The NBA calendar keeps churning along, and so do our best bets. Monday features an eight-game slate. Here are our four bets for the evening's action.
Cavs @ Magic (+1.5, O/U 215.5)
The Magic dominated the Heat on Sunday night and are on the second leg of a back-to-back as the Cavaliers visit Orlando. Although the Magic don't have the burden of traveling with both games at home, they're 2-6 in the second game of back-to-backs.
Conversely, the Cavs are 6-2 when they have a rest advantage. Cleveland is also one of the NBA's hottest teams, having reeled off seven straight wins to climb to fourth in the East. The more talented, more rested team will squeak out a road victory.
Pick: Cavs -1.5
Clint Capela: Under 11.5 points
While Clint Capela is a rebounding machine, his scoring production often falls behind. He's scored more than 11 points in just three of the last nine games. He's averaging 8.4 points in January and 11.2 on the season.
The Hawks visit the Kings on Monday night, and Sacramento is one of the league's best units at shutting down opposing centers. The Kings allow the second-fewest points per game to centers.
Odds: 125 (playable to -135)
Kyrie Irving: Over 26.5 points
The Mavs' offense is at its best when Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic click.
Irving struggled last game, and so did the Mavs in a 17-point loss to the Lakers. However, Irving had been on a scoring tear leading up to that Lakers loss last Wednesday (the Mavs haven't played in five days since their game against the Warriors was postponed).
In Irving's seven games before that, he scored at least 27 six times. He's averaging 29.6 points in January. Dallas welcomes the Celtics to town on Monday night. Although Boston has an exceptional defense, it struggles to stop opposing point guards, allowing the fifth-most points per game to the position. Expect Irving to get back on track in a favorable matchup.
Odds: -125 (playable to -135)
Jaden Ivey: Over 27.5 points + assists
Cade Cunningham's extended absence due to injury has forced the Pistons to put the ball in Jaden Ivey's hands and give him extended minutes. He's showing why he was a top pick in 2022 and making the Pistons coaching staff look like fools for not doing this sooner.
Ivey's averaging 18.8 points and 5.1 assists per game in January. While his assist prop for Monday night's game against the Bucks is set at 5.5, it's priced at -150. Ivey has recorded at least six assists in six of the last seven games, but there's not enough value at that price.
The Bucks' putrid perimeter defense can't stop scoring guards from getting to their spots, allowing the fourth-most points per game to point guards. Over Ivey's last five games, he's averaging 28.8 combined points and assists.
Odds: -105 (playable to -120)
Sam Oshtry is a sports betting writer at theScore. You can follow him on X @soshtry for more betting coverage.
