NBA Rivals Betting Analysis & Early Picks for the Top Matches

For the first time in NBA history, the Association will play an entire week of games made up of old school and new school rivalries. Old school rivalries include matchups between the Lakers and Celtics and Nets and 76ers. New school rivalries includes games like Minnesota taking on Memphis. See below for NBA Betting analysis of the top eight matchups during the first ever NBA Rivals Week.

First Ever NBA Rivals Week Matchups & Betting Opportunities

2023 NBA Rivals Week

When: Tuesday, January 24 – Sunday, January 28

Boston Celtics at Miami Heat | Tuesday, January 24

Miami and Boston played in a classic Eastern Conference Finals last season. The Heat kept the nucleus of their team together.

Boston, though, has become the favorite to win the NBA Championship because the Cs went out and traded for point-guard Malcolm Brogdon. This happens on Miami’s court. So the Heat get the nod.

NBA Rivals Week Pick: Miami Heat

Los Angeles Clippers at Los Angeles Lakers | Tuesday, January 24

On paper, the Lakers can hang with the Clippers. LAL traded for point guard Patrick Beverly.

Beverly is one of the best defensive guards in the Association. He’s a huge upgrade over Russell Westbrook. If LeBron plays, this will be a done deal. The King steps it up when the lights are brightest. So although the Clippers are favored over the Lakers to win the Western Conference, the Lake Show takes this game.

NBA Rivals Week Pick: Los Angeles Lakers

Brooklyn Nets at Philadelphia 76ers | Wednesday, January 25

Brooklyn is a mess. Sure, Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and Blake Griffin remain Nets, but there are no leaders and the players haven’t meshed well with coach Steve Nash.

The Sixers, on the other hand, are a legit NBA Finals contender. Big Joel Embiid and James Harden will excel together now that Tyrese Maxey is the legit starting point guard and Philly signed Mr. Hustle, P.J. Tucker.

NBA Rivals Week Pick: Philadelphia 76ers

Dallas Mavericks at Phoenix Suns | Thursday, January 26

The Mavs and Suns should battle all season for one of the top three seeds in the Western Conference Playoffs. Dallas let Jalen Brunson go to the Knicks.

No worries for the Mavericks. Because Dallas traded for top Houston big Christian Wood.

The Suns resigned their franchise center, DeAndre Ayton. If Suns backup point guard Cameron Payne takes on a more extensive role, and Payne excels in that role, Phoenix will once boast the conference’s best regular season record.

NBA Rivals Week Pick: Phoenix Suns

Memphis Grizzlies at Minnesota Timberwolves | Friday, January 27

The Timberwolves made a seriously impactful trade during the offseason. The T’Wolves acquired Utah center Rudy Gobert.

But the real reason to like Minnesota in this game, and to outshine rival Memphis during the regular season, is because 2020 first round pick Anthony Edwards is going to blossom into one of the top players in the league in 2022.

NBA Rivals Week Pick: Minnesota Timberwolves

Los Angeles Lakers at Boston Celtics | Saturday, January 28

It would be nice if the Lakers hang with the Celtics. Maybe, after the midway point of the season, they’ll be able to. But LAL doesn’t have much shot in this game.

The Celtics have the much better roster. Not only that, but this takes place at the TD Garden. So in the NBA Rival Weeks’ final game, the Celtics best the Lakers.

NBA Rivals Week Pick: Boston Celtics