During the 2024-25 NBA season, the Atlanta Hawks managed to secure only one streak of five or more consecutive wins, which lasted for six games early in the season. They are currently in position for their second such winning streak, having already won four straight. The Hawks (24-25) aim to extend this streak when they host the Houston Rockets (28-17) at State Farm Arena on Thursday at 8 p.m. ET, fresh off a victory over the Boston Celtics on the road. The Rockets, who played on Wednesday and lost to the Spurs, triumphed in their previous two games against the Hawks last season and will face them for the first time in the upcoming 2025-26 season.
Elsewhere in the NBA, the evening features seven other games, including a matchup at the United Center where the Miami Heat (25-23) visit the Chicago Bulls (23-24). This game marks the first of three meetings between the teams this season and follows Miami’s dominant 143-107 win over Chicago in November, although the Bulls won all three matchups during the last season.
In NHL action, 15 games are scheduled, with a highlight being the Washington Capitals (25-22-7) traveling to Little Caesars Arena to face the Detroit Red Wings (32-17-5) at 7:30 p.m. ET. The Capitals have recently struggled, losing six of their last seven contests and being swept in a series against the Red Wings just last month.
College basketball also features tonight’s slate, including a Big West clash between UC Davis (12-8) and Cal State Northridge (11-10) at 10 p.m. ET in Northridge, California. UC Davis has been performing well, winning seven of their last ten games, though they lost their recent encounter with Cal State Northridge earlier in the month.
According to the latest betting odds, Houston is favored by 3.5 points over Atlanta in the NBA, while Miami is a slight favorite by 1.5 points over Chicago. In hockey, the Red Wings are modest favorites on the money line against the Capitals, and Cal State Northridge is favored to win against UC Davis in college basketball.
Here’s what to watch and bet on for Thursday, January 29th: The NBA game between Atlanta and Houston tips off at 8 p.m., with options to stream on NBA League Pass or Fubo. SportsLine analysts suggest over 223.5 points in the game, with Rockets guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker expected to continue his strong scoring streak.
Later at 8 p.m., the Chicago Bulls host the Miami Heat, with predictions favoring a lower-scoring game under 237.5 total points, focusing on Ayo Dosunmu’s scoring potential, given his recent performances.
In NHL, the matchup between the Detroit Red Wings and Washington Capitals also begins at 7:30 p.m., with the model predicting fewer than 6.5 total goals, factoring in recent scoring trends for both teams.
College basketball fans can tune in at 10 p.m. ET for UC Davis versus Cal State Northridge, with predictions favoring the Matadors to potentially cover the spread in a closely contested game.
Fan Take: This night of sports action offers exciting opportunities for fans to catch key matchups and place strategic bets. For hockey enthusiasts, especially, these games could be critical in shaping playoff races, making every goal and play crucial for teams fighting for postseason positioning.
