There are two prime time video games on the NBA Slate for tonight. The Milwaukee Bucks (24-10, 8-7 away) will matchup towards the San Antonio Spurs (5-28, 2-14 house) on the street tonight. With tip off at 10 p.m. ET, the Golden State Warriors (16-17, 10-8 house) will host the Denver Nuggets (24-11, 10-8 away) at house. On this article, I’ve offered my finest picks for tonight. When you’re trying to guess on the NBA, each video games will air on TNT, starting at 7:30 p.m. ET. With these picks, you’ll be able to group them right into a parlay, or take them as straight bets. Right here you can see the NBA betting odds, stats, traits, participant prop bets, and predictions for Thursday, Jan. 4.
It is GIANNIS vs. WEMBY and JOKIC vs. STEPH tonight on TNT!
📲 https://t.co/j7XaSJX9DR pic.twitter.com/wvUhivNxAq
— NBA (@NBA) January 4, 2024
NBA Day by day Recreation Odds for 1/4
*Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook*
Milwaukee Bucks (-9) (-420) @ San Antonio Spurs (+330): O/U 247.5
Nuggets (-3.5) @ Warriors (+142): O/U 235.8
3 Leg Parlay Odds: +260 (25 % Enhance) .6u
NBA Guess #1 Milwaukee Bucks -9
The Milwaukee Bucks will face the San Antonio Spurs on the street tonight. Coming off a 142-130 loss towards the Indiana Pacers, the Bucks will play their second consecutive sport. For the Spurs, they’re coming off three straight losses, towards the Grizzlies, Celtics, and Path Blazers.
2-8 of their final ten video games, the Spurs have simply two house victories, and racked up solely two wins because the starting of November. With victories over the Lakers and Path Blazers, the Spurs proceed to undergo it.
With that mentioned, the Milwaukee Bucks are 24-10, and 1st within the Central Division. Nonetheless, they’re coming off two straight losses towards the Indiana Pacers, and have not fairly discovered their stride defensively and with chemistry. Whereas Kendrick Perkins not too long ago acknowledged not many individuals are fearing the deer, he isn’t precisely flawed. 7-3 of their final ten matchups, the Bucks are chilly, successful simply two of the final 5 video games.
Whereas the Bucks are 15-18-1 towards the unfold, the Spurs have a document of 13-20-0. Each groups not nice at masking spreads, Milwaukee is 1-0 towards San Antonio, successful the final two conferences. Having most not too long ago met on Dec. 19, the Bucks carried away the 132- 119 victory over the Spurs, wherein San Antonio lined the 16.5 underdog unfold. Profitable the final two matchups by greater than 9 factors, I’ll take that unfold tonight. During the last two video games, Milwaukee has a 24.5 level differential, which is sort of 15 factors excessive than what the unfold is at tonight.
It is a should win for Milwaukee
Tonight is a should win for Milwaukee, particularly coming off these loses. They face a Spurs crew, who’s averaging below 100 factors in the previous few matchups towards the Grizzlies and Celtics. Whereas the general public has closely scrutinized the Detroit Pistons, the San Antonio Spurs have equally been a catastrophe this season.
Via 33 video games performed, the Spurs rank close to final in offensive effectivity (107.1), and twenty fifth in defensive score (118.7). Permitting near 123 opponent factors per sport, San Antonio is atrocious at defending the perimeter, and permit groups to shoot 49 p.c from the sector. Even with rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama, the Spurs give up 46.8 rebounds per sport, which is second to final, subsequent to Washington.
San Antonio has rising pains
Sadly, the statistics do not lie, and issues do not get significantly better for the Spurs on the offensive finish. One of many worst three-point capturing squads, they put up a low 110 factors per sport. Solely capturing 45 p.c as a squad, in addition they flip the ball over 15 occasions a sport, which is a excessive price.
Whereas protection has been an issue for Milwaukee, they nonetheless stay probably the greatest groups within the Japanese Convention, rating third total in offensive score. With Lillard nonetheless adjusting to his new crew, there have been some inconsistencies. With Giannis a nightly double-double machine, these two groups actually do not evaluate on paper. For the Spurs to cowl, the Bucks must collapse, and select to sit down out their important gamers.
When you’re betting on the NBA, my finest choose is for Milwaukee to cowl the unfold tonight. 5-5 towards the unfold of their final ten video games, they’re averaging greater than 10 factors extra per sport than the Spurs. Averaging 128 factors over the past ten video games, the Spurs solely common 114. Whereas San Antonio head coach Greg Popovich is properly revered, the Spurs are one of many youngest groups within the league (24 years). With the Spurs proceed to show rising pains, the Bucks common 124.4 factors on the street.
The Spurs common round seven factors extra per sport at house, nonetheless, I can not see them masking the unfold tonight.
Giannis arrives for @Bucks motion in San Antonio!
🆚 Bucks vs. Spurs
📺 7:30 PM ET pic.twitter.com/0t6AmVoOUv— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) January 4, 2024
NBA Guess # 2: Jamal Murray 20 + Factors
Jamal as much as 5 three-pointers within the sport 🏹
25 PTS / 3 REB / 7 AST pic.twitter.com/dAxhmGNSgt
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) January 2, 2024
Season Stats PPG: 19.7 | FG: 46.9 % | 3 PT: 34.6 % | FT: 88.7 % | REB: 3.9 | AST: 6.2 | STL: 0.9 | BLK: 0.8
If there’s any NBA betting prop I like tonight, It is Jamal Murray to have 20+ factors scored towards the Golden State Warriors. Averaging 19.7 factors, Murray is placing up 21 factors on 45.8 p.c three-point, and 47.9 p.c discipline purpose capturing over a stretch of ten video games. Murray, now in his seventh season with the Nuggets, is averaging a career-highs from the three-point line.
Again from damage, Murray hit 20 + factors in 53 p.c of video games this season. Nonetheless, he is been extra constant as of late, nailing this prop within the final seven of eight video games. Coming off a 25 level efficiency towards the Charlotte Hornets, Murray hit over 20 factors in 9 of twelve video games within the month of December.
Regardless of taking part in simply 21 video games this season, the previous Wildcat is fourth in discipline purpose makes an attempt, behind Nikola Jokic, Michael Porter Jr., and Reggie Jackson. Second in factors per sport scored for the Nuggets this season, Murray leads Denver in discipline purpose makes an attempt with 163 over the past 10 video games. Whereas Porter Jr. is a crucial contributor of this crew, Murray and Jokic stay the heavy hitters by way of factors scored.
Talking of Jokic, he is been taking a again seat the final couple of video games, scoring simply 13 factors towards Charlotte, and 19 factors towards Oklahoma Metropolis. With the Joker distributing the ball extra and dominating on the boards, it is left Murray with distinctive quantity capturing.
In a single sport towards the Warriors, Murray is averaging 28 factors on 60 p.c capturing from downtown, and 55.6 p.c from the sector. With Chris Paul returning to the lineup, Murray ought to have each matchups towards him and Steph Curry.
Murray’s been constant
When you’re betting on the NBA, I like this prop for a large number of causes. Not solely has Murray been on of their most constant scorers, he is averaging 29 factors per sport within the final three conferences towards Golden State. Actually, relationship again to Feb. 2023, the guard hasn’t scored lower than 26 factors towards the Bay.
Averaging 16.3 discipline purpose makes an attempt within the final 10 video games, Murray is coming off a 5 three-pointer night time. Taking part in round half-hour by way of the month of December, it is secure to say the amount and minutes are there for him to hit this prop tonight.
Though they are going to be within the Bay Space, Murray hit this prop in 4 straight street video games, together with 32 factors towards the Brooklyn Nets on Dec. 22. A 77 p.c hit price within the final 15 street video games, he faces the Warriors, who enable the twentieth most factors (116.3) within the NBA. Whereas Golden State has put collectively a number of beginning lineups, they’ve truly improved with perimeter defending. Moreover that, they rank nineteenth in discipline purpose makes an attempt, and 18th in three-point makes an attempt per sport.
Why I like this prop tonight
Most not too long ago, this can be a Warriors crew that is allowed guards to ball out. Within the month of December, Tyler Herro, Anfernee Simons, Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, Jordan Poole, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Cam Thomas, James Harden, Satan Booker, Norman Powell, amongst others all scored over 20 factors. Coming off two days relaxation, Murray hit this prop in 4 of 5 video games, and 11 of the final 15.
With the road initially at 22.5 factors scored, Murray hit that by way of six video games, and he’s typically ignored by Jokic. Whereas Denver expressed they play to win, and never for stats, Murray ought to hit this prop tonight. Capable of rating from anyplace on the courtroom, Murray is averaging 21 factors within the final 5 matchups. Given this can be a primetime matchup on TNT, anticipate this to be a intense matchup tonight.
NBA Guess #3 Jonathan Kuminga O 3.5 Rebounds
A Curry & Kuminga combo of 55 factors final night time 📈 pic.twitter.com/Lhcr152T5n
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) January 3, 2024
Season Stats PPG: 12.7 | FG: 50.2 % | 3 PT: 28.4 % | FT: 67.8 % | REB: 4.1 | AST: 1.3 | STL: 0.6 | BLK: 0.3
In his third season with the Warriors, Jonathan Kuminga is averaging profession highs in factors , minutes, and rebounds. With Draymond Inexperienced out resulting from a suspension, the ahead has taken benefit of taking part in time, beginning 11 of 32 video games performed this season. Actually, his 19 level, two block, 4 help, and 6 rebound efficiency towards the Magic left head coach Steve Kerr impressed.
Praised for his potential to play on each side of the ball, at 6 foot 7, Kuminga is averaging 14.5 factors and 5.5 in his final ten video games. Extra spectacular, he had 12 boards towards OKC this month, together with 9 towards the Dallas Mavericks. Whereas he is actually earned extra minutes as a member of the Warriors transferring ahead, he is made necessary strides this season in changing into a two-way participant.
With the road moved to three.5, Kuminga hit over the prop whole 54 p.c this season. Whereas getting extra begins of current, the third 12 months ahead grabbed over 3.5 boards in 12 straight video games, and 100% within the final 10. With the Warriors at house tonight, he is hit his rebound props in seven consecutive video games on the Chase Middle, and in 80 p.c of the final ten. With a median of 5.8 rebounds within the final seven video games, I am even assured taking the 4.5. During the last ten video games, he hasn’t grabbed something lower than 4 volumes. That proper there speaks quantity, particularly towards a Denver crew that is not nice defensively towards energy forwards.
He is been impactful for the Warriors
When you’re betting on the NBA, Kuminga has made an affect, particularly with Draymond Inexperienced away from the crew. Whereas there is not a set date for Inexperienced to return, I’ll proceed to trip these props. Tonight, the Warriors get the Nuggets, who rank twelfth total in rebounds (43), eleventh in offensive boards, and 18th in defensive rebounds.
Whereas Jokic is a presence down beneath, the Nuggets allowed P.J. Washington, Jaylin Williams, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Dario Saric to all hit over 3.5 rebounds over the previous few weeks. With a 60 p.c hit price in 5 video games towards the Nuggets, Kuminga hasn’t had an issue on the glass towards Denver. Capable of hit over 3.5 rebounds in two straight video games towards the Nuggets, the ahead has a mixed 9 rebounds.
Ranked because the second finest rebounding crew (46.9) behind the Boston Celtics, the Warriors will closely depend on a mixture of their beginning lineup for boards. Whereas Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter Jr. are additionally nice rebounders, I really consider 3.5 is a low line for Kuminga.
Coming off someday of relaxation, Kuminga has been spectacular on the boards of late, grabbing over 3.5 in 5 of six video games, together with these 12 towards the Thunder. Capable of clear 5+ rebounds in 5 straight video games, he additionally has a median of 10.6 rebound possibilities over these final 5 matchups.
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Sara Jane Gamelli is a full-time Sportswriter at Ballislife, and Sports activities Content material Creator on Twitch and TikTok. She has a give attention to the NBA, WNBA, NCAA Basketball, and the NFL. Sara Jane presently resides in Connecticut/NYC space along with her Cat and Canine. SJ has her undergraduate diploma from the College of Connecticut in Economics, with a minor in enterprise administration.