NBA Predictions & Preview For Wednesday, January 1st

The NBA kicks off 2025 with an eight-game slate on New Year’s Day (including the Toronto Raptors playing a back-to-back – no partying for them). Here are your NBA predictions and preview for Wednesday, January 1st.

NBA Predictions & Preview For Wednesday, January 1st

New Orleans Pelicans vs Miami Heat

Start Time – 7:30 PM EST

Jimmy Butler is expected back tomorrow night for the Miami Heat (but what color will his hair be?!). And, no, Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram will not be back for the New Orleans Pelicans – until further notice.

The Pelicans are a miserable team – only the inept Washington Wizards are worse – so the points that Miami are laying at home aren’t enough. Miami should be -14.5 here. New Orleans is 1-14 on the road this season for a reason (and that rhymes).

Best Bets: Miami -9.5 (+100)

Atlanta Hawks vs Denver Nuggets

Start Time – 9:00 PM EST

The Atlanta Hawks are starting to put it together, winning four straight games. But three of those were at home, and the fourth was against the Toronto Raptors. Playing – and winning – in Denver is a different matter.

Yet we’re getting a nice line on the Nuggets at home. Denver should be favored by 8.5 points by my math (plus they beat the Hawks by 30 points in their only other meeting this season), so I’m getting in on Nikola Jokic and company on the spread.

Best Bets: Denver -4.5 (-105)

Overall Record: 58-46 (55%)
Profit (based on $100/bet): $697.64
Return on Investment: 7%