Best NBA Bets Today | NBA Picks January 7

The NBA's Saturday evening schedule will showcase five exciting matches between 10 of the league's most exciting teams.

In one of earlier matches of the night, Lauri Markkanen leads his Utah Jazz against his former team the Chicago Bulls. Tipping off at the same time is an exciting Western Conference affair between the shorthanded New Orleans Pelicans and Dallas Mavericks. And the reigning champion Golden State Warriors host the upstart Orlando Magic!

Let's take a look at the bets!

Utah Jazz @ Chicago Bulls

When: 8:00 PM EST

Moneyline: Utah Jazz (+100) @ Caesars Sportsbook

The Utah Jazz and the Chicago Bulls will be putting on one of the more exciting matchups on Saturday night. The Bulls are currently ninth in the Eastern Conference, owning an 18-21 record and a 10-9 record on their home court. The Jazz are 10th in the West, having earned themselves a 20-21 record through half the season.

While they aren't the most efficient two-way team in the NBA, the Bulls still score 114.5 points per game (14th in the NBA) on 48.7% from the field (5th in the NBA). On the other hand the Jazz are scoring machines, averaging 117.5 points per game (3rd in the NBA) on 47.1% from the field (14th in the NBA) and 36.6% from three (12th in the NBA).

The Chicago Bulls seem to be the type of team that play up or down to their competition. They looked great against the Nets and some of the upper echelon of the East in past games, but they've also struggled in games where they've been the clear favorite. The diversity of the Jazz's attack should give the Bulls trouble, as they'll already be missing some key perimeter defenders.

New Orleans Pelicans @ Dallas Mavericks

When: 8:00 PM EST

Spread: Dallas Mavericks -7.0 (-110) @ PointsBet

The New Orleans Pelicans and Dallas Mavericks are both looking to get back on the winning trend, with Dallas looking to gain ground on New Orleans in the standings. The Pelicans are currently third in the West with a 24-15 record and a 7-10 record on the road. The Mavericks are fourth in the West with a 22-17 record and a 15-6 record at home.

The New Orleans Pelicans are known as a tremendous offensive team, averaging 117.5 points per game (4th in the NBA) on 48.0% from the field (8th in the NBA) and 36.8% from three (11th in the NBA). They're also aggressive defensively, collecting 8.6 steals per game (2nd in the NBA) and forcing 15.9 turnovers per game (4th in the NBA). The Mavericks are a great two-way team in their own right, holding their opponents to 110.6 points per game (6th in the NBA) while remaining super-efficient in the paint by shooting 57.7% from two-point range (4th in the NBA).

The Dallas Mavericks have the edge in this game, especially with the New Orleans Pelicans missing a number of key players. With Brandon Ingram, Zion Williamson, and Larry Nance Jr. unlikely to play, the Dallas Mavericks should have too much for the Pelicans to handle.

Orlando Magic @ Golden State Warriors

When: 8:30 PM EST

Spread: Golden State Warriors -6.5 (-110) @ WynnBet

Both the Orlando Magic and the Golden State Warriors are looking to get back on the winning track when they face off on Saturday night. The Magic find themselves 13th in the Eastern Conference, with a 14-25 record and a 4-13 record on the road. The Warriors have climbed to sixth in the Western Conference, owning a 20-19 record and a 17-3 record on their home court.

The Orlando Magic score just 110.3 points per game (27th in the NBA), but make up for is by allowing their opponents to shoot just 34.2% from three-point range (5th in the NBA). The Golden State Warriors are a more offence-oriented team, averaging 117.2 points per game (5th in the NBA) while hitting 16.1 threes per game (1st in the NBA) on 37.4% efficiency (6th in the NBA).

The Golden State Warriors enter this game with the benefit of spectacular home form. Orlando are energetic and long, but they're sure to give up a number of opportunities from range and in transition against Golden State. It may be an all-offence game, which is where the Warriors thrive.