NBA January 20, 2026

The Sixers have quietly turned into one of the hottest teams in basketball over the past three weeks, and that surge directly coincides with Joel Embiid finally looking healthy. Philadelphia has gone 5-2 in January with the fourth-best net rating in the NBA during that stretch, posting top-five marks on both ends of the floor. When Embiid is right, the Sixers transform from a lottery team into a legitimate contender, and he's been very right lately. Over his last 11 games, the big man is averaging 23.8 points, 13.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.2 blocks while looking spry and engaged on defense for the first time in what feels like years.

Tyrese Maxey has taken another leap this January, averaging a ridiculous 28.4 points, 5.4 assists, 4.6 rebounds, 2.2 steals, and 1.4 blocks while shooting 50.3% from the field and 42.3% from deep. His defensive playmaking has become elite. Maxey set a career-high with eight steals against Indiana earlier this month, and he's regularly generating turnovers that fuel Philadelphia's transition attack. When Embiid anchors the defense and Maxey creates havoc on the perimeter, the Sixers become one of the most difficult teams to score against efficiently.

Phoenix (25-17) is trying to find their identity after the Kevin Durant trade sent shockwaves through the franchise last summer. The Suns acquired Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and a haul of picks for Durant, committing to a youth movement around Devin Booker. The results have been mixed. Phoenix ranks just 22nd in offensive rating at 114.4 points per 100 possessions, a far cry from the elite offenses they fielded with Durant in the lineup. On the flip side, their defense has improved dramatically to 5th in opponent points allowed at 111.7, suggesting the Brooks acquisition has paid dividends on that end.

The total of 223.5 feels right given Philadelphia's defensive identity at home versus Phoenix's struggles to score at an elite clip. The Sixers' 22-18 record doesn't tell the whole story of where this team is heading with Embiid healthy. They've beaten quality opponents convincingly when their stars are engaged, and Wells Fargo Center provides an atmosphere that few road teams handle well. The 1.5-point spread is essentially a pick'em, which suggests the market isn't fully buying Philly's January surge. The Suns have the backcourt firepower to keep this close, but Embiid's size advantage in the paint could be the deciding factor in a game that profiles as low-scoring and physical.

The Clippers' season has been a rollercoaster ride that encapsulates everything unpredictable about the NBA. They started 5-16, including a 2-13 November that was legitimately the worst month in franchise history. Then something clicked. LA entered 2026 riding a five-game winning streak, the longest active streak in the league at the time. Their 18-23 record still places them 12th in the Western Conference, but the trajectory has shifted dramatically. Kawhi Leonard has found his rhythm, leading the team in scoring, while James Harden continues to orchestrate the offense with his pick-and-roll mastery alongside Ivica Zubac.

The Clippers' offensive rating of 116.6 (12th in the league) masks their defensive vulnerabilities, where they rank 22nd at 117.5 per 100 possessions. That -0.9 net rating tells you this is a team that wins ugly when they win at all. Chris Paul's return to LA for a second stint has provided veteran stability, but at 40 years old, his impact is more situational than transformative. What LA does well is shoot the three, ranking 10th in the league at 36.8%, which can steal games against teams that don't protect the arc.

Chicago (19-22) presents an intriguing contrast. The Bulls started the season 5-0, their best opening since the 1996-97 championship year, before reality set in with a vengeance. A seven-game losing streak from November to December exposed the roster's limitations, and they've settled into a pattern of maddening inconsistency. Their 114.8 offensive rating ranks 18th, while their 118.1 defensive rating (25th) shows why they struggle to close games. The -3.4 net rating tells you everything about where this team stands relative to playoff contention.

The total of 226.5 accounts for both teams' defensive deficiencies, but neither offense is elite enough to consistently exploit those weaknesses. The Clippers' recent surge deserves respect, while the Bulls' home record and familiarity with United Center give them a slight edge in a matchup of similarly flawed rosters. Josh Giddey's potential return after completing a G League rehab assignment could provide Chicago with the playmaking boost they've lacked. This profiles as a rock fight between two teams trying to figure out their identity, with the home crowd potentially being the deciding factor in a tight fourth quarter.

This is the marquee matchup of the night, a Texas showdown between two of the most fascinating teams in the Western Conference. Victor Wembanyama just earned his first NBA All-Star start, and he's been playing like it. The 7'4" phenomenon is averaging 24.5 points, 10.9 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and a league-leading 2.6 blocks while shooting 52% from the field and 39% from deep. Last night against Utah, he poured in 33 points on seven three-pointers after hearing the All-Star news. Two nights before that, he dropped 39 on the Timberwolves. San Antonio (27-12) sits second in the Western Conference, and Wembanyama is the engine driving everything.

The Spurs rank 2nd in the league in rebounding (46.7 RPG) and 7th in opponent points allowed (112.8), establishing themselves as the defensive force many expected with Wembanyama patrolling the paint. Despite missing 12 games with a calf strain in November and two more in January with a hyperextended knee, Wemby has pushed this franchise to heights nobody anticipated. His efficiency improvements this season have been remarkable, shooting career-bests across the board while expanding his three-point volume.

Houston (25-15) has been impressive without Fred VanVleet, who tore his ACL and is out for the season. The Rockets acquired Kevin Durant from Phoenix in that massive seven-team trade last summer, and he's been everything Houston hoped for, averaging 26.3 points per game to lead the team. Alperen Sengun has emerged as one of the best passing centers in basketball (6.4 APG), and Houston's league-leading rebounding (49.2 RPG) allows them to dominate the glass on both ends. Their 120.2 offensive rating (4th) and 113.6 defensive rating (9th) create a +6.6 net rating that ranks 4th in the NBA.

The total of 221.5 feels low for two teams that can score, but both defenses rank in the top 10, and this game could become a half-court grinder. The Wembanyama vs. Durant matchup is a generational clash of styles. Durant's isolation scoring versus Wembanyama's rim protection is the chess match that will define this game. Houston's home court advantage at Toyota Center matters, but San Antonio has been excellent on the road. The 4.5-point spread suggests the market respects what the Spurs have built around their franchise cornerstone while acknowledging Houston's firepower with Durant running the show.

Anthony Edwards is playing the best basketball of his career, and the numbers are staggering. In January alone, he's scored at least 23 points in all seven appearances while averaging 31.7 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 4.1 assists. Last night, Edwards dropped a career-high 55 points on San Antonio, including 39 in the second half and 26 in the fourth quarter alone, nearly engineering an impossible comeback from down 25 at halftime. He knocked down a season-best nine three-pointers and reached 50 points for the third time in his career. At 24 years old, Edwards has already eclipsed 10,000 career points, becoming just the seventh player in NBA history to reach that milestone before turning 25.

Minnesota (27-16) ranks 4th in points per game (120.0 PPG) with elite offensive creation and improving defense (114.5 opponent PPG, 11th). The Timberwolves' supporting cast of Rudy Gobert, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Jaden McDaniels provides the defensive infrastructure that allows Edwards to take risks offensively. This is a team built to win in the playoffs, with length and versatility at every position. Their 26.9 assists per game (10th) shows the ball movement is genuine, not just Edwards isolation after isolation.

Utah (14-28) is in full tank mode, whether they admit it publicly or not. The Jazz hold the third-worst record in the Western Conference and the sixth-worst in the entire NBA. Their 126.9 opponent points allowed is dead last in the league, a defensive sieve that good offenses exploit ruthlessly. Lauri Markkanen (27.9 PPG) continues to put up empty calories on a bad team, while rookie Ace Bailey (5th overall pick) shows flashes that hint at future promise. Keyonte George leads the team in assists (6.8), and Jusuf Nurkic anchors the middle with 10.0 rebounds per game, but none of it translates to wins.

The total of 244.5 is enormous, but both teams play fast and Utah's defense is non-existent. Minnesota should score at will against the league's worst defense, while Utah's offense (119.1 PPG, 7th) is competent enough to put up points even in losses. The 10.5-point spread is significant, but Edwards is in that zone where double-digit road favorites feel reasonable. The Jazz's 30.1 assists per game (2nd in NBA) suggests they move the ball well, they just can't stop anyone. This profiles as a shootout where Minnesota's superior talent eventually creates separation in the second half.

This is the strangest Lakers-Nuggets matchup in years, and it has nothing to do with LeBron James or Anthony Davis. Nikola Jokic is out. The three-time MVP suffered a left knee hyperextension and has missed nine straight games, with his return potentially 2-3 weeks away. Without Jokic, Denver (29-14) has somehow climbed to 3rd in the Western Conference, a testament to their depth and coaching. At 28-13 before the injury, the Nuggets were on pace to match their franchise-record 57 wins. They've maintained that trajectory without their best player, which speaks volumes about what Michael Malone has built.

The Nuggets lead the NBA in scoring at 122.6 points per game, and that number has held steady even without Jokic orchestrating the offense. Denver's supporting cast of Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr., and Aaron Gordon has stepped up magnificently. The altitude advantage at Ball Arena remains one of the most underrated home-court edges in sports. Visiting teams consistently struggle with conditioning in Mile High air, and even the Lakers, with their veteran core, aren't immune to those effects.

Los Angeles (24-16) enters this matchup as road favorites for the first time against Denver in what feels like forever. LeBron James, somehow still a dominant force at 40 years old, continues averaging around 25 points, 8 assists, and 7.5 rebounds. Anthony Davis anchors one of the league's most fearsome frontcourts, though the Lakers' 118.4 defensive rating (26th) suggests the team defense hasn't matched Davis's individual excellence. Their 118.0 offensive rating (7th) shows the firepower exists, but their 34.5% three-point shooting (23rd) creates spacing concerns against disciplined defenses.

The total of 228.5 reflects both teams' offensive capabilities, though Denver without Jokic becomes more volatile and less predictable. The Lakers being 2.5-point favorites on the road against a winning Denver team tells you everything about how the market views Jokic's absence. LA is 4-4 since January 1st, showing some inconsistency, but this is exactly the type of statement game that LeBron and Davis tend to elevate for. The altitude and Denver's depth make this closer than the spread suggests, but without Jokic to punish the Lakers' frontcourt, LA has a clear path to victory through Davis dominance in the paint.

The Warriors are holding their breath after Jimmy Butler went down with a right knee injury in last night's win over Miami. Butler was helped off the court unable to put weight on his right leg, and an MRI was scheduled for Monday night. Steve Kerr described the locker room mood as "subdued" and "concerned," which doesn't inspire confidence. Butler has been everything Golden State hoped for since arriving from Miami in that February 2025 trade, averaging 20.1 points on 51.9% shooting, 5.6 rebounds, and 4.9 assists while leading the team with 1.4 steals per game.

Even before Butler's injury, the Warriors (25-19) have been surging. They've won 12 of their last 16 games, climbing to 8th in the Western Conference after a sluggish start to the season. Steph Curry earned his 11th All-Star start selection and has been vintage this season, leading the league in three-pointers made (4.5 per game) while averaging 27.6 points, 4.9 assists, and 3.8 rebounds at age 37. Last night against Miami, Curry added 19 points and 11 assists, showing his playmaking has expanded even as his shooting remains elite.

Toronto (25-18) sits 4th in the Eastern Conference, a testament to the Brandon Ingram trade paying dividends. Ingram, who came over from New Orleans in February 2025, is averaging 21.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 3.8 assists while taking 17.2 shots per game. His mid-range game remains automatic, and alongside Scottie Barnes, the Raptors have formed a two-way foundation that can compete with anyone. The Raptors lost 121-117 to the Clippers on Friday and then fell 110-93 to the Lakers on Sunday, dropping two straight heading into this matchup.

The total of 226.5 accounts for Golden State's transition-heavy attack and Toronto's ability to score in bunches through Ingram's isolation creation. The 3.5-point spread would normally favor the Warriors at Chase Center, but Butler's status looms over everything. If he's out, Curry will need to shoulder an enormous offensive burden against a Raptors team hungry to snap their two-game skid. Toronto's depth and Ingram's shot-making ability make them live underdogs, especially if the Warriors are playing without their second-best player. This game could swing dramatically based on pre-game injury news.

The Kings have become one of the NBA's most fascinating train wrecks this season. Sacramento (12-31) holds the second-worst record in the Western Conference after trading De'Aaron Fox to San Antonio in February 2025 and watching their season spiral into full rebuild mode. Domantas Sabonis missed 27 games with a partial meniscus tear and is just now working his way back, likely on a minutes restriction. The team that lit the beam and energized Sacramento basketball culture just two years ago has completely unraveled, and the trade deadline looms with Malik Monk firmly on the block.

What's intriguing about the Kings is their recent four-game winning streak. Just over a week ago, they sat in last place in the Western Conference. Now, with the league's easiest remaining schedule and Sabonis trending toward full health, they're actually winning games. New head coach Doug Christie, hired in May 2025, is trying to build something sustainable amidst the chaos. The question is whether management commits to tanking or lets these accidental wins derail their lottery odds.

Miami (21-19) is building around Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo in the post-Jimmy Butler era. Herro made the All-Star team last season and won the three-point contest, establishing himself as a legitimate franchise cornerstone. The Heat finished 12-20 after trading Butler to Golden State, but this season they've stabilized around their young core. Andrew Wiggins, acquired in that Butler trade, has provided scoring punch on the wing. Pat Riley's mantra of "next man up" continues to define Miami's culture, even as the roster undergoes significant transition.

The total of 236.5 is the highest on the board, reflecting Sacramento's complete inability to defend. The Kings allow the third-most points per game in the league, and Miami's spacing with Herro and Wiggins should create open looks all night. The 2.5-point spread with the Heat as road favorites tells you everything about where the Kings stand. This is a buy-low opportunity on Sacramento if you believe their recent surge is real, or a spot to hammer Miami's superior talent if you think the Kings' wins were fluky. Either way, expect a high-scoring affair with minimal defensive resistance from the home team.