Friday, January 9th, 2026
Every day, The Raymond Report hands out a Report Card on today’s matchups using the 5 core fundamentals (market direction, recent cycles, home/away splits, opponent profiles, and value index).
This is not picks — this is context, and context is how bettors stop guessing and start investing.
Let’s break down what the market is telling us tonight and how sharp bettors should be thinking before touching a ticket.
🟢 A-GRADE MATCHUPS (Market Respect)
These are games where multiple fundamentals align. When A’s show up, you pay attention — not blindly bet, but listen.
🔹 Toronto Raptors – Total 224.5
Toronto owns a BULLISH Value Index (+6) despite a low COW%. Translation?
👉 The market is underrating pace and matchup efficiency, not the side.
This is a total-driven game, not a spread obsession.
🔹 Boston Celtics – -8.5
Boston checks nearly every box:
- Strong forecast (115+)
- Solid home/away balance
- BULLISH MVI (-6)
Big spreads scare recreational bettors.
Professionals ask: “Is the favorite still cheap?”
Tonight, the numbers say yes — but only if game script stays clean.
🔹 Oklahoma City Thunder – -4.5
This is one of the strongest profiles on the board:
- 18–3 recent cycle
- 22–2 vs similar opponents
- Massive BULLISH VI (-11.08)
When the Raymond Report flashes numbers like this, it’s not hype — it’s market pressure.
🔹 Denver Nuggets – -1.5
Denver’s metrics scream respect, not aggression:
- Balanced splits
- Neutral MVI
- Strong recent opponent history
This is a classic “don’t overthink it” matchup. Let the number tell the story.
🔹 Los Angeles Lakers – -3.5
Lakers carry a NEUTRAL MVI but a very strong historical profile (16–3).
That’s market memory at work.
The question isn’t “Are the Lakers good?”
It’s “Is the number inflated?”
That answer depends on late money, not fan emotion.
🟡 B-GRADE MATCHUPS (Situational Games)
These are decision games, not conviction games.
🔸 Philadelphia 76ers – -1.5
Good forecast, neutral value, mixed cycles.
👉 This is a timing game, not a matchup game.
🔸 Phoenix Suns – Total 230
Phoenix shows BULLISH momentum (+5.6 VI) but inconsistent opponent history.
Overs bettors should monitor pace early, not fall in love pre-tip.
🔸 Golden State Warriors – -13.5
Big number. Strong COW. Neutral value.
This is where sportsbooks make rent money from casual bettors.
Proceed carefully — blowout math matters.
🔴 C-GRADE MATCHUPS (Caution Zone)
C doesn’t mean “bad.”
It means conflict — and conflict is where bankrolls go to die.
Teams like:
- New Orleans Pelicans
- Sacramento Kings
- Memphis Grizzlies
…show BEARISH or fractured profiles.
If you’re betting these games, you better have a reason beyond vibes and Twitter clips.
📊 Final Betting Takeaway
Tonight’s NBA slate is value-heavy, not chaos-heavy.
- A-Grades → Market alignment
- B-Grades → Timing & confirmation
- C-Grades → Trap doors & false confidence
This is why The Raymond Report exists — to separate information from impulse.
If you want the full breakdowns, live market movement, and daily report cards, that’s what we do at ATSStats.com.
Because guessing is free — winning costs discipline 😉
