NBA Best Bets & Player Props Featuring Nuggets vs Lakers Same Game Parlay
It is the opening day of the NBA! There are two games for opening night tip-off and both games are in the Western Conference. The Denver Nuggets host the Los Angeles Lakers in a rematch of the 2023 Western Conference Finals (WCF). That game tips off at 7:30 PM ET, followed by the Phoenix Suns vs Golden State with a 10:00 PM ET tip off.
This is a rolling article covering NBA bets for the 2023-24 season. It will feature straight bets, props, and a few parlays (including same game parlays). With every betting season, it is suggested you establish your goal, bankroll, and unit count. For example, I am starting with 40 units in my bankroll and have my unit set for my financial situation. My betting goal is to double my bankroll or get to 80 units. To achieve this we will withdraw anytime the bankroll is at 50 units or higher. The withdrawal then goes back to 40 units, and by doing this, we have established marks to hit our goal.
NBA Best Bets & Player Props October 24th
Denver Nuggets vs Los Angeles Lakers Player Props
Jamal Murray is one of the most underrated guards in the NBA and averaged 2.6 threes made last season. He averaged 3.0 per game in the 2023 playoffs, and against the Lakers in the WCF his threes made per game were 4, 6, 5, and 0. The Lakers added size to their roster, this should force more shots from the perimeter, and Murray generally plays the most minutes for Denver. Murray will be playing against the same Lakers backcourt for this game, and being on the home court will get to his favorite spots. On top of that, it’s the Nuggets first ever, banner-dropping- ring celebrating night. Trust the champion.
Pick: Jamal Murray OVER 2.5 made threes (-160 at PointsBet)
Denver Nuggets vs Los Angeles Lakers Same Game Parlay (SGP)
At Fantasy Alarm we have a signup bonus for BetMGM, and BetMGM has an opening day ‘insurance token’ that can be utilized. It is $10 back if your bet does not hit. This is a parlay, and PARLAYS HAVE A LOW SUCCESS RATE, which is why there is only .25 unit placed on this bet. It returns one unit if it is successful, and if not we get a $10 bet in return. Murray we have already discussed, and his points have been teased down 2.5, Anthony Davis is a rebounding machine and his line has been teased down 2.5 as well. Nikola Jokic’s line is added to give the SGP a good boost. This is a variation of Points, Rebounds, Assist (PRA) which is a popular bet in the NBA. Most of the time it is limited to one player’s statistics.
Pick: Nuggets ML, Jamal Murray 20+ Points, Anthony Davis OVER 10.5 Rebounds, Nikola Jokic OVER 9.5 Assist (+400 at BetMGM), .25 Unit
Phonix Suns vs Golden State Warriors Player Props
Kevon Looney could have a busy night. The three-time NBA champion will be starting, at home, in a game that Draymond Green will be OUT. Looney averaged 9.3 rebounds per game last season and was a monster in the playoffs averaging 13.1 per game. The Phoenix Suns traded Deandre Ayton away in a package that returned Jusuf Nurkic, who will be battling for ‘boards’ as the Suns starting center. Kevin Durant is 7’ tall and will earn some rebounds as well, but Looney should get to ten rebounds relatively easily with his expected minutes tonight. If you prefer to live dangerously, his Double-Double line is at +290, something to be mindful of when looking at rebounding or assist lines set at 9.5.
Pick: Kevon Looney OVER 9.5 Rebounds (-137 at Caesars Sportsbook)
Thank you for reading, make sure to check out Fantasy Alarm for all your betting, fantasy, and DFS needs.
Bet Smart, Be Lucky - Iggy (@IDP_Iggy on X)
*All bets are to be placed at 1 unit unless specified otherwise
Player News
Anthony Davis (adductor) and Brandon Williams (oblique) are probable for Friday’s game against the Grizzlies.
Davis was listed as probable Wednesday against the Kings, but ultimately played 35 minutes and had 27 points in the win. The 32-year-old is once again listed as probable with the adductor injury that sidelined him earlier this season. Davis figures to be available as the Mavericks battle the Grizzlies for the eighth seed in the Western Conference on Friday.
Ja Morant (ankle) is questionable for Friday’s game against the Mavericks.
Morant told reporters after Tuesday’s loss to the Warriors that he expects to play Friday. Nevertheless, the 25-year-old point guard missed practice Thursday and is officially listed as questionable with a right ankle sprain. While it’s hard to envision Morant sitting out a game of importance like Friday’s, his ankle is clearly bothering him. If Morant is out, Santi Aldama and Luke Kennard will be in line for extra minutes with Kennard potentially moving into the starting lineup.
Trae Young (Achilles) is probable for Friday’s game against the Heat.
Even in the postseason, the Hawks continue to list Young as probable with an Achilles injury. The listing is performative, stemming from Young being held out of an NBA Cup game earlier this season despite not appearing on the injury report, which resulted in a $100K fine for the Hawks. With the Hawks’ season on the line Friday, expect Young to be cleared to play once again.
Pelle Larsson (ankle) and Nikola Jovic (hand) are questionable for Friday’s game against the Hawks.
No big surprises on the Heat injury report heading into Friday’s game. While Larsson and Jovic are questionable, Duncan Robinson (back), Alec Burks (back) and Haywood Highsmith (Achilles) are all available. Larsson was questionable, but ultimately available against the Bulls Wednesday, though he didn’t play due to coach’s decision. Jovic was out Wednesday as he hasn’t played since February with a broken right hand.
Ja Morant (ankle) missed practice on Thursday and will be a game-time decision against the Mavericks on Friday.
Morant finished out Tuesday’s game against the Warriors after injuring his ankle during overtime and said after the game that he will play on Friday. It’s difficult to imagine him not suiting up for a win-or-go-home game, but the ankle is clearly bothering him quite a bit, which could impact his performance on the court. If something changes, Santi Aldama and Luke Kennard will take on extra minutes, with Kennard potentially replacing Morant in the starting unit.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reports Damian Lillard has been cleared of his deep vein thrombosis and is no longer on blood-thinning medication.
Charania also reported that this is an incredibly quick recovery for Lillard that was made possible by early treatment. It is an excellent development for both Dame and the Bucks. He has been ruled out for Game 1 against the Pacers on Saturday, and they will give him time to ramp up before he returns to the lineup. It’s unclear what that timeline looks like, but Lillard is certainly on pace to return sooner rather than later. Ryan Rollins should continue to start in place of Dame until he returns.