NBA roundup: Heat top East-leading Pistons in 4th straight win

Thursday’s NBA slate delivered sharp shooting, statement wins, and a few red flags for bettors. Norman Powell erupted for 36 as Miami took down the East-leading Pistons. The Rockets dominated Brooklyn from start to finish, while Tyrese Maxey torched his hometown Mavs with a 34-point double-double. Hot streaks continued, cold trends worsened, and a few key injuries and shooting splits played heavily into the night’s results.

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Latest NBA Odds & Lines

Injuries, pace shifts, and short-handed rotations are moving markets quickly. Stay ahead of the next slate by locking in the latest NBA odds before lines shift on game day.

Los Angeles Lakers

vs

Memphis Grizzlies

Los Angeles Lakers Game Odds

Open

vs

Jan 02, 2026 22:40 EST

Memphis Grizzlies Game Odds

Score

-4.50 -108

Spread

+4.50 -112

o+238.50-110

Total

u+238.50-110

-179

Moneyline

+152

Golden State Warriors

vs

Oklahoma City Thunder

Golden State Warriors Game Odds

Open

vs

Jan 02, 2026 22:10 EST

Oklahoma City Thunder Game Odds

Score

+6.50 -110

Spread

-6.50 -110

o+231.00-110

Total

u+231.00-110

+218

Moneyline

-278

Phoenix Suns

vs

Sacramento Kings

Phoenix Suns Game Odds

Open

vs

Jan 02, 2026 21:10 EST

Sacramento Kings Game Odds

Score

-12.00 -112

Spread

+12.00 -108

o+227.50-112

Total

u+227.50-108

-588

Moneyline

+450

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Top Takeaways

  • Norman Powell buried seven threes and led Miami with 36 points in a key road win over Detroit.
  • Miami used a 15-0 second-half run to take full control after Cade Cunningham opened the third with two free throws.
  • The Rockets shot 57.3% and controlled the glass in a blowout win over a depleted Nets squad.
  • Amen Thompson dropped 23 on 10-of-12 shooting and helped key a dominant third quarter for Houston.
  • Tyrese Maxey lit up Dallas with 34 points and 10 assists, showing full command of the Sixers’ offense.
  • Dallas dropped its fourth straight, shooting inconsistently and getting limited production from Flagg.

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NBA Game Recaps

From big-time runs to standout individual efforts, here’s how each game broke down and where the real betting edges showed up.

Heat vs Pistons Recap: Heat win 118-112

Norman Powell torched Detroit with 36 points, hitting seven 3-pointers and leading Miami to a fourth straight win. He had 19 by halftime as the Heat took a 9-point lead into the break.

Miami responded to Cade Cunningham’s early third-quarter free throws with a 15-0 burst that flipped the game. Jaime Jaquez Jr. added 19 off the bench, while Bam Adebayo posted a 15-point, 14-rebound double-double. Detroit has now dropped three of four.

Rockets vs Nets Recap: Rockets win 120-96

Houston cruised in Brooklyn behind 23 points from Amen Thompson and a third-quarter surge that put the game out of reach. The Rockets shot over 57% from the field and moved the ball well, racking up assists and second-chance looks.

Kevin Durant had 22 and 11 assists, but Brooklyn was outmanned and outworked, playing without key depth. Cam Thomas led the bench with 21 points, but the Nets struggled defensively and on the glass all night.

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76ers vs Mavericks Recap: 76ers win 123-108

Tyrese Maxey dominated his hometown team with 34 points and 10 assists as Philly handled Dallas wire-to-wire. Maxey got help from Joel Embiid (22) and VJ Edgecombe (23), while Quentin Grimes added 19 on 5-of-7 from deep.

Dallas got 18 from Max Christie, but Anthony Davis and Cooper Flagg struggled to impact the game offensively. It’s the Mavericks’ fourth straight loss, and they continue to trend down against the number.

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About the Author
Bill Blatt
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Bill comes from a family of lifetime bettors, starting at the horse track. He grew up in sports betting, which explains his reputation for providing winners across a variety of sports. Bill has experience picking winners in the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and UFC. We’re excited to have him as the Sports Hub expert in his specialty - basketball. You’ll find Bill’s content on some of the top sports media sites in the industry. You’ll want to check his picks daily as he has a knack for identifying the best underdogs to attack.