2024/2025 NBA Jan 30 Betting Predictions
Thursday's NBA action features 11 games on the slate. Here is a betting preview of the top 3 matchups.
Cleveland Cavaliers (37-9) at Miami Heat (23-22)
The Cavaliers head into their matchup against the Heat with a solid 37-9 record this season, but they've been a bit inconsistent lately, splitting their last 10 games at 5-5. They’re coming off a dominant win over the Pistons, where Darius Garland dropped 22 points and Donovan Mitchell added 21 in a 19-point blowout. The team shot 44% from the field but struggled from deep, hitting just 27.3% of their threes. On the road, the Cavs have had a tough time, losing three straight away games and going 2-3 in their last five overall.
They’ve been putting up solid offensive numbers, averaging 119.2 points over their past five games while allowing 111.8. Historically, Cleveland hasn’t had much success against Miami, going 3-6 in their last nine meetings. However, Donovan Mitchell has consistently performed well against the Heat, averaging 29 points in the last three matchups, while Jarrett Allen dropped 25 in their last meeting.
The Heat have a 23-22 record this season and are coming off a solid 2-game win streak. They won a tight 6-point game against the Magic last Tuesday, thanks to Tyler Herro’s 30 points and Bam Adebayo’s 26. The Heat shot well, hitting 52.2% from the field and 36.6% from beyond the arc, but turnovers were a concern with 16 in the game. They’ve been averaging 112.4 points per game in their last five but have also been giving up 112.8 points defensively. At home, they’re on a one-game losing streak and have a 6-4 record over their last 10 games.
When it comes to the Cavaliers, the Heat have had the upper hand, going 6-3 in their last nine matchups. Tyler Herro has been a standout, averaging 27 points over the last three games against Cleveland and scoring 34 in their most recent meeting. Jimmy Butler has also been dominant, averaging 29 points against the Cavs in the last four meetings, though he’ll be out for this game due to suspension.
Stadium Record
Miami are 6-4 in their last 10 at home. Cleveland are 2-3 in their last 5.
Head to Head Record
The Heat hold a 6-3 record in the last 9 meetings.
Best Bet
I can see both teams have success scoring wise and I like the Over trend. The Over is 14-6 in the Cavs last 20 and 6-1 when they hit the road. Miami are 5-1 against the Over when they face the Cavs and 7-0 when they play at home.
Denver Nuggets (28-18) at New York Knicks (31-16)
The Nuggets come into this game with a 28-18 record but are on a tough stretch, having lost two straight games. They were defeated 129-121 by the Bulls in their last outing, despite shooting a solid 52% from the field. Their three-point shooting was off, though, hitting just 22.2%, but they were perfect from the free-throw line. On the road, Denver’s been struggling, losing their last two games, although they’re still 6-4 in their last 10 away games. Over their last five, they’ve averaged 115.6 points but have been letting up 122.6 points per game.
The Nuggets have gone 2-3 against the Knicks in their last five meetings. Russell Westbrook dropped 27 points in their most recent matchup with New York, while Michael Porter Jr. had a huge game with 31 points. Nikola Jokic has also been a strong presence, averaging 28 points against the Knicks in their last three meetings.
The Knicks are rolling with a 31-16 record this season and have won four straight games. They’re coming off a huge 37-point win over the Grizzlies, where Mikal Bridges scored 28 and Karl-Anthony Towns added 24. The Knicks were on fire, shooting 51.9% from the field and 38.6% from three, while keeping turnovers low at just 10.
Over their last five games, they’ve averaged an impressive 125.8 points per game while giving up 110 points per game on defence. At home, they’ve been dominant, winning three in a row and 7 of their last 10. Head-to-head, the Knicks have a slight edge, holding a 3-2 record in the last five meetings with the Nuggets. OG Anunoby has been a standout in those games, averaging 33 points, including a 40-point performance in the most recent matchup. Karl-Anthony Towns also had a big game against the Nuggets, putting up 30 points in their last meeting.
Stadium Record
New York holds a 4-1 record in their last 5 home games. Denver are 6-3 ATS in their last 9 games when playing on the road against New York.
Head to Head Record
The Knicks have won 3 games in the previous 5 matchups.
Best Bet
New York are in some form at the moment, scoring 143 pts in their last 2 games. So I think they can handle the struggling Nuggets. The Knicks are 5-1 in their last 6 games too.
Same Game Multi
Along with the Knicks to cover, the Over is 6-3 in the Knicks last 9 and 5-2 at MSG. The Nuggets are 6-1 against the Over too.
ew York Knicks -2.5 / Over 239.5 pts = $3.40
Minnesota Timberwolves (25-21) at Phoenix Suns (24-21)
The Timberwolves are sitting at 25-21 this season and have been on a roll, winning their last three games. They beat the Hawks by 8 points last Tuesday, with Anthony Edwards leading the charge with 23 points and Julius Randle contributing 20. However, their shooting wasn’t perfect, as they only hit 39.5% from the field and 30% from three, but they still managed to get the job done. Over their last five games, they’ve averaged 113.8 points per game while allowing 106.8 points to opponents.
On the road, they’ve been solid, winning 4 of their last 5 games and 6 of their last 10. Head-to-head, the Timberwolves have a 6-4 record in the last 10 meetings with the Suns. Julius Randle has been a standout against Phoenix, scoring 35 points in their last matchup, and Anthony Edwards has averaged 30 points in the last seven meetings. Jaden McDaniels also had a solid outing, putting up 25 points the last time these two teams faced off.
The Suns are 24-21 this season and have been in great form lately, winning three straight games. They edged out the Clippers by 2 points in their last outing, with Devin Booker scoring 26 and Kevin Durant adding 24. The Suns shot an impressive 47.1% from the field and a sizzling 46.8% from three, though they had 17 turnovers. Over their last five games, they’ve averaged 112 points per game, while allowing 108.6 points defensively. At home, they’ve been on fire, winning five straight and going 6-4 in their last 10.
The Suns have a 4-6 record against the Timberwolves in the last 10 matchups, but Devin Booker has been dominant, averaging 31 points in the last seven meetings and dropping 44 points in their most recent game against them. Kevin Durant has also been strong, averaging 27 points in his last six meetings with the Timberwolves, while Bradley Beal has scored an average of 32 points in the last two matchups.
Stadium Record
Phoenix have won 5 straight games on their home court. Minnesota are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games when playing on the road against Phoenix.
Head to Head Record
The Suns have lost 6 games against the Timberwolves in the last 10 meetings since 2022.
Best Bet
Should be a tough game between these two sides so I like the Under. The Under is 4-1 in the Suns last 5 and 8-0 against the Western Conference.
