Best NBA Bets Today | NBA Picks January 13

The NBA's Friday night schedule is set to put on nine exciting games throughout the evening!

In the Eastern Conference, the Atlanta Hawks and Indiana Pacers jockey for position in the standings. The New Orleans Pelicans continue their Eastern Conference road trip with a match against the Detroit Pistons. And in a rematch of last week's massive Western Conference matchup, the Denver Nuggets face the LA Clippers!

Let's check out the bets!

Atlanta Hawks @ Indiana Pacers

When: 7:00 PM EST

Spread: Atlanta Hawks -4.0 (-106) @ FanDuel Sportsbook

Both the Atlanta Hawks and Indiana Pacers are looking to get back in the win column when they face off on Friday night! The Atlanta Hawks have fallen to ninth in the Eastern Conference with a 19-22 record and an 8-13 road record. The Indiana Pacers have fallen to seventh in the East, with a 23-19 overall record and a 15-7 home record.

The Hawks are a team that struggle on the defensive end while also remaining inefficient on offense. Atlanta allow 116.3 points per game (21st in the NBA) on 47.4% from the field (20th in the NBA) while shooting just 46.8% from the field (19th in the NBA) and 33.2% from three (27th in the NBA) themselves. The Indiana Pacers are definitely a pacey offensive team, choosing to focus on ball movement with their 26.9 assists per game (5th in the NBA) and three-point shooting with their 36.8% three-point efficiency (10th in the NBA).

Both teams may be missing key players for this matchup. Trae Young and Clint Capela missed the Hawks' last game, while Tyrese Haliburton is expected to be out for at least two weeks. On paper, the Hawks should take this game. Adjust your choice given a change in availability, but with Atlanta expecting to have their key pieces back it's their game to lose.

New Orleans Pelicans @ Detroit Pistons

When: 7:00 PM EST

Spread: New Orleans Pelicans -4.5 (-110) @ Caesars Sportsbook

Both the Pelicans and Pistons are looking to use the other as a springboard for improved play. The Detroit Pistons are 14th in the Eastern Conference with a 12-33 overall record and a 6-14 home record. The New Orleans Pelicans are comfortably third in the Western Conference, with a 25-17 record and an 8-12 road record.

Despite New Orleans' injuries, they've been able to find some success during this turbulent period. Through their three-game losing streak, New Orleans have allowed their opponents 121.3 points per game on 51.8% from the field and 39.3% from deep. The Detroit Pistons will look to channel their shooting from the last game, a win over the Timberwolves where they converted on 17 threes at 53.1% efficiency.

The Detroit Pistons were on fire in their last game, but they'll be facing a much more deliberate and measured defense against the New Orleans Pelicans. Expect the interior presence of the Pelicans to be a difference-maker in this matchup.

Denver Nuggets @ LA Clippers

When: 10:00 PM EST

Moneyline: Denver Nuggets (-103) @ Unibet NJ

The Denver Nuggets and LA Clippers meet for the third time this season. The Denver Nuggets are still at the top of the Western Conference with a 28-13 overall record and a 10-10 road record. The LA Clippers have fallen off in terms of form, now sitting sixth in the Western Conference with a 22-21 record and a 12-9 home record.

The Nuggets have been dominant in their last four games, scoring 122.8 points on 51.4% from the field and 41.5% from three, while also dishing 28.8 assists per game. On the other hand, the Clippers have struggled through their recent 1-6 run. LA have allowed their opponents 117.1 points per game on 49.7% from the field and 33.9% from three.

It's unlikely that Paul George will return to the lineup for the Clippers, while Denver have continued to look like the best team in the NBA. The Clippers have the potential to take Denver down, but it's a long shot given their form and injuries. Take the Nuggets.