NBA Betting Picks for Wednesday 1/10/24: Will the 76ers-Hawks Soar to the Over?

The 82-game NBA regular season offers us a wide variety of betting options, including point spreads, moneylines, and totals. The Association features 1,230 regular season games, which can make sifting through the odds an overwhelming task.

However, various advanced statistics can help narrow the choices. numberFire's NBA power rankings and daily projections paired with advanced stats from the NBA can help give the inside track to winning big.

While utilizing some of the mentioned tools, which NBA odds from FanDuel Sportsbook look like the best bets today?

Please note lines are subject to change throughout the day after this article is published.

NBA Best Bets

Minnesota Timberwolves at Boston Celtics

Timberwolves +9 (-110)

Perhaps the top matchup for tonight's slate features the sides with the best record in each conference colliding -- with the 26-10 Minnesota Timberwolves visiting the 28-8 Boston Celtics. Despite holding the NBA's second-best record, the Timberwolves are 9.0-point 'dogs -- it's their largest underdog role of the season. This is an unusual spot for Minnesota as they have been favored in seven consecutive games.

Boston has been a beast at home with a league-best 17-0 home record while going 11-6 against the spread (ATS) in TD Garden. Still, this point spread seems a bit high.

The T-Wolves come off a 21-point win last night on the road against the Orlando Magic -- who hold the No. 8 spot in the East. Minnesota's elite defense -- which leads the league in defensive rating -- was on full show in Orlando, giving up only 92 points while the Magic shot only 36.2% from the field. The Celtics' offense (second in rating) certainly features a long list of challenges, but the Timberwolves' defense could be up to the task.

Boston leads the Association in three-point makes and three-point attempts per contest and holds the fourth-best effective field goal percentage (eFG%) and the third-best two-point percentage. Meanwhile, Minnesota gives up the fifth-fewest three-point shots per game and allows the lowest eFG% and two-point percentage in the NBA. They also have solid wing defenders in Anthony Edwards (108.3 defensive rating) and Jaden McDaniels (112.9 defensive rating), a duo that can help slow the Celtics' leading scorers in Jayson Tatum (27.5 PPG) and Jaylen Brown (23.2 PPG).

Keep an eye on the injury report, as well. Boston could be without two starters as Jrue Holiday (elbow) and Kristaps Porzingis (knee) are listed as questionable. Al Horford, who would likely fill in for Porzingis, is also questionable with illness.

This only further supports the Timberwolves covering the spread. The frontcourt duo of Karl-Anthony Towns (21.7 PPG) and Rudy Gobert (12.8 PPG) could be poised for big games as the Celtics may wind up lacking size around the rim due to injuries.

While Boston touts the second-best defensive rating, they surrender the third-most three-point shots per game, and the Wolves have the fourth-best three-point percentage in the league. Edwards (26.2 PPG) has seen his three-point shooting improve over his last five games, converting 44.8% of his looks from deep in that time. Minnesota's star player hitting threes could be something to keep in mind for FanDuel's 25% Profit Boost on an NBA live bet for tonight's games.

Competing with the Celtics in TD Garden has been a near-impossible task for most teams this season, but the T-Wolves deserve more respect. Give me Minnesota to cover on the road.

Oklahoma City Thunder at Miami Heat

Heat +4.5 (-114)

Following a 2-3 stretch on a five-game road trip, the Miami Heat are surely glad to be home and are fresh off a 120-113 win and cover against the Houston Rockets in South Beach. Miami has now won three consecutive home games while going 3-0 ATS in that run. Will the hot streak continue on Tuesday with the Oklahoma City Thunder paying a visit?

The Heat are still without Jimmy Butler (25.9% usage rate), and Kyle Lowry is doubtful with a hand sprain. Miami could be missing two starters and may still be in line for a cover. This is thanks to several players stepping up -- including rookie Jaime Jaquez Jr. (13.7 PPG) and second-year forward Nikola Jovic (5.8 PPG).

Jaquez has been a reliable scorer with 15.5 PPG over his previous 17 contests. While Jovic has not done much in the scoring column (6.8 PPG in the last four), he's been excellent on defense with a 107.4 defensive rating, which has boosted his minutes to 24.3 per game over the last three contests. Jovic could be particularly useful against the Thunder as he will likely be tasked with guarding OKC's second-leading scorer, Jalen Williams (18.2 PPG).

On the other side of the ball, the Thunder have the seventh-best defensive rating, but they struggle to slow three-point attacks, allowing the second-most three-point attempts per game. This could be a recipe for disaster against the league's third-most efficient team from beyond the arc (38.5%).

OKC is also 0-3 ATS on their current road trip, and each game was against a team with a losing record in the East -- the Washington Wizards, Atlanta Hawks, and Brooklyn Nets. The Heat are by far OKC's toughest test yet during this trip.

I like Miami's chances of covering due to their recent hot streak and three-point shooting.

Philadelphia 76ers at Atlanta Hawks

Over 245.0 (-110)

The NBA can be quite fickle, especially in the regular season. But if there's one thing you can rely on, almost any game involving the Atlanta Hawks will likely feature a large total. That is the case once again on Tuesday, with Atlanta's matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers carrying a total of 245.0 points.

The 76ers have the fifth-best offensive rating in the NBA while the Hawks have the fourth-worst defensive rating. However, Philadelphia will be without MVP contender Joel Embiid (34.6 PPG) due to a knee injury. In eight games without Embiid, the Sixers are averaging only 111.1 PPG, compared to their season average of 119.5 PPG.

Fortunately, Atlanta's defense has been dreadful, which should help Philly's offense succeed. First off, Tyrese Maxey's role will likely increase as his season-long 27.5% usage rate jumps to 33.2% with Embiid out of the lineup. The Hawks' backcourt duo of Trae Young (122.0 defensive rating) and Dejounte Murray (121.4 defensive rating) have struggled on D. Maxey also attempts the most threes per game on Philly (8.2), and Atlanta gives up sixth-most three-point makes per contest.

Philly averages the ninth-most points in the paint per game, and the Hawks give up the fourth-most points in the paint per game and the second-highest mark in opponent two-point percentage. This plays right into Tobias Harris' hands as 73.2% of his field goal attempts are two-point looks.

As usual, Atlanta has relied on their high-scoring offense, which averages the third-best most PPG and has the sixth-best offensive rating. Their three-point barrage (sixth-most attempts per game) could slow down against the 76ers, who give up the fourth-fewest three-point tries per contest. However, Philadelphia's defense has been very vulnerable without Embiid in the lineup.

The Sixers' paint defense has already been weak this season, allowing the 11th-most points per game. Opponents are averaging 67.3 points in the paint per game in the last three games without Embiid in the lineup. This is far worse than the Sixers' season average of 51.9 PPG, and the worst mark in the NBA is 61.4 PPG -- held by the Indiana Pacers.

This three-game stretch also included two weak paint attacks as the Chicago Bulls and Houston Rockets rank among the bottom nine in paint points scored per game. Philly's defense has simply not been the same without Embiid. This a prime opportunity for Atlanta to feast in the paint.

With the 76ers' defense vulnerable and the Hawks' defense just not good overall, the over looks like a promising pick.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.