NBA Betting Picks for Friday 1/26/24: Targeting Totals in the West

The 82-game NBA regular season offers us a wide variety of betting options, including point spreads, moneylines, and totals. The Association features 1,230 regular season games, which can make sifting through the odds an overwhelming task.

However, various advanced statistics can help narrow the choices. numberFire's NBA power rankings and daily projections paired with advanced stats from the NBA can help give the inside track to winning big.

While utilizing some of the mentioned tools, which NBA odds from FanDuel Sportsbook look like the best bets today?

Please note lines are subject to change throughout the day after this article is published.

NBA Best Bets

Phoenix Suns at Indiana Pacers

Suns -4.5 (-112)

It was a slow start to the season for the Phoenix Suns, but now, they are rolling with seven straight wins. Suddenly, the Suns hold the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference with no signs of slowing down, making them an intriguing bet to win the Western Conference (+700).

Phoenix is playing in their second of seven consecutive road games on Friday against the Indiana Pacers, who are 2-5 over their last seven games. Indiana will also be without their star guard Tyrese Haliburton due to a hamstring injury. As a starter in the All-Star game, Haliburton's value has been irreplaceable for Indiana as he leads the league with a 125.3 offensive rating while carrying team-best averages of 23.6 points per game (PPG) and 12.6 assists per game (APG).

After facing the Dallas Mavericks without Kyrie Irving, the Suns get to square off with another team who is missing one of their stars. I expect Phoenix's hot streak to continue with another win and cover against the spread (ATS).

Looking at Indiana's weak defense could provide enough comfort to make this pick; the Pacers have the league's fourth-worst defensive rating with opponents totaling 120.7 PPG over the last six contests. Phoenix's offense has been rolling with 122.9 PPG while shooting 54.4% from the field and 39.9% from three.

Despite mostly touting weak defensive numbers, the Pacers have a good perimeter defense that holds opponents to only 28.2 three-point attempts per game (fewest). This was on show in January 21st's head-to-head matchup as the Suns shot only 8 of 25 from deep (32.0%). Phoenix still had success with a 57.3% field goal percentage (FG%) while posting 64 points in the paint. Kevin Durant was the star of the night with 40 points and a 72.0 FG%.

The same issues could plague Indiana on Friday as they will be without Haliburton once again. Plus, the defense gives up the most points in the paint per game, and the newly-acquired Pascal Siakam (117.0 defensive rating with the Toronto Raptors) will likely matchup with KD, providing Phoenix's star with another great opportunity to shine.

Ultimately, the Suns' red-hot offense should continue to roll, and the Pacers could lack the scoring to keep up with Haliburton out of the lineup. Pairing a big game for Durant and a Phoenix cover are two promising picks that can be utilized in FanDuel's 25% Profit Boost for a 3+ Leg NBA Same Game Parlay for tonight's games.

Oklahoma City Thunder at New Orleans Pelicans

Under 239.5 (-110)

The Oklahoma City Thunder against the New Orleans Pelicans should be one of the best games of the night with both Western Conference squads well on the path to appear in the postseason. According to FanDuel's NBA playoff odds, the Pelicans are -430 to earn a postseason berth while the Thunder do not even have a line for making the playoffs and are +440 to fall short of the postseason.

Even with Oklahoma City on a four-game winning streak while holding an 8-2 record over the last 10, they are 2-point underdogs on the road. Both squads possess excellent balance with the Thunder boasting the Association's fourth-best offensive and defensive ratings while New Orleans has the eighth-best offensive and defensive ratings. With both teams excelling on each end of the court, settling on a side for the total could be difficult.

OKC is averaging 122.4 PPG over their previous 10 contests, and New Orleans racked up 123.1 PPG during the same span. This certainly points to over 239.5 points. However, both defenses have the means to cut off the opposing team's biggest strengths.

Interior defense could win the day, leading to the under. The Thunder average the fourth-most points in the paint, and the Pelicans give up the ninth-fewest points in the paint. Oklahoma City's interior defense has been even more stingy with second-best mark in opponent two-point percentage while surrendering the second-fewest points in the paint in the league.

Both defenses rank among the bottom three in three-point shots allowed per game. However, the offenses are among the top half with the fewest three-point attempts each contest.

With the total rather high at 239.5, give me the under due to both exceptional paint defenses.

Portland Trail Blazers at San Antonio Spurs

Over 229.5 (-110)

To round out my picks for Friday, I'm targeting another total for the Portland Trail Blazers against the San Antonio Spurs. This time I'm going in the opposite direction with the over.

This matchup probably won't draw the most eyes with the Blazers and Spurs holding to bottom two spots in the Western Conference. In fact, this could be like a nightmare for many NBA fans with two bottom three offenses clashing, paired with inefficiencies and sloppy play. So how will this game have enough points for the over?

The defenses are also weak with Portland touting the eighth-worst defensive rating compared to San Antonio carrying the sixth-worst. The Trail Blazers' defense has given up an average of 121.5 PPG over their last 10 games while the Spurs have allowed 131.0 PPG over their previous 4 contests.

This bodes well for both offenses as each unit holds some potential advantages for tonight. Portland likes to shoot the three with the 14th-most attempts per game, and San Antonio gives up the 11th-most three-point shots per contest. The Spurs' backcourt of Tre Jones (117.3 defensive rating) and Devin Vassell (115.3 defensive rating) have lacked on the defensive end, which sets up well for Anfernee Simons (23.0 PPG) -- who leads the team with 8.5 three-point shots per contest.

San Antonio should have their advantages too as they average the 15th-most points in the paint per game. Meanwhile, Portland allows the fourth-most points in the paint while carrying the worst mark in opponent two-point percentage. The Blazers' starting center Deandre Ayton holds an underwhelming 117.9 defensive rating and could lack the mobility to defend Victor Wembanyama (20.4 PPG).

With both defenses hitting rough stretches, the over feels like a good pick thanks to some advantages for each offense.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.