NBA January 12, 2026

Cleveland continues to be one of the league's most entertaining teams, sitting at 21-18 and averaging a scorching 120.2 points per game - good for sixth in the NBA. The Cavaliers' offense has been clicking on all cylinders with Donovan Mitchell orchestrating one of the league's most efficient attacks. At Rocket Arena, this team is even more dangerous, and the total at 250.5 tells you exactly what kind of game oddsmakers expect.

Utah is in full tank mode this season, and it shows. The Jazz have been one of the league's worst teams on both ends of the floor, struggling to generate consistent offense and giving up easy buckets in transition. Lauri Markkanen has been solid individually, but there's simply not enough talent around him to compete with playoff-caliber teams. Their road numbers are particularly brutal.

That 13.5-point spread is massive, but Cleveland has been covering big numbers at home against lottery teams. The Cavaliers' depth and pace create major problems for rebuilding squads that can't match their intensity for 48 minutes. The total screams shootout - Utah's defense isn't stopping anyone, and Cleveland loves to push tempo.

This game is defined by what's missing. Tyrese Haliburton's Achilles tear in Game 7 of last year's NBA Finals has completely derailed Indiana's season. The Pacers have cratered to 6-24, losers of six straight and eight of their last ten. Without their floor general and primary playmaker, Indiana has looked lost on offense, ranking near the bottom of the league in most efficiency metrics. The injury bug hasn't stopped there - Isaiah Jackson, Aaron Nesmith, Ben Sheppard, and Obi Toppin are all sidelined.

Boston is dealing with their own superstar absence. Jayson Tatum's Achilles injury has been the story of the Celtics' season, but this team has exceeded expectations at 18-11 and sitting third in the East. They've won three straight and play with a gritty, defensive identity that keeps them competitive against anyone. Jordan Walsh has emerged as a legitimate starter, averaging solid minutes in his expanded role.

The Celtics without Tatum are still miles better than the depleted Pacers. Boston's depth and defensive intensity should overwhelm a team that can't buy a basket right now. That 5.5-point spread looks almost too generous given Indiana's freefall, but road games in the NBA are never gimmes.

Talk about a revenge spot. Toronto shocked the Sixers 116-115 last night at Scotiabank Arena, and Philadelphia has to run it back immediately on the second night of this back-to-back. The Sixers are 26-13 and firmly in the East's upper echelon, going 7-3 over their last 10 games. Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Paul George form one of the league's most dangerous trios when all three are cooking - Maxey dropped 29 in their recent win at Orlando.

The Raptors are 15-25 but playing better ball since the new year. Last night's win was a reminder that this team can hang when things break right. However, Scottie Barnes (sprained knee) and Brandon Ingram (sprained thumb) are both questionable again tonight. If both sit, Toronto's short-handed roster will struggle to replicate that upset magic. Ja'Kobe Walter and Immanuel Quickley carried the load last night, but counting on that twice in a row is a big ask.

The 2.5-point line is surprisingly tight, but back-to-backs are the great equalizer in the NBA. Philly's legs might not be there after playing last night, and Toronto's crowd will be buzzing after the upset. Still, the Sixers have the talent edge if Embiid plays full minutes.

This is a matchup between two teams going absolutely nowhere. the Lakers is 14-24 and riding a two-game losing streak after getting smoked 125-107 by the Bulls. The the Lakers have gone 2-6 in their last eight and an ugly 1-7 against the spread. Rookie Cooper Flagg is doing everything he can, but this rebuilding roster can't defend or get stops when it matters. It's been a brutal season in Big D since trading Luka to the Lakers.

Brooklyn is somehow even worse at 11-23, having dropped three straight including heartbreakers to the Magic and Grizzlies. The Nets average just 109.3 points per game - 30th in the league - and their young roster is learning the hard way how difficult this league is. They beat the Nuggets 127-115 on January 4th and have been chasing that high ever since.

The Mavs own the head-to-head history, winning eight of the last ten meetings, and the Nets are 1-4 in their last five against Western Conference opponents. But with both teams playing this poorly, the 3.5-point spread feels like a coin flip. Dallas needs to prove they can still win at home, and Brooklyn is just looking for any positive development to build on.

The Lakers have quietly put together a solid season, and LeBron James continues to defy Father Time in Year 22. Los Angeles has been competitive in the Western Conference race, and their combination of veteran savvy and young athleticism makes them a tough out every night. Luka Doncic, acquired from his former team in February, has been sensational alongside LeBron, forming one of the league's most dangerous duos.

Sacramento lives and dies by Zach LaVine's play, and this season has been more struggle than success since the the former point guard trade. The Kings had visions of building on their playoff breakthrough from two years ago, but the roster shakeup and inconsistency have plagued them. Domantas Sabonis continues to stuff the stat sheet with his unique playmaking from the high post, but the defense has been a sieve all season.

That 9.5-point spread is significant for a road game in the Western Conference, even at Golden 1 Center. The Lakers have been money against struggling teams, and their star power should take over in the fourth quarter. Sacramento's crowd will keep them in it early, but LA's depth and experience usually win out.

The Clippers moved into their state-of-the-art Intuit Dome this season, and the new arena has given them a legitimate home court advantage. Kawhi Leonard's health has been the perennial question mark, but when he suits up, LA has the two-way wing talent to beat anyone in the West. James Harden continues to orchestrate the offense with his signature step-backs and dribble penetration.

Charlotte has been a mess this season, caught in that purgatory between tanking and competing. LaMelo Ball's availability has been inconsistent due to lingering injuries, and when he's not on the floor, the Hornets struggle to create quality looks. Their defense has been one of the league's worst, giving up too many easy baskets and transition points.

This late-night West Coast game sets up well for LA. Charlotte's young legs will be tested in the second half of a cross-country trip, and the Clippers' veteran presence should take over down the stretch. The 5.5-point spread is reasonable - not too inflated - and the Clippers have been solid at home against rebuilding teams.