Navigate

Thursday’s Best NFL, NBA & College Basketball Bets (1/11)

by |

No matter your sport of choice, there's always sports betting action to be had. We'll have you covered each and every day with our daily best bets. Here are all of our best bets across each major sport in action today.

Today's Best Bets

Here are today's best bets.

NFL Best Bets

(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)

Cleveland Browns @ Houston Texans

In Week 16, the Houston Texans managed to score 22 points against the Cleveland Browns with Davis Mills as their quarterback. Fifteen of those points came in the fourth quarter. One would assume the Texans will have more success against the Browns with C.J. Stroud under center, but in reality, this will be a tough game for the potential future Rookie of the Year.

Stroud has struggled against the best pass defenses he's faced. Though he was injured in the game, he managed just 91 yards against the New York Jets and only threw for 140 against the Carolina Panthers. The Browns are the only defense in the NFL better against the pass than the Jets or Panthers.

Without Stroud finding ways to move the ball down the field, the Texans will struggle to put any points on the board. For the third time this season, the Texans will score under 10 points in a game.

Bet: Texans Under 11.5 points (+550)

Check out our other NFL Odds, Picks & Predictions:

NBA Best Bets

(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)

New York Knicks @ Dallas Mavericks

The Dallas Mavericks have scored the first basket in 61% of games this season. They've also attempted the first field goal in 55% of games. However, Dallas has only won the tip in 42% of matchups.

They're great at getting stops early, but that might not happen against the Knicks. The Knicks have earned the tip in 56% of games and hit the first field goal in 61% of matchups. The Knicks have even attempted the game's first field goal in 61% of games.

While Dallas is very good at scoring on its first possession, the Knicks figure to get the ball first. That would give the Knicks a higher probability of scoring first in tonight's game against Dallas.

New York will start with Jalen Brunson, Julius Randle, OG Anunoby, Donte DiVincenzo and Isaiah Hartenstein. In this lineup, Brunson typically does the early work.

Brunson has added 11 first field goals in 36 games started. He's also added the team's first field goal attempt in 47% of games and has hit the team's first field goal in 31% of matchups. Brunson looks even better on paper with RJ Barrett out of the picture. Back Brunson to score first.

Bet: Jalen Brunson (+480)

Check out our other NBA Odds, Picks & Predictions:

College Basketball Best Bets

(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)

UCLA @ Utah

UCLA has lost three consecutive games, all in Pac-12 play, and has not scored 60 points in any of them. Mick Cronin's bunch refuses to play up-tempo (327th in adjusted tempo), largely because it wants to minimize possessions and rely upon a defense that ranks 36th in adjusted defensive efficiency. That is a sound strategy when the team ranks outside the top 323 in both two-point and three-point shooting.

UCLA does not allow teams to initiate early offense, ranking in the top 12 in the longest average amount of time spent on defense per defensive possession. In addition, the Bruins have the size to match up with Utah's mammoth frontcourt of 7-foot Branden Carlson and 7-foot-1 Lawson Lovering off the bench.

Utah point guard Deivon Smith has had a 16:4 assist-to-turnover ratio in the six games he has played since he has been eligible. His presence makes the Utes' backcourt instantly more athletic. However, we must factor in that this is the first game of the Pac-12 weekend slate (with follow-up games on Saturday or Sunday), so rested legs should make for tougher defense.

The Under is 6-1-1 in UCLA's eight games following a loss this season, and we expect another defensive struggle tonight.  

Pick: Under 137 (-110)

Check out our other College Basketball Odds, Picks & Predictions:


Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | RadioPublic | Breaker | Castbox | Pocket Casts

Try Premium for FREE in our mobile app

BettingPros App