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NBA Best Bets Today | Expert Picks (Friday, Jan. 26)

Michael Crosson
Michael Crosson Sports Betting Expert
1 minute read

The NBA regular season continues with a pretty decent 8-game slate today -- with a pair of nationally televised matchups headlining the action as Mavericks vs Hawks and Trail Blazers vs Spurs take center stage on NBA TV.

Let's dive into our NBA best bets and expert picks for Friday January 26.

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NBA Best Bets | Expert Picks for Friday, Jan. 26

Suns vs Pacers

by Michael Crosson

Pacers star point guard Tyrese Haliburton has missed eight of Indiana’s last nine games with a hamstring injury, and the result has been quite underwhelming to say the least. The Pacers enter their latest affair riding a bumpy 1-5 skid that included frustrating losses to Portland and Utah, and it seemed like they were destined for more trouble last night with a streaking Sixers team coming to town – however, that was not the case.

The tides finally turned for Indiana in last night’s 76ers vs. Pacers matchup. The Pacers were lights out at the offensive end of the floor as they erupted for 134 points on 57% from the floor and 43% from long range in a 12-point win over Philly.

Even after their latest victory though, the Pacers are still just 2-5 in their last seven games – while ranking 23rd in net rating during that span. With no Haliburton in the lineup again tonight, I believe Indiana is destined to revert back to its recent form in tonight’s matchup against a Suns squad that enters riding a seven-game winning streak.

Pick: Suns -4.5 (-110)

Michael's Best Bets Tracker: 3-1-0 (+170)

Clippers vs Raptors

Toronto Raptors +8 (-110)

With nearly 75% of early public money on the Clippers, we're going contrarian with this one boys.

LA is just 9-10 on the road. It's off three straight SU/ATS home wins, but note that the Clippers are just 1-3 ATS in their last four after three or more straight SU/ATS wins in a row.

And with a much tougher and more high-profile game at Boston tomorrow night, not only does this set up as a "letdown" spot, but also "lookahead." Add those two factors together and you get TRAP GAME!

The Raptors play with revenge here as well after a 126-120 loss at LA at the start of the month.

The Raptors have now lost seven of their last eight, including three in a row both SU/ATS, but note that Toronto is still 8-4 ATS in its last 12 after three or more straight SU/ATS setbacks in a row.

Toronto has had three nights off to prepare fo this one and I expect it to make the most of it. Despite who is on the court tonight, this is a great situational play for the home side.

Grab the points, the play is TORONTO.

For more daily expert predictions, check out our NBA Free Picks page!

Thunder vs Pelicans

VegasInsider NBA betting expert Alex Smart is having an excellent run to close January! Smart is 4-0 in his last four NBA picks -- returning a profit of +400. Click here to purchase his top play for Thunder vs Pelicans tonight.

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Michael Crosson

Michael Crosson

Michael Crosson began his time at VegasInsider as a freelance NBA writer back in 2019 while he continued to study Psychology and Biology at James Madison University. Following his graduation in 2021, Michael joined the team full-time, and he's been with VI ever since. Michael still writes NBA, NFL, and MLB for VI, as well as gambling industry news. He's also become a crucial part of our editorial production team. More from Michael Crosson
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