Best NBA Bets Today | NBA Picks January 5

The NBA's Thursday night schedule features a sparse four games between some of the league's most exciting teams!

In a matchup between two young and exciting squads, the Memphis Grizzlies, and Orlando Magic face off. The Utah Jazz and Houston Rockets take each other on in some classic Western Conference action. And the biggest matchup of the night kicks off when the LA Clippers take on the Denver Nuggets!

Let's take a look at the bets!

Memphis Grizzlies @ Orlando Magic

When: 7:00 PM EST

Spread: Memphis Grizzlies -6.0 (-110) @ FanDuel Sportsbook

The Memphis Grizzlies and Orlando Magic face off in what projects to be an exciting game between two confident squads. The Memphis Grizzlies enter this game on a four-game win streak and now sit second in the West with a 24-13 record. The Orlando Magic are coming off a win themselves, but still, sit 13th in the East with a 14-24 record.

Averaging 49.0 rebounds per game (1st in the NBA) and 13.4 offensive rebounds per game (1st in the NBA), the Memphis Grizzlies are going to give the long and athletic Orlando Magic trouble in the paint. While the Magic aren't the most refined team on either end, their length and athleticism do limit teams to 34.1% shooting from three-point range, as well as just 41.9 rebounds per game (6th in the NBA).

Both of these teams are coming off of a win and enter this game on the second leg of a back-to-back. Don't expect a rapid pace, but for this game to be decided by the effort factors - where the Memphis Grizzlies are more dominant.

Utah Jazz @ Houston Rockets

When: 8:00 PM EST

Spread: Utah Jazz -6.0 (-110) @ WynnBet

Both the Utah Jazz and Houston Rockets are on five-game losing streaks, looking at each other as their stepping-stone back toward a win streak. The Utah Jazz's recent 3-7 run over their last 10 games has dropped them to 10th in the West with a 19-21 record. The Houston Rockets own a 10-28 overall record, now sitting last in the West after winning just one game out of their last 10.

The Utah Jazz are known as a high-scoring and free-flowing team. They average 117.2 points per game (4th NBA), while also limiting teams to just 10.6 threes per game (1st in the NBA) on 34.7% three-point efficiency (7th in the NBA). The Houston Rockets aren't so refined as a basketball team but are strong on the glass as they average 47.0 rebounds per game (4th in the NBA) while also holding their opponents to 41.8 rebounds per game (4th in the NBA).

Expect the difference in offensive quality to push this game in the favor of the Utah Jazz. While Houston are tenacious as a team, the versatility of the Jazz should be the difference-maker in this game. Especially given Houston's already present shooting struggles.

LA Clippers @ Denver Nuggets

When: 10:00 PM EST

Spread: Denver Nuggets -4.5 (-110) @ DraftKings Sportsbook

The Denver Nuggets and the LA Clippers will face off in one of the most exciting games in the Western Conference. The Nuggets may have lost their last game, but they currently sit tied for first in the Western Conference with a 24-13 record. The LA Clippers have gone on a three-game losing streak, now ranking sixth in the West with a 21-28 record.

The LA Clippers are one of the NBA's most capable defensive teams. They allow just 109.4 points per game (4th in the NBA) on 45.7% from the field (5th in the NBA) and 34.0% from three (4th in the NBA). Denver's quality skews more toward the offensive side of the ball. They average 116.4 points per game (6th in the NBA) on 50.8% from the field (2nd in the NBA), 39.8% from three (1st in the NBA), and accumulate 28.7 assists per game (2nd in the NBA).

Never count out the Clippers, as their defense has shown itself to be capable of shutting down some of the toughest teams. But Denver's dominance in the paint and on the perimeter should give them the edge. Especially when you consider Kawhi Leonard's participation isn't guaranteed for this matchup.