The NBA enters week fifteen today and it starts with a loaded slate of action. There are twelve games today, two of which are nationally televised, the Phoenix Suns at the Miami Heat and the Philadelphia 76ers at the Portland Trail Blazers. Today’s bets focus on different matches, as there are several to choose from. 

One of the best matches features Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks playing against Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets. There is a double-unit straight bet coming from this match. Victor Wembanyama makes another return to Fantasy Alarm NBA Best Bets as the San Antonio Spurs host the Washington Wizards. There is also a battle for first in the Western Conference as the Minnesota Timberwolves play the Oklahoma City Thunder tonight, a prop bet will come from that match as well.

NBA Bet of the Night

Denver Nuggets Money Line (-166 at DraftKings 2 Units)

The Denver Nuggets host the Milwaukee Bucks in what could be an NBA Finals preview. Both of these teams are top contenders in their conferences and recently hoisted the Larry O’Brien trophy. The Bucks are in a state of change as Doc Rivers has joined as their new Head Coach, and defense will be something D. Rivers looks to correct. This is going to be a close game, projected with a four-point spread. The Bucks have a +4.3 point differential while the Nuggets have a +4.1. 

The Nuggets are 18-4 at Ball Arena this year and the Bucks are 11-9 on the road. They both have won seven of their last ten games and are coming off of a victory. So where is the advantage for the Nuggets? The backcourt. Jamal Murray and Damian Lillard are equal, but Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is a much better defender than Malik Beasley. Michael Porter Jr. and Khris Middleton are fantastic shooters, but Porter Jr. is having a better year. 

He is averaging over a point more per game, has a better three-point percentage, and is averaging almost three rebounds per game more than K. Middleton. The backcourt will be the advantage the Nuggets have tonight in addition to the high altitude. Look for a close game and the Nuggets to pull away in the fourth quarter. Place a wager of two units to gain a little over a unit in return.

NBA Prop Bets of the Night

Victor Wembanyama OVER 11.5 Rebounds (-125 at BetMGM)

Victor Wembanyama is really coming into his own as a productive rookie. The San Antonio Spurs have won two games in a row, and three of their last five. That isn’t much, but an improvement on the season. Wembanyama and the Spurs host the Washington Wizards who happen to be this column’s most bet against the team. They are still the worst rebounding team in the league, with 57.7 rebounds allowed per game average with 58.3 on the road. Wembanyama’s minutes have been increasing throughout the month of January and he is approaching thirty minutes per game. His rebounds have improved also, as he has double digits in seven games this month. 

The Wizards have a worse record than the Spurs, with only eight wins on the season. They give minimal effort at times, and although Daniel Gafford is playing better, he will have difficulty against the long arms of Wembanyama. Put a unit on the rookie to get twelve rebounds.

Rudy Gobert OVER 12.5 Rebounds (-138 at FanDuel)

Rudy Gobert has been a frequent mention in Fantasy Alarm NBA Best Bets lately. His under and over on rebounds have been utilized and profitable. Tonight the Minnesota Timberwolves play at the Paycom Center against the Oklahoma City Thunder. This is not the nationally televised game, but it is the two best teams in the Western Conference, with the exact same record, 32-14. It is a match with elite guard play, and two different styles of frontcourt. There is one consistent stat though, the Thunder allow other teams to dominate in rebounds. They allow the fifth most per game, 54.0, and surprisingly allow a higher average at home, 54.7. The Thunder allow the fourth most to opposing centers, and R. Gobert is averaging 12.4 rebounds per game. 

The Timberwolves are coming off of an embarrassing loss to the worst team in the Western Conference. Gobert had only seven rebounds in that game, and the Timberwolves will be looking to finish their four-game road trip with a win. Gobert will have to have a good game for that to happen, and the leading defensive player of the year candidate should outmuscle the smaller Chet Holmgren and Josh Giddy. Put a unit on the big man to grab thirteen rebounds, something he has done in six of his last eight games.