Tuesday NBA Best Bets Jan. 13 Predictions: Will Suns stay hot?

Last Updated on January 13, 2026 12:22 pm by Anthony Rome

Will the Suns stay hot when they clash with the Heat at 7:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday? Are the Nuggets a safe bet as a 2-point favorite against the struggling Pelicans at 8:00 p.m. ET? Can the Trail Blazers keep pace with the Warriors at 11:00 p.m. ET? Our Tuesday NBA Best Bets Jan. 13 column offers selections on all three of these matchups.

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NBA Best Bet: Suns +1 (at Heat)

Record Context & Motivation:
The Phoenix Suns (21-15) are jockeying for seeding in a tight Western Conference and bring strong momentum into Miami after a gritty 112-107 win over the Knicks in which Devin Booker erupted for 31 and Dillon Brooks chipped in 27 with efficient shooting. Phoenix has won 8 of its last 10 games, showcasing a balanced offensive attack to go along with defense that has been stingy during that stretch.

Matchup Details:
Miami enters at 20-19 and sits in the lower half of the Eastern playoff picture. The Heat have a high-pace offense (119.4 PPG) but can be vulnerable in transition, especially against quick guards like Booker and a Suns team that ranks in the upper tier in fast-break scoring.

Injuries & Rotation Notes:
Heat guard Norman Powell is questionable with back soreness which could weaken Miami’s wing depth if he’s limited. Meanwhile, Phoenix carries no major absences and has gotten consistent scoring from its starters.

Why +1 Makes Sense:
The Suns feature more offensive balance and win the rebounding battle more often than not. Miami’s home-court edge is real, but Phoenix’s recent defense and Suns’ ability to control tempo give them a solid chance to cover a narrow spread.

👉 Best Bet: Phoenix Suns +1

NBA Best Bet: Nuggets -2 (at Pelicans)

Standings & Offensive Efficiency:
Even without Nikola Jokić, the Denver Nuggets (24-12) remain a tough out. Jokic is sidelined through January with a hyperextended knee, but Denver’s offense and pace remain high with Jamal Murray running the show and sharpshooter Peyton Watson heating up — the latter pouring in 30 points in a recent win over Boston.

Pelicans Vulnerability:
New Orleans is among the weakest teams in the league this season and cannot match Denver’s depth or offensive versatility. Denver still crushes the glass and forces contested shots, especially against teams with inferior defensive cohesion.

Injury Updates:
Jamal Murray is listed as questionable due to ankle/illness, but Payne and Brown have solidified Denver’s backcourt rotation if needed. Christian Braun remains sidelined, yet the Nuggets’ bench is outperforming expectations in Jokic’s absence.

Spread Logic:
With Jokic out, some bettors shy away, but Denver’s depth and top-tier offensive efficiency put them in the driver’s seat here. The Pelicans haven’t shown enough consistency to stay close with an efficient Denver group, even if the Nuggets enter as a modest favorite.

👉 Best Bet: Denver Nuggets -2

NBA Best Bet: Trail Blazers +10.5 (at Warriors)

Blazers Injury Situation:
Portland’s injury report is ugly — star forward Deni Avdija is OUT with lower-back soreness, Kris Murray is out indefinitely, and Scoot Henderson, Blake Wesley, and Matisse Thybulle remain sidelined. Yet Jrue Holiday returned and provides veteran leadership off the bench, and role players like Sidy Cissoko and Caleb Love are taking on larger workloads.

Warriors Are Inconsistent Favorites:
Golden State is favored by double digits, but the Warriors have been up and down this season and have just moderate offensive output (115.4 PPG). Their key role contributor Seth Curry is also OUT with a thigh injury for this particular game, further thinning their perimeter firepower.

Why the Spread is Reachable:
Even though Portland is undermanned, they won their last three prior games and still have offensive weapons who can hit 3s and keep possessions competitive. The Warriors’ defense has shown cracks, particularly on the perimeter, and with Curry out, they lose a major spacing and scoring cog.

Value Angle:
Taking Portland +10.5 is not about predicting a win — it’s about recognizing that Portland won’t be blown out by a Warriors team losing key shooting. The Blazers simply need to keep the game within reach. A double-digit spread in this scenario overstates Golden State’s current edge.

👉 Best Bet: Portland Trail Blazers +10.5