Thursday NBA Best Bets Jan. 15: Can Houston cover as home dogs against OKC?

Thursday features 9 games on the NBA slate with start times ranging from 2:00 PM ET to 10:30 PM ET. Can the Thunder cover the 3.5-point spread as road favorites against the Rockets? Will the Hawks defeat the Trail Blazers by 4+ points at Moda Center in Portland? I’ll pick both contests below. Read on for our Thursday NBA Best Bets Jan. 15 article.

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NBA Best Bet: Houston Rockets +3.5 over Oklahoma City Thunder

I like Houston here. The Rockets are in a good spot to cover the 3.5-point spread at home because of their home-court advantage and elite shot creation. This season, Houston has been a perfect 3-0 ATS as an underdog, proving they thrive when the market underestimates them. Their consistency is further backed by a 17-14 ATS record in non-division games and a dominant 5-2 ATS mark in their last seven games against the Thunder. With Alperen Sengun’s interior scoring and rebounding and a top-tier home defense, the Rockets should keep this within a single possession or pull off the outright upset. Final score projection: HOUSTON ROCKETS 121, OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER 119.

NBA Best Bet: Portland Trail Blazers +3.5 over Atlanta Hawks

I’d take Portland in this game. The Trail Blazers are well-positioned to cover the 3.5-point spread as home underdogs because they’re at home in a rebound spot. This season, Portland has been remarkably reliable in this position, posting an impressive 10-4 ATS record as a home underdog. Their ability to bounce back is evident in their 12-9 ATS mark following a loss, paired with a steady 6-5 ATS record in non-conference matchups this season. Facing a shorthanded Hawks rotation, the Blazers’ home-court grit and Deni Avdija’s playmaking should keep this contest close throughout, with Portland having a good chance to pull it out at the end. Final score projection: PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS 117, ATLANTA HAWKS 114.