Shoot The Rock! January 13 NBA Edition – Latest Betting News and Tips

January 13 NBA Edition – Latest Betting News and Tips

This week, we will cover how Boston is doing better than expected. Additionally, although Charlotte might not be winning, they are a good bet. Plus, the Heat and Bulls are in a rugged scheduling situation and more.

Postponement Makes Life Hard on Heat and Bulls

Last week’s cancelled game between Miami and Chicago is going to make playing basketball a challenge for both teams at the end of the month. Because of the heavy rain in Chicago, with the resulting humidity, the contest was postponed due to excessive moisture on the court. The Heat and Bulls have a makeup date, which is a bad scenario for both squads.

Here is the Bulls’ schedule:

Jan. 28 @Indiana

Jan. 29 Miami

Jan. 31 @Miami

Feb. 1  @Miami

Here is the Heat’s schedule:

Jan. 28 Orlando

Jan. 29 @Chicago

Jan. 31 Chicago

Feb. 1  Chicago

That’s four games in five days for each squad. The NBA outlawed that happening years ago, but for unique circumstances, that can be overwritten.

Miami has it a little worse because they also play on Jan. 26, while Chicago plays on Jan. 25. Not unlike the playoffs, Game 3 should feature pushing and shoving, just like in playoff series, when the players are tired of facing each other. Additionally, the shooting legs should be gone, putting the Under in play.

How Boston is Winning Without Jayson Tatum

When Jayson Tatum went down in last year’s playoffs, most thought the Celtics would be a .500 team this season. That is not the case, as Boston is 24-15, which is third in the East. That is an impressive feat on its own merit, but the C’s also have the third-best point differential in the NBA at 6.5 per contest.

How is this possible? It starts with head coach Joseph Mazzulla, who is 4 ½ years younger than LeBron at 37.

What Mazzulla has accomplished to this point is brilliant. Boston is playing at the same pace and offensive efficiency as last year, minus Tatum. All he’s done is ask Jaylen Brown to up his game a bit and everyone a touch more, and play better defense. Obviously, that’s a simplistic explanation, nonetheless factual.

Boston at 21-18 ATS is not remarkable, yet, they are 15-8 ATS since Nov. 23, which includes 7-3 ATS when the spread is +6 to -6.

Charlotte Hornets Stinging Non-Believers

With rare exception, Charlotte is a misguided basketball franchise. The original owner moved them to New Orleans. When the NBA looked to avoid a lawsuit, it offered Charlotte another franchise. It was purchased by BET founder Robert Johnson, who changed the nickname to the Bobcats, with the Bob part a shortened version of Robert. People wondered why they didn’t win.

Once Johnson sold the team, it went back to the Hornets.

These Hornets are not very good at 14-26, but they are making money for backers with a 23-17 ATS mark. Charlotte is above .500 home and away, getting consistent efforts.

What stands out is generally better defense, though they have plenty of lapses. And, the Hornets’ ability to rebound has produced more one-and-done trips for the opposition and a few extra shot attempts when securing offensive boards.

Will it last? Who knows, but for now, the Hornets are showing positive results to backers.

Best NBA Teams to Bet Against (as of 1/13/26)

*Cleveland  13-28 ATS

*Sacramento 15-25 ATS

*Orlando 16-24 ATS

*Washington 15-23 ATS

*Dallas 16-23 ATS

Top NBA Games to Bet The Rest of the Week

Tuesday

NBC – San Antonio at Oklahoma City

NBC – Portland at Golden State

The Spurs have already beaten the Thunder three times this season. Can they make it a fourth? Opposing teams have taken elements learned from San Antonio.

Wednesday

ESPN – Cleveland at Philadelphia

ESPN – Denver at Dallas

The first of two this week between these Eastern partners. The Cavs have struggled covering all season, while the 76ers are a bad home wager. With the Nuggets and Mavs missing top-notch players, is the UNDER worth a look, or will the sportsbooks make it too low?

Thursday

PRIME – Memphis at Orlando

PRIME – Oklahoma City at Houston

PRIME – New York vs Golden State

Ja Morant is being shopped, and the interest is not high for a small guard that is injury-prone, who’s lost quickness, and is shooting career-low numbers. A tough spot for OKC after the Spurs matchup. The Rockets have gotten off course in losing four of five.

Friday

ESPN – Cleveland at Philadelphia

ESPN – Houston at Minnesota

A nasty back-to-back for Houston. The Wednesday loser of the Cavs/Sixers might be worth a look.

Saturday

NBA -TV – Phoenix at New York

An excellent matchup with the Suns, a covering machine this season, and the Knicks are rough to handle at MSG.

Get more NBA betting advice from Doug Upstone here and purchase Doug’s Premium picks here.