Best NBA Bets Today | NBA Picks January 17

After the NBA's Martin Luther King Jr. Day schedule, the league is putting on a more subdued four-game evening.

The Brooklyn Nets look to get back on the winning trend when they take on the San Antonio Spurs. A big match in the West kicks off when the Denver Nuggets and Portland Trail Blazers match up. And in the marquee match of the night the Philadelphia 76ers take on the LA Clippers!

Let's check out the bets!

Brooklyn Nets @ San Antonio Spurs

When: 8:00 PM EST

Spread: Brooklyn Nets -5.5 (-110) @ DraftKings

The Brooklyn Nets and San Antonio Spurs face off in exciting inter-conference play! The Brooklyn Nets are second in the East with a 27-15 record and a 14-8 road record. The San Antonio Spurs have fallen to 14th in the Western Conference, with a 13-31 overall record, but a 10-10 home record.

Since losing Kevin Durant to injury, the Brooklyn Nets have lost back-to-back games. Their offense has struggled without him, as the Nets have averaged just 100.0 points on 44.0% from the field and 33.3% from three-point range. The Spurs are on a five-game losing streak, showcasing one of the league's most porous defenses. Over their last five, San Antonio are allowing their opponents 130.6 points per game on 52.0% from the field and 45.0% from the three-point range.

The Nets' recent struggles are certainly a concern, but it shouldn't be an issue against the San Antonio Spurs. While the Spurs are an energetic team in their own right, their defensive struggles should help a Nets team who are trying to find balance with Durant out.

Portland Trail Blazers @ Denver Nuggets

When: 9:00 PM EST

Spread: Denver Nuggets -7.0 (-110) @ bet365

While the Portland Trail Blazers have fallen into play-in position, the Denver Nuggets have maintained their firm hold at the top of the conference. The Trail Blazers have fallen to 10th in the Western Conference with a 21-22 record and a 10-14 road record. The Nuggets are first in the West with a 30-13 overall record and a 19-3 home record.

The Portland Trail Blazers enter this game in fine form, coming off of back-to-back wins over the Dallas Mavericks. The Trail Blazers averaged 138.0 points on 53.2% from the field and 40.0% from three over their two-game win streak, an example of their offensive potential. The Nuggets' six-game win streak has seen them perform excellently on the offensive end as well. Denver have averaged 120.8 points over their six-game win streak while shooting 51.6% from the field and 40.2% from three-point range.

Both the Trail Blazers and Nuggets are in impressive offensive form. When it comes down to it, the battle in the paint and on defense will decide this game. That pushes the match in favor of the Nuggets, who have been holding their opponents to 27.1% from three over their last six games.

Philadelphia 76ers @ LA Clippers

When: 10:00 PM EST

Spread: Philadelphia 76ers -1.0 (-110) @ FanDuel Sportsbook

It's an exciting matchup between two of the league's most capable defensive teams when the Philadelphia 76ers and the LA Clippers face off. After a difficult start, the Sixers have climbed to fourth in the Eastern Conference with a 27-16 overall record and a 10-9 road record. The LA Clippers find themselves sixth in the Eastern Conference, owning a 23-22 record and a 13-10 home record.

The Philadelphia 76ers have rattled off back-to-back narrow wins over the course of their recent road trip, with their perimeter defense making up for their lack of rebounding. Over their last two games, the Sixers have averaged 115.5 points on a plus-1.0 differential while allowing just nine threes per game on 30.0% efficiency. The Clippers have alternated wins and losses over the course of their last four games, as they've struggled to execute offensively. LA have averaged 111.3 points per game on 45.8% from the field while also outrebounding their opponent 48.0 to 39.3.

This projects to be a close game when these two teams face off. Don't expect a high-scoring affair, as it's likely to come down to individual execution. The edge goes to the Sixers not just because of their current run of form, but because their interior presence and perimeter threat should take advantage of the Clippers' defense.