NBA Picks for Wednesday, January 7: Best Basketball Bets | Deadspin.com

NBA Picks for Wednesday, January 7: Best Basketball Bets | Deadspin.com

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Jan 4, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) reacts against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The Wednesday NBA card features 12 games, highlighted by an interconference matchup in Boston. The banged-up Nuggets (24-12) travel to TD Garden to face the Celtics (23-12) as Denver concludes a seven-game road trip.

We’ll break down three plays for the Wednesday action. Remember to monitor the odds throughout the day, as the sides and totals market is constantly changing.

Here are the free NBA picks for Wednesday, January 7.

Best NBA Plays Today

Odds Courtesy of DraftKings

Raptors (-2.5) at Hornets

Magic (-1.5) at Nets

Suns/Grizzlies Over (232.5)

Raptors (-2.5) at Hornets

The Hornets are coming off their most impressive effort of the season, destroying the defending champion Thunder, 124-97 as 15-point underdogs on Monday. Charlotte has covered four straight games as the Hornets return home to battle the Raptors.

Toronto has won four of its past five games, including a pair of home victories over Atlanta. The Raptors look to avenge a pair of losses to the Hornets, capped off by a 111-86 home defeat on December 5.

Charlotte has lost four consecutive games as a home underdog and is in a major letdown spot here off its most impressive win of the season against Oklahoma City.

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Magic (-1.5) at Nets

Orlando looks to rebound off an ugly loss at Washington on Tuesday as the Magic travel to Brooklyn. The Magic are 12-1 off a loss since October 30, including five straight road victories in this spot.

The Nets beat up on a Nuggets’ team without Nikola Jokic on Sunday, 127-115 to snap a three-game slide. Brooklyn won that game as a favorite, but the Nets own a dreadful 3-13 mark in the role of a home underdog.

Orlando has defeated Brooklyn seven straight times since February 24, including a 105-98 win in November. The Nets covered as 14-point underdogs, but with this manageable spread tonight, let’s go with the Magic.

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Suns/Grizzlies Over (232.5)

The Grizzlies have a quick turnaround after knocking off the Spurs last night, 106-105 to end a four-game slide. Memphis hosts Phoenix tonight, who came up short in Monday’s 100-97 defeat at Houston to stop a two-game winning streak.

In the first matchup between these Western Conference foes, the Grizzlies edged the Suns, 114-113 in late October. The game easily remained Under the total of 242.5, but tonight’s total has dropped 10 points since that matchup. This is the lowest total between these squads in the past six matchups.

In four of five games against unrested teams, the Suns have combined for at least 231 points. Phoenix is off back-to-back Unders against Houston and Oklahoma City, but the Suns are 5-2 to the Over in their last seven road games on a total of at least 230.

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Deadspin | Reds go against ex-teammate, Rays’ Nick Martinez, in pursuit of sweep Apr 21, 2026; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Cincinnati Reds infielder Elly De La Cruz (44) celebrates a home run with coach Willie Harris (99) during the ninth inning against Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Pablo Robles-Imagn Images The Cincinnati Reds have struggled at the plate this season, languishing at or near the bottom of several key offensive statistics. That changed a bit, though, after their cold bats caught fire over the past 20 innings. Fresh off posting a season-high run total, the Reds will look to complete an undefeated six-game road trip on Wednesday afternoon when they square off against former teammate Nick Martinez and the Tampa Bay Rays in St. Petersburg, Fla. The Reds began the trek by winning all three games vs. the Minnesota Twins, capped by scoring six runs over the final two frames of a 7-4, 10-inning victory on Sunday. Cincinnati followed with a 6-1 win in the series opener against Tampa Bay on Monday and a five-homer performance in a 12-6 victory on Tuesday. Elly De La Cruz recorded his sixth career multi-homer performance, and Ke’Bryan Hayes, Dane Myers and Spencer Steer also went deep on Tuesday. Myers reached base four times as the Reds improved to 10-2 on the road. “I’m really happy for our hitters. If they can breathe a little bit, they’ll be better hitters,” said Cincinnati manager Terry Francona, who is celebrating his 67th birthday on Wednesday. Martinez (0-1, 2.45 ERA), who set career highs in wins (11), losses (14) and innings pitched (165 2/3) last season with the Reds, will be tasked with slowing down Francona’s charges on Wednesday. “It’s gonna be a lot of fun, right?” Martinez said. “It adds another layer to the pitching game. More of a cat-and-mouse (situation).” The 35-year-old right-hander compared his former manager (Francona) to his current skipper (Kevin Cash). “I feel like — not a knock on Tito whatsoever — I’m playing for a younger Tito,” Martinez said of Cash, 48. “It’s been a lot of fun. Obviously, a lot of similarities. They both manage to win the game. Communication is great with both those guys. It really feels like both those guys are really rooting for their players; they care about the players. They want to see us succeed. “And they understand how hard this game is. That’s refreshing. Knowing your manager has your back allows you to play with a certain aggressiveness that usually leads to reward.” Martinez would like to be rewarded on Wednesday after receiving his first decision of the season in his latest trip to the mound. He yielded two runs on eight hits in 5 1/3 innings during a 5-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday. The veteran is 1-0 with a 4.00 ERA in four career appearances (one start) vs. the Reds. Cincinnati will send left-hander Brandon Williamson (2-1, 4.35 ERA) to the mound on Wednesday. Williamson improved to 2-0 with a 2.25 ERA in three starts this month after allowing one run on three hits in 5 1/3 innings of a 2-1 win over the Twins on Friday. While likely happy with the victory, Williamson has struggled with his control. He has permitted 10 walks over his past two outings (9 1/3 innings). Williamson, 28, has yet to face the Rays in his career. Jonathan Aranda belted a two-run homer as part of a three-RBI night on Tuesday for Tampa Bay, which has been outscored 24-10 during a three-game losing streak. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Reds #exteammate #Rays #Nick #Martinez #pursuit #sweepApr 21, 2026; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Cincinnati Reds infielder Elly De La Cruz (44) celebrates a home run with coach Willie Harris (99) during the ninth inning against Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Pablo Robles-Imagn Images

The Cincinnati Reds have struggled at the plate this season, languishing at or near the bottom of several key offensive statistics.

That changed a bit, though, after their cold bats caught fire over the past 20 innings.

Fresh off posting a season-high run total, the Reds will look to complete an undefeated six-game road trip on Wednesday afternoon when they square off against former teammate Nick Martinez and the Tampa Bay Rays in St. Petersburg, Fla.

The Reds began the trek by winning all three games vs. the Minnesota Twins, capped by scoring six runs over the final two frames of a 7-4, 10-inning victory on Sunday. Cincinnati followed with a 6-1 win in the series opener against Tampa Bay on Monday and a five-homer performance in a 12-6 victory on Tuesday.

Elly De La Cruz recorded his sixth career multi-homer performance, and Ke’Bryan Hayes, Dane Myers and Spencer Steer also went deep on Tuesday. Myers reached base four times as the Reds improved to 10-2 on the road.

“I’m really happy for our hitters. If they can breathe a little bit, they’ll be better hitters,” said Cincinnati manager Terry Francona, who is celebrating his 67th birthday on Wednesday.

Martinez (0-1, 2.45 ERA), who set career highs in wins (11), losses (14) and innings pitched (165 2/3) last season with the Reds, will be tasked with slowing down Francona’s charges on Wednesday.

“It’s gonna be a lot of fun, right?” Martinez said. “It adds another layer to the pitching game. More of a cat-and-mouse (situation).”


The 35-year-old right-hander compared his former manager (Francona) to his current skipper (Kevin Cash).

“I feel like — not a knock on Tito whatsoever — I’m playing for a younger Tito,” Martinez said of Cash, 48. “It’s been a lot of fun. Obviously, a lot of similarities. They both manage to win the game. Communication is great with both those guys. It really feels like both those guys are really rooting for their players; they care about the players. They want to see us succeed.

“And they understand how hard this game is. That’s refreshing. Knowing your manager has your back allows you to play with a certain aggressiveness that usually leads to reward.”

Martinez would like to be rewarded on Wednesday after receiving his first decision of the season in his latest trip to the mound. He yielded two runs on eight hits in 5 1/3 innings during a 5-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday.

The veteran is 1-0 with a 4.00 ERA in four career appearances (one start) vs. the Reds.

Cincinnati will send left-hander Brandon Williamson (2-1, 4.35 ERA) to the mound on Wednesday. Williamson improved to 2-0 with a 2.25 ERA in three starts this month after allowing one run on three hits in 5 1/3 innings of a 2-1 win over the Twins on Friday.

While likely happy with the victory, Williamson has struggled with his control. He has permitted 10 walks over his past two outings (9 1/3 innings).

Williamson, 28, has yet to face the Rays in his career.

Jonathan Aranda belted a two-run homer as part of a three-RBI night on Tuesday for Tampa Bay, which has been outscored 24-10 during a three-game losing streak.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Reds #exteammate #Rays #Nick #Martinez #pursuit #sweep">Deadspin | Reds go against ex-teammate, Rays’ Nick Martinez, in pursuit of sweep Apr 21, 2026; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Cincinnati Reds infielder Elly De La Cruz (44) celebrates a home run with coach Willie Harris (99) during the ninth inning against Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Pablo Robles-Imagn Images The Cincinnati Reds have struggled at the plate this season, languishing at or near the bottom of several key offensive statistics. That changed a bit, though, after their cold bats caught fire over the past 20 innings. Fresh off posting a season-high run total, the Reds will look to complete an undefeated six-game road trip on Wednesday afternoon when they square off against former teammate Nick Martinez and the Tampa Bay Rays in St. Petersburg, Fla. The Reds began the trek by winning all three games vs. the Minnesota Twins, capped by scoring six runs over the final two frames of a 7-4, 10-inning victory on Sunday. Cincinnati followed with a 6-1 win in the series opener against Tampa Bay on Monday and a five-homer performance in a 12-6 victory on Tuesday. Elly De La Cruz recorded his sixth career multi-homer performance, and Ke’Bryan Hayes, Dane Myers and Spencer Steer also went deep on Tuesday. Myers reached base four times as the Reds improved to 10-2 on the road. “I’m really happy for our hitters. If they can breathe a little bit, they’ll be better hitters,” said Cincinnati manager Terry Francona, who is celebrating his 67th birthday on Wednesday. Martinez (0-1, 2.45 ERA), who set career highs in wins (11), losses (14) and innings pitched (165 2/3) last season with the Reds, will be tasked with slowing down Francona’s charges on Wednesday. “It’s gonna be a lot of fun, right?” Martinez said. “It adds another layer to the pitching game. More of a cat-and-mouse (situation).” The 35-year-old right-hander compared his former manager (Francona) to his current skipper (Kevin Cash). “I feel like — not a knock on Tito whatsoever — I’m playing for a younger Tito,” Martinez said of Cash, 48. “It’s been a lot of fun. Obviously, a lot of similarities. They both manage to win the game. Communication is great with both those guys. It really feels like both those guys are really rooting for their players; they care about the players. They want to see us succeed. “And they understand how hard this game is. That’s refreshing. Knowing your manager has your back allows you to play with a certain aggressiveness that usually leads to reward.” Martinez would like to be rewarded on Wednesday after receiving his first decision of the season in his latest trip to the mound. He yielded two runs on eight hits in 5 1/3 innings during a 5-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday. The veteran is 1-0 with a 4.00 ERA in four career appearances (one start) vs. the Reds. Cincinnati will send left-hander Brandon Williamson (2-1, 4.35 ERA) to the mound on Wednesday. Williamson improved to 2-0 with a 2.25 ERA in three starts this month after allowing one run on three hits in 5 1/3 innings of a 2-1 win over the Twins on Friday. While likely happy with the victory, Williamson has struggled with his control. He has permitted 10 walks over his past two outings (9 1/3 innings). Williamson, 28, has yet to face the Rays in his career. Jonathan Aranda belted a two-run homer as part of a three-RBI night on Tuesday for Tampa Bay, which has been outscored 24-10 during a three-game losing streak. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Reds #exteammate #Rays #Nick #Martinez #pursuit #sweep

Deadspin | After halting 8-game skid, Royals chase series win vs. Orioles Apr 17, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; Kansas City Royals pitcher Michael Wacha (52) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images Michael Wacha has been the brightest light amid a dismal start to the season for the Kansas City Royals. Meanwhile, Chris Bassitt might have found a needed rhythm following a rough beginning to his Baltimore Orioles’ tenure. The two veteran right-handers will match up in the decisive contest of a three-game series on Wednesday afternoon in Kansas City, Mo. Wacha (2-0, 1.00 ERA), who will turn 35 in July, is second in the majors in ERA, trailing only Jose Soriano (0.28) of the Los Angeles Angels. Wacha has yielded just three runs, eight walks and 13 hits over 27 innings of his four starts. On Friday, Wacha gave up a two-run homer and two other hits over six innings in Kansas City’s 4-2 loss to the New York Yankees. “He’s difficult against any lineup,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro. Wacha is 3-3 with a 5.22 ERA in 13 career starts vs. Baltimore. He is 0-2 with a 5.29 ERA in three starts against the Orioles since joining Kansas City in December 2023. The Royals, however, have some momentum after ending an eight-game losing streak with Tuesday’s 6-5 win to even this series. “We believe in each other, and everyone in here,” star Bobby Witt Jr. told the Royals’ official website. “And that’s how we got to go about it. We got to get better every day and try to improve.” Michael Massey belted a tying solo homer in the eighth inning and Maikel Garcia scored the winning run on a wild pitch in the ninth for the Royals, who will bid to post back-to-back victories for the first time since April 10-11. “It’s a long season. … We have a great team,” Garcia told Royals.TV. “We just keep working, go out there and compete.” Garcia is 4-for-9 in the series, but he’s hitless in four career at-bats vs. Bassitt (0-2, 6.19 ERA). Bassitt allowed 10 runs over 6 1/3 innings while losing his first two starts as an Oriole this season. Since then, though, the former Toronto Blue Jays pitcher has yielded one earned run in 9 2/3 innings as Baltimore won his next two outings. Last Friday at Cleveland, Bassitt yielded four hits and four walks over five scoreless innings of the Orioles’ 6-4 victory. “Overall, good,” he said. “(I’m) able to just execute enough.” Bassitt is 1-2 with a 3.60 ERA in eight career starts against the Royals, with Witt and Vinnie Pasquantino going a combined 2-for-10 vs. him. Meanwhile, Massey’s homer served as the first hit and run allowed this season by Baltimore reliever Nico Garcia. Pete Alonso had two hits Tuesday but is batting just .211 to open his first season with the Orioles after seven seasons with the New York Mets. However, Alonso is 3-for-7 with a home vs. Wacha. Baltimore has lost six of its last eight games and is 2-4 on a seven-game road trip. Fellow Orioles star Adley Rutschman came off the 10-day injury list Tuesday and hit his first home run of 2026. He’s a career .301 hitter with two homers and 10 RBIs against Kansas City. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #halting #8game #skid #Royals #chase #series #win #OriolesApr 17, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; Kansas City Royals pitcher Michael Wacha (52) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Michael Wacha has been the brightest light amid a dismal start to the season for the Kansas City Royals.

Meanwhile, Chris Bassitt might have found a needed rhythm following a rough beginning to his Baltimore Orioles’ tenure.

The two veteran right-handers will match up in the decisive contest of a three-game series on Wednesday afternoon in Kansas City, Mo.

Wacha (2-0, 1.00 ERA), who will turn 35 in July, is second in the majors in ERA, trailing only Jose Soriano (0.28) of the Los Angeles Angels. Wacha has yielded just three runs, eight walks and 13 hits over 27 innings of his four starts.

On Friday, Wacha gave up a two-run homer and two other hits over six innings in Kansas City’s 4-2 loss to the New York Yankees.

“He’s difficult against any lineup,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro.

Wacha is 3-3 with a 5.22 ERA in 13 career starts vs. Baltimore. He is 0-2 with a 5.29 ERA in three starts against the Orioles since joining Kansas City in December 2023.

The Royals, however, have some momentum after ending an eight-game losing streak with Tuesday’s 6-5 win to even this series.

“We believe in each other, and everyone in here,” star Bobby Witt Jr. told the Royals’ official website. “And that’s how we got to go about it. We got to get better every day and try to improve.”

Michael Massey belted a tying solo homer in the eighth inning and Maikel Garcia scored the winning run on a wild pitch in the ninth for the Royals, who will bid to post back-to-back victories for the first time since April 10-11.


“It’s a long season. … We have a great team,” Garcia told Royals.TV. “We just keep working, go out there and compete.”

Garcia is 4-for-9 in the series, but he’s hitless in four career at-bats vs. Bassitt (0-2, 6.19 ERA).

Bassitt allowed 10 runs over 6 1/3 innings while losing his first two starts as an Oriole this season. Since then, though, the former Toronto Blue Jays pitcher has yielded one earned run in 9 2/3 innings as Baltimore won his next two outings.

Last Friday at Cleveland, Bassitt yielded four hits and four walks over five scoreless innings of the Orioles’ 6-4 victory.

“Overall, good,” he said. “(I’m) able to just execute enough.”

Bassitt is 1-2 with a 3.60 ERA in eight career starts against the Royals, with Witt and Vinnie Pasquantino going a combined 2-for-10 vs. him.

Meanwhile, Massey’s homer served as the first hit and run allowed this season by Baltimore reliever Nico Garcia.

Pete Alonso had two hits Tuesday but is batting just .211 to open his first season with the Orioles after seven seasons with the New York Mets. However, Alonso is 3-for-7 with a home vs. Wacha.

Baltimore has lost six of its last eight games and is 2-4 on a seven-game road trip.

Fellow Orioles star Adley Rutschman came off the 10-day injury list Tuesday and hit his first home run of 2026. He’s a career .301 hitter with two homers and 10 RBIs against Kansas City.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #halting #8game #skid #Royals #chase #series #win #Orioles">Deadspin | After halting 8-game skid, Royals chase series win vs. Orioles Apr 17, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; Kansas City Royals pitcher Michael Wacha (52) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images Michael Wacha has been the brightest light amid a dismal start to the season for the Kansas City Royals. Meanwhile, Chris Bassitt might have found a needed rhythm following a rough beginning to his Baltimore Orioles’ tenure. The two veteran right-handers will match up in the decisive contest of a three-game series on Wednesday afternoon in Kansas City, Mo. Wacha (2-0, 1.00 ERA), who will turn 35 in July, is second in the majors in ERA, trailing only Jose Soriano (0.28) of the Los Angeles Angels. Wacha has yielded just three runs, eight walks and 13 hits over 27 innings of his four starts. On Friday, Wacha gave up a two-run homer and two other hits over six innings in Kansas City’s 4-2 loss to the New York Yankees. “He’s difficult against any lineup,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro. Wacha is 3-3 with a 5.22 ERA in 13 career starts vs. Baltimore. He is 0-2 with a 5.29 ERA in three starts against the Orioles since joining Kansas City in December 2023. The Royals, however, have some momentum after ending an eight-game losing streak with Tuesday’s 6-5 win to even this series. “We believe in each other, and everyone in here,” star Bobby Witt Jr. told the Royals’ official website. “And that’s how we got to go about it. We got to get better every day and try to improve.” Michael Massey belted a tying solo homer in the eighth inning and Maikel Garcia scored the winning run on a wild pitch in the ninth for the Royals, who will bid to post back-to-back victories for the first time since April 10-11. “It’s a long season. … We have a great team,” Garcia told Royals.TV. “We just keep working, go out there and compete.” Garcia is 4-for-9 in the series, but he’s hitless in four career at-bats vs. Bassitt (0-2, 6.19 ERA). Bassitt allowed 10 runs over 6 1/3 innings while losing his first two starts as an Oriole this season. Since then, though, the former Toronto Blue Jays pitcher has yielded one earned run in 9 2/3 innings as Baltimore won his next two outings. Last Friday at Cleveland, Bassitt yielded four hits and four walks over five scoreless innings of the Orioles’ 6-4 victory. “Overall, good,” he said. “(I’m) able to just execute enough.” Bassitt is 1-2 with a 3.60 ERA in eight career starts against the Royals, with Witt and Vinnie Pasquantino going a combined 2-for-10 vs. him. Meanwhile, Massey’s homer served as the first hit and run allowed this season by Baltimore reliever Nico Garcia. Pete Alonso had two hits Tuesday but is batting just .211 to open his first season with the Orioles after seven seasons with the New York Mets. However, Alonso is 3-for-7 with a home vs. Wacha. Baltimore has lost six of its last eight games and is 2-4 on a seven-game road trip. Fellow Orioles star Adley Rutschman came off the 10-day injury list Tuesday and hit his first home run of 2026. He’s a career .301 hitter with two homers and 10 RBIs against Kansas City. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #halting #8game #skid #Royals #chase #series #win #Orioles

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