NBA Daily Picks For January 13th, 2025: Lakers Return To Action Against Spurs

Six NBA games, big matchups, and key injuries. Check out our in-depth predictions and see who’s favored to win tonight.

12 Min Read

Credit: Fadeaway World

After a strong 3-1 performance in our last round of predictions, our season record now stands at 245-126, boosting our accuracy rate to 66.0%. Tonight, we’re looking forward to a competitive 6-game slate. Let’s break down each matchup and aim for another successful night!

The evening starts with the Minnesota Timberwolves taking on the Washington Wizards. The Golden State Warriors face the Toronto Raptors in what promises to be a fast-paced matchup. 

The Detroit Pistons meet the New York Knicks, with the Knicks heavily favored. The Memphis Grizzlies take on the Houston Rockets in a battle between young, energetic teams. 

The Miami Heat face the Los Angeles Clippers in a tightly contested matchup. Finally, the San Antonio Spurs visit the Los Angeles Lakers in a game that favors the Lakers.

Let’s dive into these games and aim to continue our strong prediction streak.


Minnesota Timberwolves At Washington Wizards – 7:00 PM EST

Wolves Current Record: 20-18

Wizards Current Record: 6-31

Wolves Injuries: Terrence Shannon Jr. – Out (Ankle)

Wizards Injuries: Malcolm Brogdon – Out (Foot), Tristan Vukcevic – Out (Ankle), Marvin Bagley III – Out (Knee), Saddiq Bey – Out (Knee)

Last 5 Meetings: Wizards Lead 3-2

The Minnesota Timberwolves travel to Washington to take on the struggling Wizards at Capital One Arena. Minnesota is coming off a narrow 127-125 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, despite a strong showing from Donte DiVincenzo, who had 27 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists. The Wizards, meanwhile, suffered a 136-95 blowout loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, their sixth consecutive defeat.

Minnesota will rely on Anthony Edwards, who leads the team with 25.4 points per game, alongside solid contributions from Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert. The Timberwolves’ defense, ranked fourth in the league in points allowed per game, should create challenges for the Wizards’ offense, which ranks 24th in scoring.

Washington has struggled on both ends of the floor this season. While Jordan Poole has provided scoring consistency with 21.5 points per game, the team’s overall defensive shortcomings have been a significant issue. Additionally, injuries to key players like Malcolm Brogdon further hinder their competitiveness.

The Timberwolves’ balanced attack and superior defensive play should be enough to secure a comfortable road victory over a Wizards team struggling for answers.

Prediction: Wolves def. Wizards 111-101


Golden State Warriors At Toronto Raptors – 7:30 PM EST

Warriors Current Record: 19-19

Raptors Current Record: 8-31

Warriors Injuries: Draymond Green – Day To Day (Back), Brandin Podziemski – Out (Abdomen), Gary Payton II – Out (Calf)

Raptors Injuries: N/A

Last 5 Meetings: Warriors Lead 3-2

The Toronto Raptors host the Golden State Warriors at Scotiabank Arena in a battle of two teams seeking to rebound from recent struggles. The Raptors have dropped five straight games and continue to face challenges despite solid performances from players like RJ Barrett and Scottie Barnes. Barnes is averaging 20.3 points and 8.2 rebounds, showcasing his versatility in an otherwise inconsistent season for Toronto.

The Warriors, currently .500 on the season, are eager to regain their rhythm following a loss to the Indiana Pacers. Stephen Curry remains their driving force, averaging 22.6 points and 6.1 assists per game, while Buddy Hield and Andrew Wiggins provide complementary scoring options. Golden State’s ability to stretch the floor with strong three-point shooting is a key advantage.

Toronto’s defense has struggled, allowing 119.2 points per game, one of the highest marks in the league. The Warriors will look to exploit this with their offensive depth and superior ball movement. While the Raptors have shown flashes of competitiveness, their struggles against well-rounded teams like the Warriors are evident.

Prediction: Warriors def. Raptors 115-104


Detroit Pistons At New York Knicks – 7:30 PM EST

Pistons Current Record: 20-19

Knicks Current Record: 26-14

Pistons Injuries: Jaden Ivey – Out (Leg)

Knicks Injuries: Jalen Brunson – Day To Day (Shoulder), Mithcell Robinson – Out (Ankle), Kevin McCullar Jr. – Out (Knee)

Last 5 Meetings: Knicks Lead 4-1

The Detroit Pistons face off against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden in what promises to be an intriguing Eastern Conference matchup. The Pistons have been one of the league’s pleasant surprises, sitting in eighth place after a dramatic improvement from last season. Detroit recently broke a 16-game losing streak against New York with a 120-111 victory at MSG, showcasing their ability to compete with top teams.

Cade Cunningham leads the Pistons with his versatile play, averaging 27 points and 10 assists over the last five games. Complemented by Malik Beasley’s scoring and Tobias Harris’s consistency, Detroit has a balanced offense that can capitalize on defensive lapses. Winning the rebounding battle, as they did in their previous meeting, will be crucial for the Pistons’ chances.

The Knicks, third in the East, will rely on Jalen Brunson’s offensive leadership and Karl-Anthony Towns’ inside dominance. Brunson has been particularly effective against Detroit, and Towns’ return from injury gives New York an added edge in rebounding and interior scoring. However, the Knicks must improve their perimeter defense, which faltered in their recent loss to Detroit.

Prediction: Knicks def. Pistons 117-110


Memphis Grizzlies At Houston Rockets – 8:00 PM EST

Grizzlies Current Record: 25-14

Rockets Current Record: 25-12

Grizzlies Injuries: Jay Huff – Day To Day (Knee), GG Jacksin II – Out (Foot), Cam Spencer – Out (Thumb), Marcus Smart – Out (Finger), Vince Williams Jr. – Out (Ankle)

Rockets Injuries: Tari Eason – Out (Leg), Jabari Smith Jr. – Out (Hand)

Last 5 Meetings: Rockets Lead 4-1

The Memphis Grizzlies visit the Houston Rockets in a high-stakes Western Conference showdown at the Toyota Center. The Rockets have claimed both prior meetings this season, including a dominant 128-108 home win and a closer 119-115 victory in Memphis. Houston’s dynamic trio of Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, and Fred VanVleet has powered them to success, while Memphis leans on Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Desmond Bane.

For the Grizzlies, defensive improvement is critical. They’ve struggled to contain Houston’s high-octane offense, particularly in the opening quarter. Memphis must also address their shooting inefficiencies, including a recent dip from beyond the arc and persistent free-throw struggles. Ja Morant’s leadership and the two-way play of Jaren Jackson Jr. will be vital to turn the tide.

Houston’s success has stemmed from explosive starts, with Sengun and Green leading the charge. The Rockets’ ability to generate turnovers and capitalize on them has been a key advantage. Maintaining defensive pressure and efficient shooting will be essential for a third consecutive win against Memphis.

The Rockets’ strong home form and balanced attack give them the edge, but the Grizzlies’ adjustments could keep it close. Expect a tightly contested battle, with Houston edging out Memphis in a nail-biter.

Prediction: Rockets def. Grizzlies 118-116


Miami Heat At Los Angeles Clippers – 10:30 PM EST

Heat Current Record: 20-17

Clippers Current Record: 20-17

Heat Injuries: Josh Richardson – Out (Heel), Dru Smith – Out (Achilles)

Clippers Injuries: P.J. Tucker – Out (Away from team)

Last 5 Meetings: Heat Lead 3-2

The Miami Heat visit the Los Angeles Clippers in a cross-conference matchup at Intuit Dome. Both teams are looking to strengthen their positions in their respective playoff races. Miami has been on a roll with three consecutive victories, fueled by Tyler Herro’s scoring surge and notable contributions from Nikola Jovic and Terry Rozier. The Heat’s defensive identity remains intact despite the absence of Jimmy Butler, and they’ve shown resilience on the road with a .500 record.

The Clippers, on the other hand, are returning home after a tough loss to the Denver Nuggets. Norman Powell leads their scoring effort, while James Harden continues to anchor the playmaking. Ivica Zubac will be a key factor, leveraging his size against Miami’s smaller interior defense. Los Angeles has been solid at home and will aim to capitalize on their depth to control the game tempo.

While the Heat’s recent form gives them a fighting chance, the Clippers’ home-court advantage and balanced attack should allow them to edge out a competitive contest.

Prediction: Clippers def. Heat 112-106


San Antonio Spurs At Los Angeles Lakers – 10:30 PM EST

Spurs Current Record: 18-19

Lakers Current Record: 20-16

Spurs Injuries: Jeremy Sochan – Day To Day (Back)

Lakers Injuries: LeBron James – Day To Day (Foot), Anthony Davis – Day To Day (Foot), Bronny James – Day To Day (Illness), Jalen Hood-Schifino – Out (Hamstring), Christian Wood – Out (Knee), Jarred Vanderbilt – Out (Knee)

Last 5 Meetings: Lakers Lead 4-1

The San Antonio Spurs visit the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena in a compelling Western Conference matchup. This game marks the Lakers’ return to action following a week-long hiatus due to the California wildfires, adding emotional weight to an already intriguing contest.

For the Spurs, Victor Wembanyama continues his outstanding sophomore season, averaging 25.1 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 4 blocks per game. Despite his brilliance, San Antonio enters the game on a three-game losing streak and has struggled on the road with a 6-11 record. Players like Devin Vassell and Keldon Johnson will need to step up offensively to complement Wembanyama against a Lakers team that thrives at home.

The Lakers, led by Anthony Davis (25.8 points, 11.9 rebounds) and LeBron James (23.8 points, 8.8 assists), have a strong 12-5 home record. They’ve already defeated the Spurs twice this season, averaging 119.5 points in those games. Key contributions from Austin Reaves and Dalton Knecht have bolstered the Lakers’ supporting cast, making them a tough team to beat.

Given the emotional stakes and home-court advantage, the Lakers are well-positioned to extend their dominance over the Spurs.

Prediction: Lakers def. Spurs 118-110

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Vishwesha Kumar is a staff writer for Fadeaway World from Bengaluru, India. Graduating with a Bachelor of Technology from PES University in 2020, Vishwesha leverages his analytical skills to enhance his sports journalism, particularly in basketball. His experience includes writing over 3000 articles across respected publications such as Essentially Sports and Sportskeeda, which have established him as a prolific figure in the sports writing community.Vishwesha’s love for basketball was ignited by watching LeBron James, inspiring him to delve deeply into the nuances of the game. This personal passion translates into his writing, allowing him to connect with readers through relatable narratives and insightful analyses. He holds a unique and controversial opinion that Russell Westbrook is often underrated rather than overrated. Despite Westbrook's flaws, Vishwesha believes that his triple-double achievements and relentless athleticism are often downplayed, making him one of the most unique and electrifying players in NBA history, even if his style of play can sometimes be polarizing. 
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