It’s Taco Tuesday on PrizePicks, and we are hopeful to get a few discounts to use for today’s three-game NBA slate. We’ll tip off the night with a matchup between the two most recent MVPs in Philadelphia: Joel Embiid vs. Nikola Jokic. The 76ers are favored by 1 point, while the game has a 233.5 total. We have Kings-Suns in Phoenix at 9:00 PM ET with a 244.5 total, and we’ll close out the night with Thunder-Clippers in Los Angeles. Selecting the right projections may be challenging, but with the assistance of OddsShopper’s NBA PrizePicks optimizer and thorough research, we’ve got you covered. Let’s dive into the best PrizePicks NBA picks and player predictions for Jan. 16, starting with Tobias Harris. Need more action? Our PrizePicks optimizer has plenty more picks waiting for you to view, and our PrizePicks guide can help you make the sharpest plays possible.
PrizePicks NBA Player Predictions: Tobias Harris & More
Tobias Harris M/L 16.5 Points
The 76ers will host the Nuggets as 1-point home favorites tonight, with all eyes on Joel Embiid vs. Nikola Jokic. However, I’m highlighting Tobias Harris, who has a tough matchup against Denver, known for being stingy against forwards. They allow the fewest three-pointers, points, and field goal attempts to forwards, likely due to the length of Michael Porter Jr. and Aaron Gordon.
Harris is averaging 17.7 points per game but has gone under in 6 of 8 matchups against Denver. His points average is a bit inflated, as he’s averaged 21.8 points per game without Embiid, who has missed nine games this season. With Embiid in the lineup in 28 games, Harris is averaging just 16.4 points. The 233-point game total leans toward more defense, while this is a pace-down spot for Philadelphia as Denver ranks 28th in pace.
Best PrizePicks NBA Player Prediction: Tobias Harris Less Than 16.5 Points
Jamal Murray M/L 23.5 Points
In the same game on the other bench, I like less than for Jamal Murray‘s point total. Murray is averaging 24.1 points per game in January on 32 minutes, and in 10 games on the road this season, he’s averaging 22.1 points. I mentioned Nuggets playing with a slow pace, but what I didn’t mention is that the entire starting lineup was listed questionable for this game. Everyone is now probable, but this tells me they are a little banged up, and that’s not good for Murray, who gets a tough matchup against the 76ers.
Philadelphia allows the second fewest points to points guards on the season and has the third-best defensive rating, even with Embiid missing nine games. We are getting even odds for most books at -110, while DraftKings has this at -130, and FanDuel has a projection of 22.5 points.
Best PrizePicks NBA Player Prediction: Jamal Murray Less Than 23.5 Points
James Harden M/L 3.5 Free Throws Made
The Clippers are seven-point home favorites over the Thunder, who are playing the second leg of the Los Angeles back-to-back. The Thunder lost last night to the Lakers, and while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was listed questionable, he’s now off the injury report. Meanwhile, the Clippers will be playing without Ivica Zubac and will likely start Daniel Theis, who is more of a passer than Zubac is. James Harden should take advantage of that in a prime matchup against Oklahoma City.
The Thunder rank dead last, allowing the most points, three-pointers, and free-throws to opposing guards. Harden is averaging 4.2 free-throws per game and went 5 for 6 in their previous matchup this season. With Zubac out of the paint, it should open up the lane more for Harden to drive and take advantage of this great matchup from the charity stripe.
Best PrizePicks NBA Player Prediction: James Harden More Than 3.5 Free Throws Made
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