The Silcoff Selections: Best NHL & NBA Bets For January 5, 2026

The Silcoff Selections are here for January 5th, 2026. With all the action in sports tonight, here are some of my favourite plays across sports today.

NBA:

Los Angeles Clippers Moneyline (+100) vs Golden State Warriors

The Clippers have won eight of their last ten matchups against the Warriors and come in playing solid basketball, winning six of their last seven games overall. While this isn’t always the most trustworthy team, the recent form and matchup history are hard to ignore. As a home underdog against a struggling Golden State squad, I’ll take my chances with the Clippers in this spot.

Utah Jazz +6 (-110) @ Portland Trailblazers

Utah has covered eight of its last ten games against Portland and enters this matchup as the healthier team. The Blazers remain without Jerami Grant, Jrue Holiday, and Scoot Henderson. The Jazz have been competitive as of late, and even if they don’t win outright, I expect them to keep this one close and keep it within two possessions.

NHL:

Washington Capitals Moneyline (-140) vs Anaheim Ducks

Washington has won seven of the last ten meetings against Anaheim and gets a chance to even up the season series after a 4–3 shootout loss in California on December 5th. With the Capitals struggling as of late, this feels like a spot where urgency should be high. Needing two points to stay afloat in a tight Eastern Conference playoff race, I’ll back Washington at home.

Detroit Red Wings Moneyline (+130) @ Ottawa Senators

Ottawa has dominated this Atlantic Division matchup lately, winning eight of the last ten meetings, and the Senators are starting to heat up with two straight wins to open 2026. However, Detroit is coming off back-to-back losses to Pittsburgh that knocked them out of first place in the East and the division, creating some urgency on their side. Ultimately, this play comes down to goaltending, with Ottawa without Linus Ullmark due to personal leave. Against a depleted goalie situation, I’ll trust Detroit’s high-powered forward group to take advantage on the road.