If you just looked at the scores for the NBA games on right now, you’d probably think it’s just another sleepy Sunday in January. You’d be wrong. Dead wrong. While the casual viewer sees a bunch of mid-season matchups, the actual league landscape is currently a powder keg of trade demands, international experiments, and superstars playing on borrowed time.
London is currently hosting the Magic and Grizzlies at The O2, and while that might seem like a fun "global outreach" thing, the vibes are heavy. We’re deep into the 2025-26 season. The Feb. 5 trade deadline is looming like a final exam nobody studied for.
Honestly, the "dog days" of January don't exist anymore. Not with the new luxury tax aprons making front offices sweat through their expensive suits.
The London Experiment and the Ja Morant Shadow
The earliest tip-off today wasn’t even in the States. The Orlando Magic and Memphis Grizzlies took the floor at 12:00 PM EST in London. But the basketball was almost secondary to the noise surrounding it. Commissioner Adam Silver is out here talking about how a European NBA league might take years to actually turn a profit, while fans are just wondering if they’ll see Ja Morant actually play.
Morant has been the subject of some pretty wild trade rumors lately. The Heat are reportedly "monitoring" the situation, though some insiders like Tim Bontemps are saying that interest might be a bit overblown. Still, when you've got a talent like Ja and the Grizzlies are sitting at 17-23, people start talking.
The Grizzlies are in a weird spot. They’re 11th in the West. They’re basically looking up at the play-in tournament through a glass ceiling. Meanwhile, the Magic (23-18) are actually solid. They’re sitting 5th in the East. It’s funny how the narrative has flipped for these two franchises over the last two years.
Why the Rockets vs. Pelicans Game is a Betting Trap
Later tonight at 7:00 PM EST, the Houston Rockets host the New Orleans Pelicans. On paper? Total blowout. The Rockets are 24-15 and playing like a legit home-court threat. The Pelicans? A disastrous 10-34.
The spread is currently sitting at Rockets -13. That is a massive number for an NBA game.
- Kevin Durant is still doing KD things for Houston, averaging 26.3 points.
- The Pelicans are missing basically their entire identity.
- New Orleans is 13-point underdogs for a reason.
But here’s what most people get wrong about these NBA games on right now. The Pelicans have actually covered the spread in 23 of their 44 games this year. They lose, sure. But they’re scrappy enough to ruin your parlay in the fourth quarter when the Rockets put in the bench.
The Luka-LeBron Tension in LA
If you’re waiting for the late-night slate, the Toronto Raptors vs. LA Lakers at 9:30 PM EST is the one to watch. But don't expect to see Luka Doncic or Austin Reaves. They’re both sidelined with injuries (groin and gastrocnemius strain, respectively).
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The Lakers are 24-14, which sounds good until you realize the internal drama is reaching a boiling point. Rich Paul, LeBron’s agent, has been making some very public waves. He recently suggested on a podcast that the Lakers should trade Austin Reaves to Memphis for Jaren Jackson Jr. Imagine being Reaves and hearing that.
The "Luka trade" from last season was supposed to make the Lakers a juggernaut. Instead, it’s created a timeline mismatch. LeBron is 41. Luka is 26. They’re eating up 64% of the salary cap together. It’s not sustainable, and everyone in the league knows it.
Sunday, Jan 18 Schedule Highlights
| Matchup | Time (EST) | Venue | Key Storyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Magic vs. Grizzlies | 12:00 PM | The O2 (London) | Global brand vs. struggling core |
| Nets vs. Bulls | 7:00 PM | United Center | Battle for the 10th seed |
| Hornets vs. Nuggets | 8:00 PM | Ball Arena | Jokic’s recovery timeline |
| Blazers vs. Kings | 9:00 PM | Golden 1 Center | Blazers' surprise playoff push |
The Giannis Inflection Point
You can't talk about the league right now without mentioning the Milwaukee Bucks. They aren't playing tonight, but their shadow is over every single game. Brian Windhorst reported that the entire trade market is basically "on hold" because nobody knows if Giannis Antetokounmpo is going to ask out.
The Bucks are 17-24. They’re in 11th place. They waived Damian Lillard earlier this season in a desperate attempt to reset. It didn't work.
If Giannis hits the market, the NBA games on right now become irrelevant because every team will be gutted to try and land him. The Thunder (35-7) are currently the best team in the league and have the assets to do it. Imagine Giannis on a team that is already ten games ahead of the rest of the West. That's a "delete the league" scenario.
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What You Should Actually Watch For
Look, if you're tuning in tonight, don't just watch the ball.
Watch the rotations. The Bulls are reportedly "more realistic" about their trade demands now. If you see a guy like Yves Missi getting weird minutes or being showcased, it’s because a deal is cooking. Chicago has been linked to New Orleans center prospects for weeks.
Also, keep an eye on the Portland Trail Blazers. They’re 20-22. Nobody expected them to be within sniffing distance of a playoff spot, but they just beat the Lakers 132-116 last night. They’re playing the Sacramento Kings tonight at 9:00 PM. The Kings are 10-30 and look completely lost. This is a game Portland must win if they’re serious about April.
Actionable Insights for the Games Tonight
- Check the Injury Reports Late: In the 2026 NBA, "Questionable" usually means "Not Playing" unless it's a playoff game. With Luka and Reaves already out for the Lakers, the Raptors moneyline looks a lot more tempting than it did 24 hours ago.
- Fade the Blowout Spreads: As mentioned with the Rockets-Pelicans game, a 13-point spread is bait. The Pelicans' defense is 28th in the league, but their "Over" rate is 54.5%. Look at the total ($228.5$) instead of the side.
- Monitor the London Jet Lag: Teams coming back from London historically struggle. The Magic and Grizzlies won't play for a few days after today, but keep that in mind for their next matchups.
- Follow the "Rich Paul" Trail: When agents start talking trade scenarios on podcasts, the players involved usually start playing with a chip on their shoulder—or they completely check out.
The league is in a state of flux. Between the London games and the looming Feb. 5 deadline, the NBA games on right now are essentially a multi-hour audition for players who might be wearing different jerseys in three weeks.
To stay ahead, keep a close watch on the "DNP - Rest" designations today. Often, a healthy scratch on a Sunday night in January is the first sign that a trade call has been finalized. Focus your attention on the Brooklyn Nets vs. Chicago Bulls game at 7:00 PM; it's a battle of two teams desperately trying to decide if they are buyers or sellers, and the intensity should reflect that desperation.