Best bets today for all sports: Thursday's picks include Kings vs. Warriors NBA play [1/8/2026]

NBA: Kings +12.5 (-105)

• Edge: 6.7%
• Probability: 57.9%
• NBA matchup: Kings vs. Warriors (10:00PM ET, Friday)

Our model has identified value on Kings +12.5 at -105 odds. A 57.9% probability produces an edge of 6.7%, making this the strongest play for today's sports action.

Men's College Basketball: Detroit Mercy +5.5 (-110)

• Edge: 5.8%
• Probability: 58.2%
• NBA matchup: Wright State vs. Detroit Mercy (7:00PM ET, Friday)

Detroit Mercy +5.5 carries a 5.8% edge and a probability of 58.2% at -110 odds, according to our model.

NBA: Pelicans vs. Wizards over 240.5 points (-106)

• Edge: 3.9%
• Probability: 55.4%
• NBA Matchup: Pelicans vs. Wizards (7:00PM ET, Friday)

Pelicans vs. Wizards over 240.5 points at -106 odds shows a 3.9% edge, supported by a 55.4% probability in simulations.

Men's College Basketball: Cleveland State vs. Oakland under 173.5 points (-105)

• Edge: 3.7%
• Probability: 55%
• Men's College Basketball Matchup: Cleveland State vs. Oakland (7:00PM ET, Friday)

A 3.7% edge and 55% probability make Cleveland State vs. Oakland under 173.5 points at a value play in the Cleveland State vs. Oakland matchup, per our model.

Men's College Basketball: Bowling Green +2.5 (-108)

• Edge: 3.7%
• Probability: 55.6%
• Men's College Basketball Matchup: Akron vs. Bowling Green (8:00PM ET, Friday)

Bowling Green +2.5 at -108 odds presents a 3.7% edge, with simulations resulting in a probability of 55.6%.

NBA: Lakers ML (-142)

• Edge: 3.5%
• Probability: 62.2%
• NBA Matchup: Bucks vs. Lakers (10:30PM ET, Friday)

Our model finds value on Lakers to win at -142 odds, supported by an edge of 3.5%.

Tennis: Daniil Medvedev -4.5 (-104)

• Edge: 3.3%
• Probability: 54.2%
• Tennis Matchup: Daniil Medvedev vs. Kamil Majchrzak (5:00AM ET, Friday)

Our model has uncovered value on Daniil Medvedev -4.5 at -104 odds. A 54.2% probability produces a 3.3% edge, making this a strong play for today's tennis action.

NBA: Raptors +8.5 (-105)

• Edge: 3.2%
• Probability: 54.4%
• NBA Matchup: Raptors vs. Celtics (7:00PM ET, Friday)

A 3.2% edge on a 54.4% probability makes Raptors +8.5 at -105 odds a solid value play in today's Raptors vs. Celtics matchup.

NBA: Nuggets ML (-124)

• Edge: 3.2%
• Probability: 58.6%
• NBA Matchup: Hawks vs. Nuggets (9:00PM ET, Friday)

Our model projects value on Nuggets to win at -124 odds. A 58.6% probability produces a 3.2% edge, making Nuggets the favorable ML play in Saturday’s NBA matchup.

Men's College Basketball: Akron vs. Bowling Green under 164.5 points (-105)

• Edge: 3.0%
• Probability: 54.2%
• Men's College Basketball Matchup: Kamil Majchrzak vs. Daniil Medvedev (8:00PM ET, Friday)

Rounding out our top 10 bets, Akron vs. Bowling Green under 164.5 points at -105 odds shows a 54.2% probability and a 3.0% edge.

Best sports bets today summary: Thursday, 1/8/2026

As of 10:36PM ET, here are our top bets by edge recommended by our model:

Matchup	Bet	Odds	Edge	Probability
Kings vs. Warriors (NBA)	Kings +12.5	-105 @ DraftKings	6.7%	57.9%
Wright State vs. Detroit Mercy (Men's College Basketball)	Detroit Mercy +5.5	-110 @ BetMGM	5.8%	58.2%
Pelicans vs. Wizards (NBA)	Over 240.5 Points	-106 @ FanDuel	3.9%	55.4%
Cleveland State vs. Oakland (Men's College Basketball)	Under 173.5 Points	-105 @ FanDuel	3.7%	55%
Akron vs. Bowling Green (Men's College Basketball)	Bowling Green +2.5	-108 @ DraftKings	3.7%	55.6%
Bucks vs. Lakers (NBA)	Lakers ML	-142 @ DraftKings	3.5%	62.2%
Medvedev vs. Majchrzak (Tennis)	Daniil Medvedev -4.5	-104 @ FanDuel	3.3%	54.2%
Raptors vs. Celtics (NBA)	Raptors +8.5	-105 @ DraftKings	3.2%	54.4%
Hawks vs. Nuggets (NBA)	Nuggets ML	-124 @ FanDuel	3.2%	58.6%
Akron vs. Bowling Green (Men's College Basketball)	Under 164.5 Points	-105 @ DraftKings	3.0%	54.2%

List of upcoming events to bet on now [1/8/2026]

• NCAAM: San Francisco vs. Loyola Marymount (11:00PM ET, Thursday)
• NCAAM: Santa Clara vs. Gonzaga (11:30PM ET, Thursday)
• Tennis: Sonay Kartal vs. Elina Svitolina (12:00AM ET, Friday)
• Tennis: Jessica Pegula vs. Liudmila Samsonova (12:00AM ET, Friday)
• Tennis: Brandon Nakashima vs. Raphael Collignon (12:00AM ET, Friday)
• Tennis: Coleman Wong vs. Lorenzo Musetti (12:30AM ET, Friday)
• Tennis: Nuno Borges vs. Andrey Rublev (1:40AM ET, Friday)
• Tennis: Alex Michelsen vs. Sebastian Korda (2:00AM ET, Friday)
• Tennis: Marta Kostyuk vs. Mirra Andreeva (3:30AM ET, Friday)
• Tennis: Kamil Majchrzak vs. Daniil Medvedev (5:00AM ET, Friday)

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Conclusion

Our best bets are locked and loaded for January 8, 2026, featuring plays such as Kings +12.5 and Detroit Mercy +5.5. Powered by advanced simulations, these picks are here to boost your betting game.

This article, enhanced by AI and automation, aims to deliver accurate insights quickly, with human oversight ensuring high editorial quality. Our predictions are based on current data to help you make informed decisions. For additional resources and advice on responsible gambling, please call 1-800-GAMBLER.

All odds and probabilities in this article are correct and accurate at the time of publication.

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