Thursday NBA Best Bets Jan. 22: Can Philly upset Houston at home?

Thursday features 8 games on the NBA slate with start times ranging from 7:00 PM ET to 10:00 PM ET. Can the Wizards cover the 5.5-point spread as home underdogs against the Nuggets? Will the Rockets defeat the 76ers by 3+ points at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia? I’ll pick both contests below. Read on for our Thursday NBA Best Bets Jan. 22 article.

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NBA Best Bet: Washington Wizards +5.5 over Denver Nuggets

I like the Wizards here. Washington is primed to cover the 5.5-point spread as home underdogs because of their recent ATS success and Denver’s offensive vulnerabilities without Nikola Jokic. The Wizards are 4-1 ATS in their last five games against the Nuggets and 2-0 ATS in their last two games overall, showing they can keep pace with top-tier talent. Meanwhile, Denver enters this matchup 0-3 ATS in their last three games overall, as they’ve consistently struggled to meet oddsmakers’ expectations with multiple players out of the lineup. At home, Washington’s high-energy transition play should exploit a shorthanded Nuggets rotation, ensuring the game stays within a few possessions. Final score projection: DENVER NUGGETS 116, WASHINGTON WIZARDS 113.

NBA Best Bet: Philadelphia 76ers +2.5 over Houston Rockets

I’d take Philadelphia in this game. The 76ers are well-positioned to cover the 2.5-point spread as home underdogs due to their resilience in bounce-back spots and their historical dominance over Houston. The 76ers are a formidable 13-5 ATS following a loss and have consistently proven their value with a 9-7 ATS record as underdogs this year. Furthermore, Philadelphia holds a significant psychological edge in this matchup, having gone 7-3 straight up and 7-3 ATS in their last 10 meetings against the Rockets. This familiarity, combined with a strong home-court advantage, makes the 76ers a high-value play to win the game outright. Final score projection: PHILADELPHIA 76ERS 115, HOUSTON ROCKETS 112.