NBA January 28, 2026

The Bulls travel to Indianapolis as 2.5-point favorites in a matchup that has gone sideways for Indiana in a hurry. Chicago sits at 23-23, playing solid team basketball after their offseason roster retooling, while the Pacers have cratered to a brutal 11-36 record. Indiana's season has been nothing short of a disaster, and their inability to compete on a nightly basis has been one of the league's most disappointing storylines.

Chicago should control this game with their superior depth and defensive toughness. The Pacers have struggled to generate consistent offense, and their defensive effort has been inconsistent at best. The 236.5 total is elevated, which makes sense for two teams that play at a relatively fast pace, but the Bulls' ability to grind out possessions and force turnovers gives them a clear path to covering this modest number.

Atlanta visits Boston as 6.5-point underdogs in a matchup that looks much different than it would have a few weeks ago. The Hawks completed the Trae Young trade on January 7th, sending him to Washington in exchange for CJ McCollum, and they're still adjusting to their new identity at 23-25. Boston at 29-17 remains dangerous even without Jayson Tatum (Achilles, out for the season), and the Celtics' depth has kept them competitive all year.

The Celtics at -258 on the moneyline reflects their dominance at home, where they've been one of the toughest outs in the league. The 230.5 total suggests a moderately paced game, and Atlanta's transition period makes them vulnerable against a Boston defense that knows how to exploit uncertainty. This is a lot of points, but the talent gap is real, and the Celtics' home-court advantage gives them a significant edge in this spot.

A divisional battle in South Beach features the Magic visiting Miami, who have carved out a 25-22 record with their retooled roster. The franchise has leaned on their young core and coaching to stay competitive after their major offseason shakeup. Orlando at 23-22 is missing Jalen Suggs (MCL bruise), which thins out their backcourt and puts more pressure on their remaining guards to create offense.

The Heat are laying 2.5 at home, which feels fair for two evenly matched Southeast Division rivals. The 229.5 total is one of the lower numbers on the board, reflecting both teams' defensive-minded approaches. Expect a grind-it-out affair where every possession matters down the stretch, and Miami's home-court experience in close games gives them a slight but meaningful edge.

One of the more intriguing matchups of the night features the Knicks visiting a Raptors team that has been the surprise of the Eastern Conference. Toronto sits at 29-19, powered by the addition of Brandon Ingram who has meshed perfectly with their young core. The Raptors are slight -1.5 favorites at home, and New York at 28-18 will provide a serious test of Toronto's legitimacy as a contender.

This is a game between two of the East's best, and the tight 1.5-point spread reflects just how evenly matched they are. The Knicks have been one of the league's most physical teams this season, while the Raptors rely on pace and ball movement. The 224.5 total is the lowest on Wednesday's board, hinting at a defensive battle between two teams that don't give up easy buckets. Both squads will treat this like a playoff game.

Charlotte visits Memphis in a matchup between two teams heading in different directions. The Hornets at 19-28 have shown flashes of competitiveness but remain inconsistent, while the Grizzlies at 18-26 have been devastated by the Ja Morant situation. Morant is dealing with a UCL sprain and has been sidelined for over three weeks, casting a long shadow over Memphis's entire season.

Charlotte is a slight 1.5-point road favorite at -125, which tells you everything about where the Grizzlies are right now. Without Morant running the show, Memphis has struggled to generate consistent offense, and their defensive effort has waned. The 230.5 total is fairly standard, and this game projects as a competitive affair between two squads trying to find their footing in the second half of the season.

Minnesota visits the Lakers as massive 7.5-point favorites, and the the Lakers post-Doncic reality continues to be brutal. the Lakers at 19-27 has struggled mightily since trading their franchise player to the Lakers, and while rookie Cooper Flagg, the #1 overall pick, has shown genuine promise at 18.8 points per game, he's learning on the fly against the league's best. The growing pains are real for a franchise in full transition mode.

The Timberwolves at 28-19 have one of the most imposing rosters in basketball, and they should dominate a rebuilding Dallas squad. The -270 moneyline and 7.5-point spread both point to a comfortable Minnesota victory. The 232.5 total allows for some scoring, and Flagg's talent means the Mavericks won't go quietly, but the talent gap is simply too wide for Dallas to compete for 48 minutes.

Golden State heads to Salt Lake City as commanding 9.5-point favorites against a Jazz team firmly in tank mode at 15-31. The Warriors at 26-22 are navigating the season without Jimmy Butler (torn ACL, out for the season) and relying heavily on Stephen Curry to carry the offensive load. Curry continues to defy Father Time, and his shooting gravity alone opens up opportunities for everyone around him.

The -325 moneyline is steep, but the Warriors should handle this comfortably. Utah has been one of the league's most generous defenses this season, and Golden State's shooting should find plenty of open looks. The 241.5 total is the highest on the board, reflecting the pace Utah plays at and the Warriors' ability to light it up against weak opposition. This is a spots where Golden State should cruise to a stress-free victory.