Two Days Left – Let’s Close January Strong:
With just two betting days left in January, the mission is clear: finish strong, finish with wins. We’ve battled through the ups and downs this month, and now it’s time to make these final plays count.
Today’s Slate – Packed with Action:
College Basketball (NCAAB):
Key conference matchups that provide plenty of value to target.
NBA:
A solid lineup of games tonight offering prime betting opportunities.
NHL:
Select plays on the ice to round out the day’s action.
Final Thought – Let’s Finish What We Started:
We’ve made it through a challenging month, and now it’s time to execute with precision and confidence. With today’s packed slate, we have everything we need to push forward and end January on a high note.
Let’s crush it—two days left, let’s make them count!
NCAAB: Towson at Delaware
Pick: Towson ML / Wager: 4%
Betting Indicators Supporting This Pick:
Towson's Dominance in Recent Matchups:
The Tigers have won 2 of their last 3 games at Delaware, holding the Blue Hens to just 56 points in last season's meeting at Newark.
Towson has been strong in conference play, riding a five-game winning streak in the CAA, with their only loss coming against a top-tier Charleston team.
Delaware's Recent Struggles:
Delaware is 1-4 ATS in their last five games and has been outperformed by stronger opponents in key areas like rebounding and efficiency.
The Hens are ranked 9th in conference scoring margin (-0.6) and 13th in rebounding margin (-5.6), whereas Towson ranks 3rd in both categories.
Rivalry and Motivation:
Delaware is 3-0 at home in the CAA this season, making this a high-stakes rivalry game. However, Towson’s deeper roster and improving three-point shooting give them an edge in this contest.
The Tigers are the more consistent and balanced team, excelling on both ends of the court and showing better form than Delaware.
Expert Call:
Towson’s recent success in both head-to-head matchups and conference play, along with Delaware’s defensive and rebounding issues, make Towson ML a confident play here.
Projection:
Final Score: Towson 68, Delaware 61
Analysis Summary: Towson’s rebounding advantage and defensive efficiency should allow them to control the tempo and secure a hard-fought road win in this rivalry matchup.
NCAAB: UNC Wilmington (UNCW) at North Carolina A&T
Pick: UNCW -11 / Wager: 4%
Betting Indicators Supporting This Pick:
UNCW’s Dominance and Consistency:
The Seahawks have won 13 games since Thanksgiving, with all but one victory coming by comfortable margins.
UNCW has the best scoring margin in the CAA (+6.5) and has covered in 5 of their last 6 games, frequently winning by 9+ points.
NC A&T’s Defensive Struggles:
The Aggies are 0-8 in CAA play and have lost 6 of those games by 8 or more points.
They are allowing 80 points per game in conference matchups, the worst defense in the CAA.
NC A&T’s overall scoring margin is -9.1, placing them at the bottom of the league rankings.
Momentum and Motivation:
UNCW has a chance to further solidify their place at the top of the conference and should be highly motivated to handle business against a struggling NC A&T team.
The Aggies are mired in a deep losing streak, and unless they can significantly tighten up defensively, they could face a 20+ point loss if UNCW executes their game plan effectively.
Expert Call:
UNCW has been dominating conference opponents and facing a defensively vulnerable NC A&T squad gives them a significant edge. The line opening at -11 provides strong value for a team that’s routinely winning by double digits.
Projection:
Final Score: UNC Wilmington 82, North Carolina A&T 64
Analysis Summary: UNCW's balanced attack and defensive stability should overwhelm NC A&T, leading to a decisive win and cover.
NCAAB: South Dakota State at North Dakota State
Pick: Over 153.5 / Wager: 4%
Betting Indicators Supporting This Pick:
High-Scoring Trends:
South Dakota State (SDSU) has cleared 153.5 points in five of seven Summit League games, with their under results explained by slower-paced teams like Kansas City and inflated totals like the 172.5 against South Dakota last week.
North Dakota State (NDSU) has only scored fewer than 85 points in Summit play when facing slower teams like Kansas City and Denver.
Offensive Matchups and Key Players:
SDSU's 6-11 center Oscar Cluff (17.4 ppg) is a matchup nightmare, capable of dominating both inside and from mid-range.
NDSU guard Jacari White is averaging 26 points per game over the past two contests, providing a spark for the Bison’s offense.
Both teams play an up-tempo style that lends itself to high-scoring contests, especially in rivalry games.
Head-to-Head Context:
The "Battle of the Dakotas" typically involves fierce competition and fast-paced play, often favoring offenses.
The Summit League is known for its high-scoring affairs, and both teams are fully capable of pushing this game beyond the total.
Expert Call:
Both teams have shown a strong offensive rhythm in Summit play, and their tendency to thrive in faster-paced environments makes this total very achievable. Given the rivalry and scoring potential on both sides, the over holds significant value.
Projection:
Final Score: South Dakota State 85, North Dakota State 81
Analysis Summary: Expect a back-and-forth shootout, with both offenses capitalizing on transition opportunities and interior mismatches. The over should hit comfortably barring an outlier performance.
NCAAB: SIU Edwardsville (SIUE) at Lindenwood
Pick: SIUE ML / Wager: 4%
Betting Indicators Supporting This Pick:
Team Form and Recent Success:
SIUE has won seven of their last eight games, making a strong push in the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC).
Among those victories was a 58-47 win against Lindenwood earlier this month, despite the Cougars struggling offensively.
Lindenwood's Offensive Struggles:
The Lions managed to shoot just 32.1% from the floor and 29% from beyond the arc in the first meeting, indicative of season-long issues with scoring efficiency.
Lindenwood is near the bottom of the OVC in key offensive metrics, limiting their ability to capitalize on opponents' cold stretches.
Key Player Edge:
SIUE's Ray'Sean Taylor (18.9 ppg), a seasoned four-year starter, continues to lead the team with consistency. He scored a game-high 20 points in their previous meeting despite battling illness.
Taylor’s presence and leadership give the Cougars a critical advantage in tight conference matchups.
Head-to-Head Trends:
SIUE’s defense frustrated Lindenwood in the first encounter, holding them under 50 points and forcing poor shot selection throughout the game.
The Cougars have consistently outperformed the Lions across key areas like field goal percentage and turnovers.
Expert Call:
SIUE’s balance of experience, defense, and scoring reliability, particularly through Ray'Sean Taylor, gives them a strong edge over a struggling Lindenwood team. Expect the Cougars to control the game tempo and secure another victory.
Projection:
Final Score: SIUE 67, Lindenwood 58
Analysis Summary: SIUE's superior defense and leadership on the court should limit Lindenwood’s chances of an upset. The Cougars remain a solid play to win outright.
NBA: Los Angeles Lakers at Washington Wizards
Pick: Jaxson Hayes over 7.5 rebounds @ +105 / Wager: 3%
Pick: Kyle Kuzma over 7.5 rebounds @ +125 / Wager: 2%
Pick: Wizards ML @ +300 / Wager: 2%
Betting Indicators Supporting These Picks:
Jaxson Hayes Rebounding Opportunity:
With Anthony Davis sidelined, Hayes should start and see significant minutes. In his two starts without Davis, Hayes recorded 9 and 10 rebounds while playing more than 20 minutes.
The Wizards allow the second-most rebounds per game to opposing centers, giving Hayes a favorable matchup.
Kyle Kuzma's Consistency on the Boards:
Kuzma has averaged 10.2 rebounds across six meetings with the Lakers and has grabbed seven or more rebounds in each game.
Without Marvin Bagley and with potential uncertainty around Alex Sarr (ankle), Kuzma should continue to get opportunities in a depleted Wizards frontcourt.
Kuzma has averaged 8.3 rebounds over his last six games, clearing this line regularly.
Wizards' Value as a Home Dog:
The Lakers are without Anthony Davis and may also be managing LeBron James' minutes on the second leg of a back-to-back.
Washington is on a lengthy losing streak but may have been overlooking their recent blowout loss to Toronto while anticipating this matchup.
Kuzma and the Wizards' young players tend to get up for high-profile games, especially with LeBron in town.
Expert Call:
With significant absences on both sides, this game has strong potential for player props, particularly in rebounds. The Wizards' value on the moneyline (+300) is appealing in a likely trap game for the Lakers.
Projection:
Final Score: Lakers 116, Wizards 112
Analysis Summary: Jaxson Hayes and Kyle Kuzma should be productive on the boards, while the Wizards have enough motivation and matchup advantages to challenge for the upset.
NBA: Atlanta Hawks at Cleveland Cavaliers
Pick: DeAndre Hunter over 17.5 Points / Wager: 3%
Betting Indicators Supporting This Pick:
Increased Role Without Jalen Johnson:
With Jalen Johnson (shoulder) sidelined for the remainder of the season, DeAndre Hunter is expected to see an uptick in offensive opportunities.
In eight games this season without Johnson, Hunter has averaged 20.2 points, easily clearing this line.
Strong Performance Against the Cavaliers:
Hunter has thrived against Cleveland this season, scoring 23+ points in both previous meetings.
The Cavaliers' defense, while strong in the interior, has been more vulnerable on the wings, where Hunter excels as a spot-up shooter and mid-range scorer.
Shot Volume and Usage Increase:
With Johnson out, Hunter should be one of the primary scoring options. His shot attempts have increased to 14.6 per game in Johnson's absence.
The Hawks have also leaned on Hunter to play heavier minutes, which further enhances his scoring opportunities.
Expert Call:
Hunter is in a favorable position to capitalize on additional shot attempts and minutes. Given his recent performance without Johnson and his success against Cleveland, the over 17.5 points looks strong.
Projection:
Hunter's Expected Points: 21
Game Context: With a higher offensive load, Hunter should continue to be a reliable scoring option, particularly in a matchup where he has already excelled.
NBA: Houston Rockets at Memphis Grizzlies
Pick: Grizzlies ML / Wager: 3%
Betting Indicators Supporting This Pick:
Houston's Brutal Road Schedule:
The Rockets are playing their fourth road game in less than a week, having already defeated Cleveland twice, Boston, and Atlanta on this trip.
It’s difficult to maintain form and energy through such a demanding schedule, especially against a rested opponent like Memphis.
Fatigue Factor:
The cumulative effect of travel and competitive games is likely to catch up to Houston. Teams rarely maintain peak performance through extended road trips with high-level opponents.
Home-Court Advantage for Memphis:
Memphis has been solid at home, where their defense tends to tighten up. They’re motivated to keep pace in the standings and take advantage of a potentially fatigued Rockets team.
Inconsistent Road Performances:
Despite their recent wins, the Rockets have shown inconsistency on the road throughout the season. This is a prime spot for a letdown after multiple emotional victories.
Expert Call:
The Grizzlies ML offers value here due to the extreme road schedule Houston has endured. Fatigue is likely to impact the Rockets' ability to play a full 48 minutes of high-level basketball.
Projection:
Grizzlies Win Probability: 68%
Final Score Prediction: Memphis 115, Houston 108
NHL: San Jose Sharks at Seattle Kraken
Pick: Under 6.5 / Wager: 2%
Betting Indicators Supporting This Pick:
Strong Goaltending for Seattle:
Kraken's Joey Daccord has been stellar this month with a 2.28 GAA and is expected to start. He was rested Tuesday and should be fresh for this game unless an illness hits—something impacting several teams lately.
San Jose's Offensive Struggles:
The Sharks remain second-to-last in the NHL in scoring, averaging just 2.4 goals per game. While their offense has slightly improved, injuries and illness are concerns, particularly with Mikael Granlund (leading scorer, 44 points) possibly sidelined.
Injury and Illness Impact:
San Jose is already missing multiple forwards due to injury, limiting their offensive firepower. Granlund's potential absence further hinders their attack.
Historical Trends:
Kraken games with Daccord in net have trended lower in total goals, and if the Sharks struggle to score more than two, Seattle's own defense and slower tempo can keep the total under.
Expert Call:
Given the matchup and possible absences for San Jose, this is a solid spot to back the under 6.5 goals. Seattle's defense and Daccord's form should hold the Sharks in check.
Projection:
Final Score Prediction: Seattle 4, San Jose 2
Total Goals Projection: 6 goals
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