NBA Best Bets Today (Predictions for Grizzlies-Sixers, Heat-Celtics and Julius Randle)
By Peter Dewey
![Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant. Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant.](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_4261,h_2396,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/426/01ftrteqf796b57rsv74.jpg)
I'm feeling fantastic about today's NBA Best Bets column after grabbing the Memphis Grizzlies Moneyline and +2.5 before Joel Embiid was ruled out on Monday.
If you want some of these early picks, make sure to check out our podcast, Bet & Breakfast, where I'm delivering my favorite NBA bet of the night every Monday at 9:30 a.m. EST!
The Grizzlies aren't the only team I'm backing tonight, as I'm all in on the Miami Heat (who are the best team in the NBA ATS as an underdog) on the road against the Boston Celtics. Plus, it wouldn't be an NBA Best Bets column without me making a pick in tonight's New York Knicks-Sacramento Kings game.
Let's get into all of them as we try to rebound from a 1-2 day on Sunday!
All odds courtesy of WynnBET Sportsbook.
NBA Best Bets Record to Date
- NBA Best Bets Record: 104-110-2
NBA Best Bets Today
- Memphis Grizzlies +2.5 vs. Philadelphia 76ers (-110)
- Memphis Grizzlies Moneyline vs. Philadelphia 76ers (+120)
- Miami Heat +6 vs. Boston Celtics (-115)
- Julius Randle OVER 8.5 Rebounds (-135)
Memphis Grizzlies vs. Philadelphia 76ers: Grizzlies +2.5 (-110) | Grizzlies Moneyline (+120)
The Grizzlies have been on an unreal run dating back to Dec. 26, winning 16 of their last 19 games and covering in 15 of those 19 outings.
That has propelled them to a 34-18 record against the spread on the season (best in the NBA), and what may be more impressive is Memphis has covered in 15 of those 16 wins over its last 19 games.
Joel Embiid is out of this game for rest, but if you listened to our episode of Bet & Breakfast on Monday morning, you could’ve tailed this pick with me before he was ruled out.
Joel Embiid (rest) is out Monday. https://t.co/hdsTKK22AM
— FantasyLabs NBA (@FantasyLabsNBA) January 31, 2022
The Grizzlies have moved to four-point favorites with Embiid out of this game.
I think this game is going to come down to if the Grizzlies can push the pace, as they are ninth in the league in pace while Philly loves to slow the ball down, ranking 26th.
The Sixers are just 7-10 ATS as a home favorite this season, so I think this is a spot where we get some value on the Grizzlies to cover.
Miami Heat vs. Boston Celtics: Heat +6 (-115)
The Miami Heat won’t have Kyle Lowry (personal, out) and Jimmy Butler against the Boston Celtics on Monday night. That has moved this line from Heat +4.5 to Heat +6.
Boston has been playing better as of late, winning three of its last four games to get over .500 on the season.
Miami is the best team in the NBA against the spread as an underdog this season, as it is a whopping 13-3 ATS.
That isn’t the only trend that is in miami’s favor, as the Celtics are just 9-14 ATS as a home favorite this season
Butler’s status will be important when betting on this matchup, but Miami has been unreal with players out of the lineup.
Jimmy Butler is questionable, but Heat +4.5 vs. Boston is one of my favorite bets tonight.
— Peter Dewey (@peterdewey2) January 31, 2022
-- Miami 13-3 ATS as a dog (best in NBA)
-- Boston 9-14 ATS as home favorite
Check Miami's SU record w/out these stars:
-- Kyle Lowry: 8-3
-- Butler: 12-6
-- Bam Adebayo: 17-8
Just look at their record without these key players:
- Heat without Kyle Lowry: 8-3
- Heat without Jimmy Butler: 12-6
- Heat without Bam Adebayo: 17-8
Miami has had multiple players step up this season, and it is top seven in the NBA in offensive and defensive rating. I love getting the points with the Heat tonight.
Julius Randle OVER 8.5 Rebounds (-135)
Julius Randle has only cleared this line in two of his last five games, but since he’s averaging 9.9 rebounds per game I’m going to take another swing at this prop.
Randle has been able to accumulate boards all season, and the New York Knicks are facing a struggling Sacramento Kings team that ranks 25th in the NBA in rebounding percentage.
Jules’ low rebounding games have come when he’s struggled offensively and played less minutes, so maybe facing a poor Kings defense will have him back hunting a double-double tonight.
Peter Dewey’s betting record is 104-110-2 (-14.65 units) in the NBA this season. You can find all of his picks here.