Will Wemby go off on MLK Day? Best bets for packed slate
Martin Luther King Jr. Day is one of the best events on the NBA's regular-season calendar. There's an array of appetizers, entrees, and side dishes to fulfill your NBA cravings throughout the day.
Blowouts and stars resting have plagued the NBA since the turn of the New Year. It's hard to blame casual fans who lose interest in January as it seems much of the league also does as the trade deadline and All-Star break approach.
Hopefully, Monday's holiday will provide some exciting basketball. Here are our best bets for the day.
Spurs @ Hawks (-7.5, O/U 246.5)
Start time: 3:30 p.m. ET
The Spurs and Hawks employ two of the NBA's seven worst defenses, which has led to each team surpassing its game totals nearly 60% of the time.
The Hawks have a top-10 offense. While the Spurs' offense isn't close to top-tier, they've put up massive point totals against poor defensive teams, including scoring over 130 points twice in the last week against the Pistons and Hornets.
Both teams play fast, ranking in the top five in pace. This won't be pretty between two struggling teams, but each squad's style of play should lead to a high-scoring game.
Pick: Over 246.5
Pelicans @ Mavericks (+4, O/U 235)
Start time: 2:30 p.m. ET
The Pelicans have been one of the NBA's hottest teams, winning seven of their last nine games and catapulting up the Western Conference standings to the fifth seed.
New Orleans has a 13.7 net rating over that stretch, second in the league behind the Thunder. The Pelicans played in Dallas on Saturday, where they won by 10 without their three leading scorers Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, and CJ McCollum. Luka Doncic was also out for the Mavericks, so it was a largely irrelevant and lackluster game.
Williamson, Ingram, and McCollum are all returning for Tuesday night's rematch, but Doncic remains doubtful with an ankle injury.
After Kyrie Irving returned from an injury that knocked him out for three weeks in December, he reminded everyone he's still one of the league's best guards. Irving's averaging 30 points in January and dropped 44 and 33 the last two games without Doncic.
Irving's carrying the Mavs, but he won't have enough help - Derrick Jones Jr. is also doubtful - against a dangerous, healthy Pelicans squad.
Pick: Pelicans -4
Draymond Green: Under 8.5 points
Start time: 6 p.m. ET
Green returned to the Warriors' facility last week after serving a 12-game suspension. On Monday, he'll play in his first game since Dec. 12.
The Warriors have desperately missed him, earning a .500 record (8-8) over that stretch. His presence is most missed on defense; Golden State has been the league's second-worst defensive team over the last 15 contests.
Green, however, will likely be on a minutes restriction against the Grizzlies as he ramps up his conditioning and workload. Green averaged 9.7 points in 25 minutes through 15 games this season.
Although he rarely shoots - Green averages under seven shot attempts per game - he's shooting 42% from three, by far the best mark of his career. Expect him to play around 20 minutes and defer offensively in his return.
Odds: -130
Victor Wembanyama: Over 20.5 points
Start time: 3:30 p.m. ET
After a brief rough stretch in December, Wembanyama has looked like the generational prospect he's been touted as. He's scored at least 20 points in five of the last six games.
As previously noted, the Hawks have a porous defense, and the contest will feature many points. Atlanta's particularly bad at stopping centers, allowing the sixth-most points per game to the position.
The only potential issue with taking Wembanyama's props is his minutes reduction this month. He's averaging 23.6 minutes per game in January - which makes his 22.6 points average even more impressive - after averaging 28.6 minutes in December.
However, Wembanyama hasn't played in three days, and Monday's game is a 3:30 p.m. tip on national television, so expect the Spurs to give Wembanyama extended minutes.
Odds: -105 (playable to -125)
Jabari Smith Jr: Over 22.5 points and rebounds
Start time: 1 p.m. ET
Smith is enjoying a productive sophomore season for the ascending Rockets, averaging 13.5 points and 8.8 rebounds per game.
He's taken on a larger workload since Dillon Brooks and Tari Eason went down with injuries. He's averaging 35 minutes per game in January, a five-minute increase from December.
He's producing with more responsibility as both a scorer and rebounder, averaging 22.4 combined points and rebounds through eight January contests. The 76ers are solid defensively but allow the fourth-most rebounds per game to power forwards. Even with Joel Embiid back in the lineup for the Sixers, who are 7.5-point favorites, Smith should stuff his stats.
Odds: -125 (playable to -135)
Sam Oshtry is a sports betting writer at theScore. You can follow him on X @soshtry for more betting coverage.