Grant Afseth offers his top picks on DraftKings Sportsbook for today’s nine-game NBA slate.
With nine NBA matchups scheduled for Wednesday, January 22, there are plenty of opportunities to make some picks and take advantage of DraftKings Sportsbook’s odds.
Here’s a look at the full schedule for today’s games (all times Eastern):
The Cavaliers are set to take on the Rockets with a chance to maintain their momentum despite the absence of Evan Mobley, who remains sidelined with a calf strain. Cleveland has relied heavily on its defense, particularly its ability to create turnovers and get second-chance points. The Rockets, meanwhile, have struggled on the defensive end recently. The Cavaliers have been dominant at home, and with a steady performance from Donovan Mitchell, they should cover the -2.5 spread.
Minnesota will look to bounce back after a close loss to Memphis when it faces the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday. Anthony Edwards has been the primary scoring threat for the Timberwolves, continuing to play at a high level with five consecutive games scoring over 28 points. Dallas, on the other hand, is dealing with the absence of Luka Doncic, leaving Kyrie Irving to shoulder most of the offensive load. Irving has played well in Doncic’s absence, but with Minnesota’s depth and Edwards leading the way, they should have enough to cover the -3 spread. Remember, the Mavericks are dealing with far more injuries than Doncic’s calf strain. They have already ruled out Dante Exum, Jaden Hardy and Dwight Powell. They have Dereck Lively II, Klay Thompson, Naji Marshall and Quentin Grimes all questionable to play, too.
Detroit has found success on the road this season, with a 12-10 record away from home. The Pistons will look to continue that trend in Atlanta, where they have struggled historically. Despite this, Detroit’s young core, led by Cade Cunningham, can keep the game competitive. Cunningham has been playing at a high level, averaging 24.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 9.3 assists per game. The Hawks have dealt with turnovers all season, ranking sixth in the NBA in turnovers per game. If Detroit can capitalize on Atlanta’s mistakes, the Pistons should be able to cover the +3 spread.
With Doncic out of the lineup, Irving has taken on a more significant role for the Mavericks. Irving is averaging 29 points and 4.5 assists over his last two games, and with Dallas dealing with a depleted roster, he is expected to log heavy minutes and continue to handle the bulk of the scoring and playmaking duties. Irving’s ability to score in large quantities, paired with his playmaking, should allow him to exceed 30.5 points and assists against the Timberwolves. Minnesota has struggled defensively, and Irving will be counted on to keep the Mavericks competitive in a game where they’ll need his offensive production more than ever.
With Mobley sidelined due to a calf injury, the Cavaliers need their role players to step up against the Rockets. Georges Niang has been a key contributor when one of the Cavaliers’ big men is out, averaging 11.8 points, 7.3 rebounds and 0.8 assists in four games without Mobley this season. Niang has shown the ability to knock down outside shots and provide some scoring off the bench, especially in matchups where Cleveland needs to space the floor and generate offense beyond its primary scorers. The Rockets aggressively pressure the ball defensively, creating open looks for shooters like Niang. Expect him to play a significant role and surpass the 8.5-point mark in this matchup.