He’ll need to hold his own in this one, as it will not be easy to go against Russell Westbrook.
SG Kyle Korver (13.1 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 2.9 APG) has been shooting with a historically amazing accuracy this season. He’s been on fire in the month of January (57.5% FG, 57.4% threes) and the Thunder are going to throw whatever they can at Korver in order to prevent him from getting good looks on Friday.
CHICAGO BULLS (28-16) at DALLAS MAVERICKS (30-13)
Sportsbook.ag Line: Dallas -6.5, Total: 206
Place your 1st bet and get your 2nd bet free here.
The Mavericks will be going for their fourth straight victory when they host the Bulls on Friday night.
Chicago has been struggling lately, but it should enter Friday with a ton of confidence after a 104-81 victory as a 5.5-point home underdog against the Spurs on Thursday night. The Bulls had allowed more than 100 points in five straight games before facing San Antonio, so perhaps they are going back to their roots and focusing on playing excellent defense.
Meanwhile, the Mavericks went into Minnesota on Wednesday night and beat the Timberwolves 98-75 as 9.5-point road favorites. Dallas has won three straight games and four of the past five. In their past three games, the Mavericks have held their opponents to just 86.3 PPG.
The Bulls last faced Dallas on Dec. 2, when Chicago lost 132-129 as a 1.5-point home favorite. That game went to triple overtime and prevented a third straight Under in this head-to-head series. The Bulls have won two of their past three games in Dallas SU and have covered in six straight meetings. The last time the Dallas covered at home against Chicago was Nov. 14, 2006.
The Bulls are also 24-14 ATS on Friday nights over the past three seasons. Yet the Mavericks are a good January team with a record of 26-15 ATS over the past three seasons. PG Derrick Rose (rest) will likely play in the second night of this back-to-back for Chicago, while SG Mike Dunleavy (ankle) will be a game-time decision, and C Joakim Noah (ankle) is doubtful to suit up and expected to miss his fifth straight game.
The Bulls have been struggling recently, but there should be plenty of optimism after the performance of PG Derrick Rose (18.2 PPG, 5.1 APG, 3.0 RPG) on Thursday night. Rose played what might have been his best game of the season, as his athleticism was on full display with 22 points, five assists and two steals in just 27 minutes. He’s had games with bigger numbers this season, but he was attacking the basket with the confidence that NBA fans were used to seeing from him a few years ago. Rose will need to carry that momentum into this game, as matching up with Rajon Rondo will not be easy.
PF Pau Gasol (18.6 PPG, 11.5 RPG, 2.6 APG, 2.1 BPG) has been playing at an extremely high level this season and will need to keep it up against a very good Mavericks frontcourt. In the Dec. 2 meeting, Gasol exploded for 29 points and 14 rebounds. He also had 12 points, 17 rebounds and two blocks in just 31 minutes against San Antonio on Thursday, and was very efficient on offense (5-of-6 FG).
SG Jimmy Butler (20.5 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 3.2 APG, 1.8 SPG) hit a rough patch about two weeks ago, but he has found his game recently. Butler had 17 points (4-of-9 FG, 7-of-7 FT) against the Spurs and it followed up a 20-point, 7-rebound performance against the Cavaliers on Monday. The Bulls need him to play like the All-Star he’s become against the Mavericks, and his matchup against Chandler Parsons could go a long way in determining who ends up winning this game. In last month's meeting, Butler poured in 23 points, eight rebounds and seven assists in the 2-OT loss to Dallas.
The Mavericks are hot right now and one player that is really playing well over the course of their winning streak is SF Chandler Parsons (15.6 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 1.0 SPG). The forward is averaging 18.3 PPG over the past three games and when he is hitting shots, this team is extremely hard to stop. Parsons played 45 minutes in last month's marathon at United Center and produced 24 points, seven rebounds and three steals.
SG Monta Ellis (20.0 PPG, 4.5 APG, 1.7 SPG) also played 45 minutes in that Dec. 2 win, and hoisted up 35 shots, finishing with 38 points on 16-of-35 FG. Ellis had just seven points (3-of-12 FG) and three assists in the win over Minnesota on Wednesday, but the Mavericks really didn’t need him to score in order to win that contest. Ellis had 25 points (9-of-18 FG) and seven assists in a win over the Grizzlies just two nights before, and this game on Friday should be very similar. Dallas will need him to score points against a team that is thin at the shooting guard position without Mike Dunleavy, who averages 9.6 PPG and dropped 20 points on the Mavs last month.
PF Dirk Nowitzki (18.7 PPG, 6.0 RPG) had been in a shooting slump over the past few weeks, but he’s snapped out of it in recent games. Nowitzki is averaging 20.7 PPG over the past three contests and the Mavericks will really need him to shoot the ball well in this one. Nowitzki had a double-double in Chicago last month with 22 points and 10 assists, while also contributing seven rebounds and a game-high rating of +18.
One guy who must turn things around for Dallas is PG Rajon Rondo (9.2 PPG, 9.4 APG, 1.6 SPG), who has really struggled recently. Rondo has gotten himself in foul trouble in four of the past five games and he must stay on the floor for this team. He’s averaging just 7.5 PPG and 2.0 APG over the past two games, and that is just not going to cut it, especially considering the fact that the Mavericks gave up a lot of assets to acquire him in December.
HOUSTON ROCKETS (29-14) at PHOENIX SUNS (26-18)
Sportsbook.ag Line: Phoenix -2.5, Total: 220.5
Place your 1st bet and get your 2nd bet free here.
The Rockets attempt to rebound from losing to the Warriors in two of the past three games when they go against the streaking Suns on Friday night.
Houston has been a great team this season, except when they play Golden State. Prior to those contests, the Rockets managed to go a solid 6-3 (both SU and ATS) since the start of January and have won each of their past eight victories by double digits. On Wednesday night they had no chance against Golden State, as they were losing 102-78 entering the fourth quarter before finally falling 126-113 as 8-point underdogs. They turned the ball over 19 times, but were able to make 13-of-32 threes (41%) and got to the charity stripe 31 times, making 26 of them (84% FT).
The Suns are in the midst of an eight-game homestand, and they have not disappointed through their first four games in front of their fans, going 4-0 SU (2-2 ATS) with 112.5 PPG and defeating opponents by an average of 9.5 PPG. They earned their last win against an injury laden Portland club on Wednesday night as they failed to cover the 7.5-point spread they were giving in a 118-113 barnburner. Phoenix’s trio of guards (Eric Bledsoe, Goran Dragic and Isaiah Thomas) combined for 76 points as the team shot a combined 51.1% from the floor.
The Rockets have been strong on the road this season with a 13-7 SU record (10-10 ATS) in away games, but are up against a Suns team that is 13-7 SU (11-9 ATS) at Talking Stick Resort Arena (formerly US Airways Center). These two clubs have already met once this season, as Houston grabbed a 100-95 victory as a 2-point home underdog in a game where neither team shot better than 41% from the field.
For the most part, these teams have played some great games over the past three seasons and the Rockets are 5-3 SU (4-4 ATS) in this series since the beginning of the 2012-13 campaign, with the winner in that time having an average margin of victory of 9.1 PPG. Some trends to watch for in this one include that Houston is 63-38 ATS (62%) in road games after allowing 110+ points since 1996, as Phoenix is 76-47 ATS (62%) in all games since the start of last year. The only injury for either team comes out of the Rockets' camp with PF Terrence Jones (leg) out indefinitely.
The Rockets’ offense has improved since the beginning of the season and after putting up 109.9 PPG over their past 11 contests, they are averaging 102.9 PPG (8th in league) overall, despite a mere 43.9% shooting (8th-worst in NBA). On the defensive end, they are allowing 99.0 PPG, as their opposition is making 44.3% of their shots (9th in league).
SG James Harden (27.2 PPG, 6.7 APG, 5.5 RPG, 1.9 SPG) has scored 39.0 PPG over his past two performances and has been creating turnovers all over the place with 2.6 SPG over his past five games. He hit a dreadful 5-of-21 shots (24% FG), including going 1-for-9 from long range, the first time these teams met this season, but managed a complete stat line with 15 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists, three blocks, two steals and six turnovers.
C Dwight Howard (16.7 PPG, 11.2 RPG, 1.4 BPG) has double-digit boards in each of his past three games, but has not been the defensive force that he usually is with just one blocked shot in that time. He wasn’t on the court when his team faced the Suns earlier in the season, but will look to have a big game after averaging 24.7 PPG (63% FG), 13.7 RPG and 4.7 BPG in three games against them last season.
SF Trevor Ariza (12.5 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 2.0 SPG) has hit a cold spell over the past three games, as he nets just 7.3 PPG (33% FG) and 2.3 RPG. His efficiency wasn’t there against Phoenix earlier this season, as he was 5-for-15 from the field with 19 points and he added seven rebounds with six turnovers.
As usual, the Suns have put forth a formidable offense that is putting up 107.5 PPG (3rd in league) on a combined 46.8% shooting (6th in NBA). Unfortunately, their defense isn’t always able to keep up with the high pace, and has given up 104.8 PPG (3rd-worst in league) on 45.3% shooting.
PG Eric Bledsoe (16.8 PPG, 5.9 APG, 5.3 RPG, 1.6 SPG) is coming off a season-high, 33-point performance against the Blazers in which he also added 10 rebounds, six assists and three steals. He was all over the place in the loss against Houston this season, going for 23 points, four rebounds, three assists, three blocks and three steals.
SG Goran Dragic (17.0 PPG, 4.1 APG, 1.0 SPG) has scored more than 20 points in two of his past three games and has been extremely efficient, hitting 55% of his shots over his past five contests. Dragic wasn’t able to do much the first time these clubs met with just 13 points (5-of-14 FG) and six assists.
PF Markieff Morris (15.3 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 1.4 SPG) has contributed little over the past three games (11.3 PPG, 4.0 RPG) and did poorly against Houston in the first matchup, fouling out after 31 minutes with four points on 2-of-14 shooting.
- Carrie Stroup, Gambling911.com Senior Reporter
