PrizePicks' MLK Day picks feature an inter-conference showdown between the Thunder and Cavaliers, while the Knicks host the Mavericks and the Celtics visit the Pistons, three marquee matchups on the nine-game holiday slate.
Below, we'll dive into 3 NBA predictions on the Spread for the NBA's MLK Day games. You can predict NBA winners, spreads, and over/unders on PrizePicks Team Picks, now available in 30 states.
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3 NBA Predictions on Spread for NBA MLK Day Games
Here are the top NBA predictions and picks for MLK Day, January 19, a nine-game slate on PrizePicks Team Picks where you can predict NBA winners, spreads, and over/unders.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Here's our top Thunder vs. Cavaliers prediction for MLK Day, January 19.
Thunder vs. Cavaliers Spread, Over/Under, Time
- Time: 2:30 p.m. ET
- Spread: Thunder -6.5 (1.81x payout on PrizePicks Team Picks)
- Over/Under: 234.5 (1.88x payout on Over)
(Team Picks data is live at the time of writing and is subject to change)
Thunder vs. Cavaliers Prediction on Spread
- Oklahoma City holds the NBA's best record at 35-8, while Cleveland is coming off of back-to-back road wins in Philadelphia.
- The Thunder boast the league’s top defensive rating at 105.4, holding opponents to 108.0 points per game (PPG) on 43.2% shooting.
- Cleveland struggles against the spread with a 15-28 ATS mark this season, including a 0-1 record as home underdogs.
- OKC ranks first in net rating (+12.7) and has a stellar 15-5 road record, while the Cavaliers' home defense allows 39.0% from beyond the arc, the worst in the league at home.
- The Thunder force nearly 18 turnovers per game behind an elite perimeter defense led by G Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who averages 1.3 steals.
- Oklahoma City is 21-22 ATS this season but 4-6 ATS in its last 10 games.
Dallas Mavericks vs. New York Knicks Prediction, Pick
Here's our top Mavericks vs. Knicks prediction for MLK Day, January 19.
Mavericks vs. Knicks Spread, Over/Under, Time
- Time: 5:00 p.m. ET
- Spread: Knicks -9.5 (1.92x payout on PrizePicks Team Picks)
- Over/Under: 229.5 (1.92x payout on Over)
(Team Picks data is live at the time of writing and is subject to change)
Mavericks vs. Knicks Prediction on Spread
- New York (25-17) enters on a three-game losing streak.
- Knicks PG Jalen Brunson (ankle) has missed the last two games and is questionable for Monday.
- Dallas (17-26) rides a two‑game winning streak despite missing rookie SG Cooper Flagg (ankle), who leads all rookies with 18.8 PPG. He’s been upgraded to questionable for Monday.
- The Mavericks struggle on the road with a 5‑13 ATS record and a 4‑14 straight‑up mark, making them one of the league’s worst road teams.
- The Knicks have suffered offensively since January 1, ranking 21st in offensive efficiency and 23rd in 3-point shooting (34.7%), while PF-C Karl-Anthony Towns remains in a career-worst slump, averaging just 16.3 points over his last seven games.
- Dallas gives up an NBA‑worst 56.0 points in the paint, a weakness New York’s frontcourt can exploit if it finds any rhythm.
- The Knicks boast a 16-5 home record (14-7 ATS), and are 14-6 ATS when favored by 5.5 points or more.
Boston Celtics vs. Detroit Pistons Prediction, Pick
Here's our top Celtics vs. Pistons prediction for MLK Day, January 19.
Celtics vs. Pistons Spread, Over/Under, Time
- Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
- Spread: Pistons -3.5 (1.88x payout on PrizePicks Team Picks)
- Over/Under: 224.5 (1.78x payout on Over)
(Team Picks data is live at the time of writing and is subject to change)
Celtics vs. Knicks Prediction on Spread
- Detroit enters as the Eastern Conference's top seed at 30-10 with an elite 16-4 home record, while Boston sits 26-15, and 14-8 on the road after consecutive wins.
- The Celtics have been solid as road underdogs with a 5-3 ATS record, while Detroit is just 8-8 ATS as home favorites.
- Celtics SF Jaylen Brown erupted for 41 points on 14-of-30 shooting in Saturday's 132-106 win over Atlanta, marking his second 40+ point performance this month as he averages 30.1 PPG without G-F Jayson Tatum, who has been sidelined since rupturing his Achilles in last year’s playoff loss to the Knicks.
- Detroit PG Cade Cunningham averages 25.9 points and 9.6 assists per game, but has struggled in his last two outings, scoring just 26 combined points.
- Boston is 23‑18 against the spread (56.1%) with a +2.9 ATS margin and a +6.9 average margin of victory. Detroit sits at 22‑18 ATS (55.0%) with a +2.6 ATS margin and a +7.4 scoring margin.
- The Pistons are just 4-6 ATS in their last 10 games as home favorites.
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Make MLK Day NBA Picks on PrizePicks
Monday’s MLK slate is highlighted by the Thunder–Cavaliers matchup, plus marquee tilts at Madison Square Garden and in Detroit
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