Tuesday night brings a packed NBA schedule with playoff contenders, struggling teams, and a few revenge spots mixed in. From Madison Square Garden to Salt Lake City, every game has a storyline shaped by injuries, home form, and recent results. Some games look one-sided on paper, while others could swing late based on who controls the pace. (Odds via CBS Sports)
Portland Trail Blazers vs Washington Wizards
Game details
- Date: Tuesday, Jan. 27
- Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
- Venue: Capital One Arena, Washington
- Odds: Portland -7.5
Washington enters this game badly shorthanded. Bilal Coulibaly, Marvin Bagley, Trae Young, and Cam Whitmore are all out. Khris Middleton is questionable. Portland is also missing several rotation players, but Deni Avdija has carried them this season with 26 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 6.9 assists per game. Portland is coming off a loss to Toronto, while Washington continues to struggle on both ends. Road form has hurt the Blazers, but Washington’s thin lineup makes this matchup difficult. Avdija is expected to play and faces his former team. That gives Portland a scoring edge.
Predicted winner: Portland Trail Blazers
Sacramento Kings vs New York Knicks
Game details
- Date: Tuesday, Jan. 27
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- Venue: Madison Square Garden, New York
- Odds: New York -13.5
Sacramento is 3-19 on the road and has lost nine straight away games. New York is 17-6 at home and ranks among the league’s top scoring teams at 117.8 points per game. Karl-Anthony Towns is averaging 20.5 points and 11.4 rebounds. Jalen Brunson is scoring 18.1 points over the last 10 games. The Kings are without Keegan Murray and Zach LaVine, which weakens their scoring depth. Sacramento did beat New York earlier this month, but this rematch comes in New York. Home court and healthier roster favor the Knicks.
Predicted winner: New York Knicks
New Orleans Pelicans vs Oklahoma City Thunder
Game details
- Date: Tuesday, Jan. 27
- Time: Tuesday, Jan. 27, 8:00 p.m. ET
- Venue: Paycom Center, Oklahoma City
- Odds: Oklahoma City -14.5
Oklahoma City owns the best record in the West at 37-10. The Thunder are 28-6 against conference opponents and allow only 107.9 points per game. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 30.9 points over his last 10 games. Chet Holmgren is shooting 57.1 percent from the field. New Orleans sits at 12-36 and is 6-25 in Western Conference play. Dejounte Murray is out. Zion Williamson has played well recently, but the Pelicans still give up 116.7 points per game. Oklahoma City already beat them 126-109 earlier this season. The gap in defense and consistency is large.
Predicted winner: Oklahoma City Thunder
Milwaukee Bucks vs Philadelphia 76ers
Game details
- Date: Tuesday, Jan. 27
- Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
- Venue: Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia
- Odds: Milwaukee +10.0
Philadelphia will likely be without Joel Embiid and Paul George again. Tyrese Maxey has carried the offense with 30.1 points and 6.8 assists per game. Rookie V.J. Edgecombe is adding 15.6 points per night. Milwaukee enters as an underdog but has more size and rebounding. Andre Drummond anchors the 76ers inside, yet the Bucks still have Giannis Antetokounmpo and strong transition scoring. The Bucks can exploit the short-handed frontcourt. This matchup should be closer than the line suggests.
Predicted winner: Milwaukee Bucks
Brooklyn Nets vs Phoenix Suns
Game details
- Date: Tuesday, Jan. 27
- Time: 9:00 p.m. ET
- Venue: Mortgage Matchup Center, Phoenix
- Odds: Phoenix -8.5
Brooklyn has lost nine of its last 10 games and scores only 103.3 points per game in that span. Phoenix is 14-6 at home and just beat Brooklyn 126-117 last week. Devin Booker and Jalen Green are out, but the Suns still rebound well and average 13 offensive boards per game. Collin Gillespie leads them with 13.4 points and 4.7 assists. The Nets allow nearly 119 points per game over their last 10 outings. Phoenix’s rebounding edge and home form stand out.
Predicted winner: Phoenix Suns
Detroit Pistons vs Denver Nuggets
Game details
- Date: Tuesday, Jan. 27
- Time: 9:00 p.m. ET
- Venue: Ball Arena, Denver
- Odds: Detroit -6.5
Detroit leads the Eastern Conference at 33-11 and is 14-6 on the road. Cade Cunningham is averaging 25.4 points and 9.7 assists. Denver faces major injury trouble. Nikola Jokic, Aaron Gordon, and Christian Braun are all out. Jamal Murray is day to day. The Nuggets still score 120.7 points per game, but their defense gives up 116.2. Detroit allows only 110.1 points per game and ranks high in fast-break scoring. With Denver missing stars, Detroit has the matchup advantage.
Predicted winner: Detroit Pistons
Los Angeles Clippers vs Utah Jazz
Game details
- Date: Tuesday, Jan. 27
- Time: 10:00 p.m. ET
- Venue: Delta Center, Utah
- Odds: Utah +8.5
The Clippers are 8-2 over their last 10 games and recently crushed Brooklyn 126-89. James Harden averages 25.6 points and 8.1 assists. Kawhi Leonard adds 19.7 points over the last 10 games and leads the league in steals. Utah is 3-7 in its last 10 and allows 130.4 points per game in that span. Lauri Markkanen is day to day, while Walker Kessler is out for the season. Utah moves the ball well, but its defense has struggled badly.
Predicted winner: Los Angeles Clippers
Final note
January 27 sets up as a night where depth and health matter more than hype. New York and Oklahoma City should use their home strength to stay in control, while Detroit looks ready to take advantage of Denver’s missing stars. Phoenix and the Clippers also enter with momentum that matches their odds. Portland and Milwaukee stand out as underdog picks based on matchups and available scorers.
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