Maybe you haven’t been paying attention because they play in the “cow town” of Sacramento, but the Kings are running away with the supposedly loaded Pacific Division and set to end the NBA’s longest playoff drought. Perhaps we find out good this team is on Monday against the visiting Memphis Grizzlies. Here’s a look at two other intriguing early-week matchups. Check back for NBA odds.

Top NBA Betting Picks of the Week (January 23rd, 2023)

NBA Power Rankings: Celtics reclaim top spot over Nuggets; 76ers, Kings enter top five; Hawks taking flight
(By @ColinCBSSports)https://t.co/hHGuN9DK0C

— CBS Sports NBA (@CBSSportsNBA) January 23, 2023

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Detroit Pistons

• When: Monday, January 23, 2023, 7:00 PM ET
• Where: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, MI
• TV: BSDET, BSWI
• Radio: KMVP-FM 98.7 FM (Bucks) // 590 The Fan (Pistons)
• Live Stream: NBA League Pass
• NBA Betting Odds: Bucks (-11) // Detroit (+11)

The big news here is that the Bucks will see the return of All-Stars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton. Antetokounmpo’s five-game absence with knee soreness is his longest since December 2021, when he also sat out five games in a row while in COVID health and safety protocols. When healthy, he’s played like an MVP again. Giannis, a two-time MVP, has been averaging a career-most 31 PPG on .524/.245/.653 shooting splits, 11.9 RPG, 5.3 APG, 0.9 BPG and 0.8 SPG through his 35 healthy games.

In addition to averaging 30+ points and 10+ rebounds a game this season, Antetokounmpo is also averaging 5+ assists and shooting better than 50% from the field. In NBA history, a player has averaged 30+ points, 10+ rebounds and 5+ assists while shooting 50% from the field only three other times – and not since the 1972-73 season.

Middleton has missed 18 games while dealing with a sore knee and hasn’t played since Dec. 15. He had also missed the Bucks’ first 20 games of the season with a wrist injury. In his seven games, he has averaged 11.1 PPG on .325/.268/.895 shooting splits, plus 4.4 APG and 2.6 RPG, way below 2021-22 season averages of 20.1 PPG, 5.4 APG and 5.4 RPG.

If they both suit up along with Jrue Holiday, it would be just the fifth time that the Bucks’ Big 3 have played together this season. In his last five games, Holiday is shooting 55.2% from the field and is averaging 27.2 points and 9.8 assists per game, including four double-doubles. Bucks forward Bobby Portis Jr. is a Sixth Man of the Year candidate. He currently ranks fourth in the NBA with 28 double-doubles despite averaging fewer than 27 minutes per game.

Detroit has been off since last Thursday because it played in Paris and was routed by the Chicago Bulls. The Pistons will be down one starter for sure in center Isaiah Stewart with left shoulder soreness. Stewart’s absence will likely clear the way for Jalen Duren to re-enter the starting five at center. Point guard Killian Hayes is questionable. Hayes has played 30-plus minutes in seven of his last eight appearances, and he’s averaged 13.3 points, 8.0 assists, 2.3 rebounds and 2.3 steals in 32.5 minutes per game during that time.

The Bucks are 2-0 vs. the Pistons this season and also have won seven straight games in Detroit going back to the 2018-19 season. Milwaukee is 15-1 overall against the Pistons since that time, its best record against any single opponent in the Mike Budenholzer era.

NBA Betting Pick: Bucks

Los Angeles Clippers vs. Los Angeles Lakers

• When: Tuesday, January 24, 2023, 10:00 PM ET
• Where: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
• TV: TNT
• Radio: KLAC 570 (Clippers) // 710 ESPNLA (Lakers)
• Live Stream: NBA League Pass
• NBA Betting Odds: TBA

The battle of Los Angeles could see the return of Lakers All-Star big man Anthony Davis – although it’s more likely to be later this week. He hasn’t played since Dec. 16 due to a stress injury in his right foot but Lakers coach Darvin Ham told reporters Sunday that star big man Davis “looked phenomenal” in a full contact scrimmage on Saturday as he progresses in his recovery.

When healthy, Davis is one of the best players in the NBA. He’s averaging 27.4 points, 12.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.3 steals and 2.1 blocks while shooting 59.4 percent from the floor and 29 percent from deep. The Lakers remain a bit thin in the frontcourt with both Austin Reaves (left hamstring strain) and Lonnie Walker IV (left knee tendinitis) out.

The Lakers have won seven games this season after trailing by 10 or more points, highlighted by a season-best 15-point comeback on Dec. 30 to defeat the Atlanta Hawks, 130-121. They only have won two games this season in which they were trailing through three quarters, though, coming against Memphis and Washington.

The Clippers enter on a two-game winning streak after a 112-98 victory in Dallas on Sunday. Kawhi Leonard played 38 minutes and finished with 30 points and nine rebounds. Leonard scored 25 points or more in four straight appearances, his longest season streak. Paul George had 21 points, six rebounds and four assists on Sunday.

Leonard and George played together for just the 18th time this season in Sunday’s win over the Mavericks. “When our two main guys are playing, we’re a different team,” coach Tyronn Lue told reporters. “I like where we’re at, I like our spirit and when this team is healthy, we’re a tough team to handle.”

The Clips remain without two key reserves in John Wall and Luke Kennard. Wall won’t play Tuesday but Kennard has an outside shot. Sunday marked his eighth straight absence with a right calf injury. The Clippers currently rank fifth in the NBA in opponent points per game (110.8), tied for seventh in opponent FG% (46.6) and 10th in defensive rating (112.1).

These teams have met twice this season, both Clippers wins early in the season. The two teams have met 233 times overall and on 167 occasions since the Clippers moved to Los Angeles. The Lakers lead the all-time series 150-83. The Lakers are 23-21 all-time against the Clippers in home games at Crypto.com Arena and this is a Lakers home game.

NBA Betting Pick: Clippers

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This is just one of the many sports betting guides that you can read here at Nitrobetting news. Stay tuned for more 2022-23 NBA season previews and articles and don’t forget to check out the latest basketball betting odds on our online BTC sportsbook.

READ MORE: Top NBA Betting Picks of the Week – January 30th, 2023