Table of Contents
Friday’s slate was all about control versus chaos. Denver got its engine back with Nikola Jokic returning and immediately stabilizing the offense, while the Lakers turned it into a track meet behind Luka Doncic. Then you had the swings: Orlando’s 44-21 fourth quarter, Phoenix detonating for 45 in the third, and Detroit having to survive a late Warriors push after Stephen Curry exited.
Latest NBA Odds & Lines
Before you lock anything in, check the board for the latest NBA odds and scores so you’re working with current moneylines, spreads, and totals. NBA numbers can shift quickly when form and availability get priced in, and you don’t want to handicap a stale number. Movement happens, even when the matchup looks simple on paper.
NBA Picks of the Day
This is the kind of slate where I like comparing a few different reads before committing, because several games clearly turned on one quarter. If you want a fast scan of what’s being played across the board, start with basketball service plays.
Houston Rockets
vs
Dallas Mavericks
Open
vs
Jan 31, 2026 20:40 EST
–
Score
–
-11.00 -106
Spread
+11.00 -106
o+221.50-108
Total
u+221.50-108
-588
Moneyline
+450
Memphis Grizzlies
vs
Minnesota Timberwolves
Open
vs
Jan 31, 2026 20:10 EST
–
Score
–
+7.00 -106
Spread
-7.00 -106
o+230.50-108
Total
u+230.50-108
+230
Moneyline
-278
Miami Heat
vs
Chicago Bulls
Open
vs
Jan 31, 2026 20:10 EST
–
Score
–
-5.00 -110
Spread
+5.00 -110
o+238.50-110
Total
u+238.50-110
-196
Moneyline
+166
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Top Takeaways
- Jokic’s return mattered immediately, and Denver leaning on free throws (13-for-17 from him) is the type of scoring stability bettors want when a favorite needs to separate.
- The Lakers game was decided early by sheer pace and production, with Doncic reaching a triple-double by halftime. Once that happens, the opponent is basically trying to win a shootout.
- Orlando’s 44-21 fourth quarter was the clearest late-run signal on the slate. That kind of finishing flips spreads and totals in a hurry.
- Phoenix scoring 45 in the third and hitting a season-high 23 threes is shooting variance in its loudest form. It can bury otherwise reasonable positions fast.
- Detroit winning in San Francisco while withstanding a fourth-quarter rally, especially after Curry left, is the reminder that late availability changes the closing math in real time.
- New Orleans turning a dominant third quarter into a win followed the same theme as Phoenix and Orlando: one quarter can decide the entire handicap.
NBA Game Recaps
Nuggets vs Clippers Recap: Nuggets win 122-109
Nikola Jokic returned from a 16-game absence and posted 31 points and 12 rebounds as Denver beat the Clippers 122-109. Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 22, Peyton Watson contributed 21 and Jamal Murray finished with 20 points.
The swing was Jokic giving Denver a reliable scoring base while also getting to the line (13-for-17). The Clippers had James Harden with 25 points and nine assists and Kawhi Leonard with 21, but their three-game win streak ended once Denver took control and stayed there.
Lakers vs Wizards Recap: Lakers win 142-111
Luka Doncic powered Los Angeles past Washington 142-111 with 37 points and his sixth triple-double of the season. Doncic reached a triple-double by halftime with 26 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds, then finished with 13 assists and 11 boards.
This never really turned into a competitive script because the scoring environment was too high too early. Deandre Ayton added 28 points and a game-high 13 rebounds, and LeBron James chipped in 20 points and six assists as Washington failed in a bid for its first three-game winning streak of the season.
Celtics vs Kings Recap: Celtics win 112-93
Payton Pritchard scored a game-high 29 points and Neemias Queta had 10 points and 15 rebounds as Boston beat Sacramento 112-93. Pritchard shot 12 of 16 from the field and went 5 of 6 from 3-point range, while Anfernee Simons and Baylor Scheierman each added 16 points.
Zach LaVine scored 17 points and Maxime Raynaud logged 14 points and 14 rebounds, but the Kings lost their eighth game in a row. Boston did it without leading scorer Jaylen Brown (hamstring/knee), and the offense still stayed clean enough to avoid late-game variance.
Knicks vs Trail Blazers Recap: Knicks win 127-97
New York rolled Portland 127-97 in a wire-to-wire win. Jalen Brunson scored 26 points, OG Anunoby had 24, Josh Hart added 20, and Karl-Anthony Towns posted 14 points and 20 rebounds.
Shaedon Sharpe scored 26 points for Portland, which ended a winless three-game East Coast trip and lost its fourth straight overall. The Knicks controlled this from the jump and never let it drift into a one-run sweat.
Pistons vs Warriors Recap: Pistons win 131-124
Cade Cunningham scored 29 points and handed out 11 assists as Detroit held off Golden State 131-124. Jalen Duren added 21 points and 13 rebounds, and Duncan Robinson scored 15 points on five 3-pointers.
Golden State’s turning point came late in the third quarter when Stephen Curry exited with right knee soreness and did not return. The Warriors still rallied in the fourth, but Detroit absorbed it and finished the job.
Magic vs Raptors Recap: Magic win 130-120
Desmond Bane scored 16 of his 32 points in the fourth quarter and hit a season-best seven 3-pointers as Orlando beat Toronto 130-120. Anthony Black scored 25 and went 14-for-14 at the foul line as the Magic outscored the Raptors 44-21 in the fourth.
Brandon Ingram had 35 points and Scottie Barnes posted 19 points, nine rebounds, six assists and four blocks, but Toronto’s four-game road winning streak ended. This one was decided by fourth-quarter execution, and Orlando owned it.
Suns vs Cavaliers Recap: Suns win 126-113
Dillon Brooks scored 17 of his 27 points during Phoenix’s 45-point third quarter as the Suns beat Cleveland 126-113. Jordan Goodwin scored 17 and made five 3-pointers, and Collin Gillespie added 16 as Phoenix hit a season-high 23 threes.
De’Andre Hunter scored 17 points and Donovan Mitchell and Jaylon Tyson added 16 points each, but Cleveland’s five-game win streak ended. Mitchell’s eight turnovers stand out in a game where Phoenix was already creating instant separation with shot-making.
Pelicans vs Grizzlies Recap: Pelicans win 114-106
Rookie Derik Queen posted 22 points, nine rebounds and seven assists as New Orleans beat Memphis 114-106. Saddiq Bey added 22 points and eight rebounds and Zion Williamson scored 21.
The deciding stretch was the dominant third quarter that built the margin. Jaren Jackson Jr. and Cam Spencer scored 16 points apiece for Memphis, which has lost five in a row.
Nets vs Jazz Recap: Nets win 109-99
Egor Demin scored 25 points and grabbed 10 rebounds as Brooklyn beat Utah 109-99. Cam Thomas added 21 points and Day’Ron Sharpe chipped in 16 points and nine rebounds as the Nets snapped a seven-game losing streak.
Keyonte George scored 26 points and had seven assists and Kyle Filipowski recorded 14 points and 12 rebounds for Utah, which lost its fifth straight and fell to 1-9 in its last 10. Brooklyn finally got enough two-way production to avoid another late fade.
NBA Picks and Handicappers
If you’re betting NBA daily, the main edge is volume plus accountability. Sportshub makes that easier because you can compare different expert styles in one place instead of locking yourself into one voice. Start by browsing the sports handicappers page, then use the broader service plays hub when you want to scan what’s being released across sports and formats.
Consistency is the other edge. The Bettor’s Handbook keeps your process clean when you’re tempted to chase, and the NBA betting guide gives you a league-specific framework for how to think about spots, scoring environment, and late-game variables.
