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Friday’s NBA slate didn’t just bring high-scoring games and strong matchups — it brought chaos in the fourth quarter. Key injuries to Giannis Antetokounmpo and Devin Booker shifted lines and opened up live-betting angles, while unsung heroes like Andrew Nembhard and Payton Pritchard flipped spreads outright. Multiple games came down to final possessions, and in-game volatility again decided where the value was.
If you were live betting or tracking injury news closely, this was a slate you could’ve profited from. But if you were holding pre-game slips on short-handed or road-fading teams, things got shaky fast. The betting lesson? Watch depth, injuries, and late-game scorers — they dictated nearly every edge tonight.
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Latest NBA Odds & Lines
Smart bettors always start with the latest NBA odds page. Whether you’re tracking pre-game steam or mid-slate movement, keeping an eye on spreads and totals is critical — especially with late scratches like Giannis and Booker. Staying alert to line movement and how books react to injury volatility is what separates casual plays from sharp ones.
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Utah Jazz
vs
Miami Heat
Open
vs
Jan 24, 2026 21:40 EST
–
Score
–
+7.00 -110
Spread
-7.00 -110
o+246.50-110
Total
u+246.50-110
+215
Moneyline
-263
Dallas Mavericks
vs
Los Angeles Lakers
Open
vs
Jan 24, 2026 20:40 EST
–
Score
–
+4.50 -110
Spread
-4.50 -110
o+234.50-105
Total
u+234.50-115
+150
Moneyline
-179
Chicago Bulls
vs
Boston Celtics
Open
vs
Jan 24, 2026 20:10 EST
–
Score
–
+4.00 -110
Spread
-4.00 -110
o+232.50-108
Total
u+232.50-112
+142
Moneyline
-167
Top Takeaways
- Nembhard went nuclear at the right time: Indiana was trying to avoid a fourth straight loss and did so behind Nembhard’s 27 and 11. Bettors cashed despite a near-blown lead in the final minutes. His poise covered for defensive lapses.
- Boston survived two betting death traps: A double-digit lead blown in regulation, then a 5-point deficit with 8 seconds left in OT — and still a win. Pritchard and Gonzalez saved both spread and moneyline late.
- Denver covered with a G-League rotation: Jokic, Murray, Gordon, Valanciunas — all out. But Strawther and Hardaway Jr. stepped up. A massive road win and ATS swing with most of the Nuggets’ salary sidelined.
- Booker’s injury completely changed Phoenix’s chances: Suns were live until he left. Atlanta then closed with an 8-0 run. Bettors had to re-evaluate live or get caught on the wrong side of a momentum shift.
- Mobley + Mitchell is becoming a cover machine: Cleveland’s combo play inside and out continues to carry value. The Kings were out-rebounded and outscored in the paint all night.
- Pelicans finally turned talent into a win: Saddiq Bey’s 19-point fourth quarter flipped everything. If you backed New Orleans in desperation mode, you were rewarded — but not without sweating another close finish.
NBA Game Recaps
Friday’s slate wasn’t just entertaining — it was chaotic, volatile, and sharp bettors had opportunities across multiple games. Below, you’ll find complete betting-first breakdowns of every matchup. We focus on what mattered: shot variance, player availability, key runs, and closing execution. These are the things that made — or broke — tickets.
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Pacers vs Thunder Recap: Pacers win 117-114
Andrew Nembhard led the way with 27 points and 11 assists as Indiana upset OKC on the road, snapping a three-game losing streak. Jarace Walker added 26 points and Pascal Siakam had 21 as the Pacers finally found answers offensively.
This was a tight one late. Indiana led by 10 with two minutes to go, but Shai Gilgeous-Alexander sparked a 9-0 Thunder run. Bettors holding Indiana +points or moneyline had to sweat Isaiah Joe’s game-tying 3-point attempt — which missed with 3 seconds left. Indiana improves to just 3–19 on the road, but this one paid for backers.
Nuggets vs Bucks Recap: Nuggets win 102-100
Julian Strawther dropped 20 and Tim Hardaway Jr. added 17 as Denver pulled off a stunner in Milwaukee despite missing almost their entire core. Jokic, Murray, Braun, Valanciunas, Watson — all out. Aaron Gordon also left with a hamstring strain at half.
Milwaukee lost Giannis in the final minute to a calf injury. He still finished with 22-13-7, but bettors were left holding busted slips as Denver held off a buzzer-beater from Kuzma. Nuggets backers capitalized on depth — and sharp timing as lineups broke.
Suns vs Hawks Recap: Hawks win 110-103
Jalen Johnson took over late, scoring 12 of his 23 in the fourth to help Atlanta erase a deficit and pull away. He added 18 rebounds and nine assists. Onyeka Okongwu had 25 points and CJ McCollum chipped in 21.
Booker led Phoenix with 31 before leaving late in the third with an ankle injury. That changed the game. The Suns didn’t score in the final two minutes, and Atlanta’s 8-0 run closed it. A live betting pivot spot if you acted quickly after the injury news.
Celtics vs Nets Recap: Celtics win 130-126 (2OT)
Payton Pritchard exploded for 32 points and the game-winning assist to rookie Amari Williams in 2OT. Jaylen Brown had a 27-12-10 triple-double, and the Celtics hit 22 threes — including a last-second bomb from rookie Hugo Gonzalez to force double OT.
The Nets had chances — including a 5-point lead with under 10 seconds left in OT — but Boston never folded. Pritchard’s composure and Williams’ cut under pressure flipped both spread and total bets in the late session.
Kings vs Cavaliers Recap: Cavaliers win 123-118
Donovan Mitchell went for 33 points and eight assists while Evan Mobley had his most complete game of the season — 29 points, 13 boards, and 7 assists. Cleveland controlled the interior all night.
Sacramento got decent numbers from Sabonis (24 and 16), but the Kings have now lost four straight and remain a must-fade on the road at 3–18. Cleveland is surging ATS behind consistency from both its stars and bench.
Rockets vs Pistons Recap: Rockets win 111-104
Kevin Durant led the Rockets with 32 points and Alperen Sengun added 19 as Houston cooled off a Pistons team that came in on a four-game heater. Amen Thompson nearly notched a triple-double again, finishing with 15-9-7.
Cade Cunningham returned for Detroit but struggled, shooting poorly and finishing with six turnovers. Houston’s transition offense and defensive pressure made the difference. A good underspot despite high scoring — if you caught Detroit’s regression.
Raptors vs Trail Blazers Recap: Raptors win 110-98
Sandro Mamukelashvili had 22 and Immanuel Quickley added 20-8-7 to lead Toronto to its third straight win. Scottie Barnes was quiet most of the night but scored 11 in the fourth to help close it.
Portland played without Deni Avdija again (back strain), and it showed. The Blazers had won four straight but fell behind late as Toronto slowed the pace and won on the glass. Bettors who tracked injury reports pre-game saw value.
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Pelicans vs Grizzlies Recap: Pelicans win 133-127
Saddiq Bey saved his best for last — scoring 19 of his season-high 36 in the fourth as New Orleans finally snapped a three-game skid. Trey Murphy added 32 and Zion Williamson had 24 points and 11 boards.
Memphis was in control late, but couldn’t slow Bey. Jaren Jackson Jr. had 26 and Cam Spencer dished 11 assists, but it wasn’t enough. Huge swing for anyone who backed the Pelicans on desperation form or fading Memphis late.
NBA Picks and Handicappers
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