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Best NBA Bets Today (Sunday, Jan. 18)
New Orleans Pelicans vs. Houston Rockets: Kevin Durant over 24.5 points, -106 @ FanDuel
Durant is coming off his best performance of the season in Friday's 110-105 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves with a 39-point performance, and it wouldn't be a stretch to say he's going through his most prolific stretch of the season. The veteran is averaging 28.7 points, 6.8 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game over his nine appearances in January while shooting 50 percent from the field and 33.8 percent from three-point range in that stretch.
The 24.5-point line seems a bit low for Durant, not only given his recent performances but also his season averages. He's averaging 26.3 points per game while shooting 51.6 percent from the floor and 40.4 percent from beyond the arc. Furthermore, Durant has also cleared the 24.5-point line in six of his last eight appearances while also being firmly entrenched as the Rockets' go-to option on offense. The Pelicans are among the worst defensive teams in the NBA (28th with 119.2), so the matchup also boosts Durant's chances of putting up a solid scoring line. Only the Wizards and Jazz have a worse defensive rating than the Pelicans.
Charlotte Hornets vs. Denver Nuggets: LaMelo Ball over 25.5 points + assists, -110 @ Hard Rock
The Nuggets have leaned heavily on Jamal Murray of late due to the absence of several starters, a group that's headlined by Nikola Jokic (knee). However, we're going against Murray and his matchup here. Ball has shown he can dominate opposing guards when he's at his best, and he's been playing at a high level of late with averages of 20.7 points and 5.9 assists per game over his last 10 games. The caveat here is that he's played off the bench in his last two games, including Friday's meeting against the Warriors, where he posted 15 points and two dimes in 21 minutes.
Ball has been alternating between the starting lineup and the bench on back-to-back sets, but he's likely to start in this matchup against Denver. Ball is averaging 18.9 points, 6.3 assists and 5.3 boards per game in seven starts this month. The numbers flirt with this proposed line, but with the Nuggets also playing the second leg of a back-to-back and more depleted than Charlotte, this is a matchup where Ball could thrive.
Toronto Raptors vs. Los Angeles Lakers: Scottie Barnes over 34.5 points + rebounds + assists, -113 @ DraftKings
Barnes isn't the one who leads the Raptors on offense regularly, as he shares the go-to role with Brandon Ingram. However, he's the one who often fills the stat sheet due to his ability on the glass and steady role as a point forward. Barnes might be playing on the road in this matchup, but he might have the upper hand against a Lakers team that will be playing on the second leg of a back-to-back while coming off a loss to the Trail Blazers on Saturday.
Barnes' recent performances also back this line up. He's notched over 34.5 P+R+A in four of his last six games, and in six of the past 10. Over that 10-game stretch, the star forward is averaging 20.7 points, 9.4 rebounds and 6.6 assists -- which would translate to a total of 36.7 points + rebounds + assists. At least on paper, this looks like a solid line for Barnes. He posted 24 points, seven rebounds and assists against the Clippers on Friday.
