NBA Monday Night Best Bets: January 31st

Another solid Monday night in the NBA with 8 games on the docket, and another 3 value bets. Despite going 1/5 on Friday night, we are still in profit with the NBA best bets, so let’s bounce back and end the month of January on the right foot.

In this article:

• Cleveland Cavaliers vs New Orleans Pelicans
• Boston Celtics vs Miami Heat
• OKC Thunder vs Portland Trail Blazers

NBA Monday Night Best Bets:

Odds available as at 3 pm January 31st 2022. Odds may now differ. 

Cleveland Cavaliers vs New Orleans Pelicans Best Bet

The Cleveland Cavaliers have won 8 of their last 10 games and are now 4th in the eastern conference with 30 wins and 20 losses. They are one of the best teams in the league, ranking 4th in NET rating this season and covering the spread in 30 of their 50 games this year. Although scoring is something they are still struggling to figure out, their defence has been surprisingly sharp, allowing just 102.5 points per game (2nd) and keeping opponents to very low shooting percentages. They are coming off a loss to the Detroit Pistons, but their record against the spread after a loss this season has been 61.1%, and home advantage usually gives them a huge boost.

Meanwhile, the New Orleans Pelicans are 12th in the west with 12 wins and 31 losses. Whilst their home record has been respectable this season, their play on the road has left a lot to be desired, winning just 7 of their 25 games, and covering the spread in just 9. The Pelicans rank 24th in offensive and 23rd in defensive rating in road games this year and are 28th in effective field-goal percentage with 49.4%. They are on a 3-game losing streak and coming off a 97-107 home loss against the Celtics, and I don’t expect them to cover the spread against a much better Cavaliers team.

Tip: Cleveland Cavaliers -8.0 at 1.91 odds

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Boston Celtics vs Miami Heat Best Bet

The Boston Celtics are 9th in the eastern conference with 26 wins and 25 losses on the season and are coming off a solid win against the Pelicans. But the Celtics have struggled to score this season, averaging just 107.9 points per game on 34.0% from beyond the arc and 52.3% on 2-pointers, whilst ranking 20th in offensive rating. They beat the Miami Heat in their first encounter of the season by 78-95 due to an unusually cold shooting night, but the Heat are in much better form now, and I expect a much better performance this time around.

The Miami Heat are now the top team in the conference with 32 wins and 18 losses, having won 7 of their last 10 games. They are coming off an unexpected 120-124 loss to the Toronto Raptors, but the Heat have won 70.6% of their games when coming off a loss this season, covering the spread in 76.5%. The Heat have allowed just 104.5 points per game this year, whilst keeping opponents to very low shooting numbers. Although they have also struggled to score at times, they have been better than the Celtics, scoring 109.1 points per game, and ranking 1st in the NBA in 3-point percentage with 37.7% on 36.2 attempts per game. The Heat have been excellent ATS on the road this year, and they have what it takes to win tonight.

Tip: Miami Heat +2.5 at 1.93 odds

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OKC Thunder vs Portland Trail Blazers Best Bet

Once again the Oklahoma City Thunder are providing solid value in the handicap market, and I can’t be bothered to look away. Whilst they did disappoint last time around against the Indiana Pacers, don’t let the randomness of basketball prevent you from finding value. The Thunder are 63.6% ATS when playing at home and 62.5% when coming off a loss, and their defence has ranked 10th in the league in the last 10 games. Whilst scoring is still a major issue for this young squad, they are playing a team that plays very meagre defence whilst allowing 112.7 points per game. Only 10% of bettors are picking them tonight, giving them solid value once again.

The Portland Trail Blazers are10th in the western conference with 21 wins and 29 losses, and are coming off a 130-116 loss to the Chicago Bulls. Despite averaging 109.0 points per game, the Blazers play no defence whatsoever, and average 112.7 points per game on a whopping 37.0% for 3 and 55.4% for 2. This makes them the second-worst ranked defence in the NBA this year, and they are showing no signs of improvement. In fact, their record on the road this year is terrible at 7-16, covering the spread in just 8 of those games. What’s more, the majority of bettors are picking them to win tonight, making them unbackable.

Tip: OKC Thunder +4.0 at 1.95 odds

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