Tuesday NBA Best Bets Jan. 20: Timberwolves laying too many points?

Last Updated on January 20, 2026 11:04 am by Anthony Rome

Are the Timberwolves laying too many points to the Jazz at 9:00 p.m. ET tonight? Is the Rockets-Spurs total set too high at 8:00 p.m. ET? Will the 76ers and Suns combine for enough points to get over the total in Phoenix? Our Tuesday NBA Best Bets Jan. 20 column offers suggestions for all three of these games.

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NBA Best Bet: Timberwolves -12.5 (at Jazz)

The Minnesota Timberwolves enter this game as one of the strongest teams in the league (over 80% implied win probability) against a Utah Jazz squad near the bottom of the standings. The Timberwolves have offensive firepower led by Anthony Edwards and solid supporting scoring, while the Jazz have struggled defensively and on offense. Oddsmakers have set a large spread (≈ −11.5), reflecting the discrepancy between these clubs.

Betting Rationale:

Utah is a recent losing team with poor record, while Minnesota consistently covers big spreads against weaker competition.
The Jazz’s defense gives up points in bunches, especially at home late in back-to-backs.
The large line suggests Minnesota winning comfortably, and that lines this big often hit when elite teams face rebuilding opponents.

NBA Best Bet: Rockets/Spurs under 221

This game should trend UNDER due to contrasting styles and recent defensive improvements. The Spurs, buoyed by Victor Wembanyama’s All-Star form and efficient scoring, tend to slow the pace, while the Rockets — despite offensive talent — sporadically struggle to maintain consistent tempo, especially in half-court sets.

Betting Rationale:

San Antonio’s disciplined offense and defense over recent games keeps possessions lower.
Houston’s playmaking sometimes stagnates against length and rim protection.
Trends in head-to-head and not overwhelming fast pace — combined with potential rotation shortfalls — make the total more likely to stay capped.

Best Bet: 76ers/Suns over 223

Both teams boast dynamic scorers and relatively high scoring profiles. Tyrese Maxey and Devin Booker both post elite usage and scoring efficiency — meaning this game has the makings of a high combined point total.

Betting Rationale:

Both teams score above league average and can heat up quickly — especially with Maxey and Booker in rhythm.
Defensive lapses by each squad in transition boost combined scoring chances.
The total sits at a level that feels reachable given these forward talents and shooting tendencies.