NBA Best Bets Today, 10/23: Picks, Predictions & Player Props - Wednesday
What a thrilling start to the 2024-25 NBA season and our NBA predictions. The Boston Celtics make ‘banner night’ one to remember with a record tying number of 3s made for an opening NBA Game. An absolute beat down of the New York Knicks who some are calling the second-best team in the Eastern Conference.
My best bet of the game, Al Horford under 6.5 rebounds came in safely, he didn’t even earn half that amount, and didn’t play most of the second half. The spread bet mentioned, Boston -5.5, was never really in question. The Celtics controlled this game from tip off to the last buzzard, even with so many failed three point attempts in the last quarter of the game. Two for two in the first game of the season.
We witnessed history as LeBron James and Bronny James become the first father/son combo to play in the NBA together. A special moment that brought Ken Griffey Sr. & Ken Griffey Jr. to the game. The game tightened up in the fourth quarter, as both teams played well but looked out of shape at times.
Anthony Davis had no issues earning over 12.5 rebounds and the Lakers moneyline was successful. Yesterday’s NBA picks went perfect! That’s right all four suggested bets won, and now we turn our attention to staying perfect and stacking units with our NBA best bets today.
NBA Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 10/23
There are ten games in the NBA today, and there are great angles on all of them. That is what I am here to help with, as tempting as it is to lay wagers like ice cubes in a glass on a hot day it’s wise to look for the NBA best bets today. The angles that will give us wins and build up our bankroll. Today’s NBA best bets do just that!
Bucks vs. 76ers Prediction: Milwaukee -4 (+100 on DraftKings) *2 Units [Bet Of The Night]
The Milwaukee Bucks open up on the road against the Philadelphia 76ers in the first game on ESPN today. A battle of NBA champion coaches, Doc Rivers and Nick Nurse, in a possible Eastern Conference playoff preview. The expectations are high for Philadelphia
Revenge game narratives may not hold as much value in the NBA as it does in the NFL, but being at full strength is a huge advantage. The spread seems a bit off for the Bucks, currently 3.5 to 4 depending on the sportsbook, and we at Fantasy Alarm are taking advantage of it.
This line has been teased up to 4 in order to remove the hook and return positive odds. Even odds for a star-studded Milwaukee Bucks team to beat the 76ers is the bet of the night. A team who lost Tobias Harris in free agency and will not have Paul George, nor Joel Embiid, seems like a front court in trouble against Giannis Antetokounmpo. Put two units on the Bucks to cover the teased up spread to start off my NBA best bets today.
Best NBA Prop Bets & Other Picks Today, 10/23
The Detroit Pistons open up their 2024 season at home and against the Indiana Pacers. Although they are playing against a team that made it to the Eastern Conference Finals, the Pistons are hoping for a better beginning to the season and should improve on their historically bad season yesterday. It starts today though.
In addition, if you read this NBA best bets column last year, you might remember when Fantasy Alarm rode Scottie Barnes to 8 straight successful prop bets and 12 of 13 in a 5-week span… Put simply he’s one of ‘My Guys’ for NBA bets.
Pacers vs. Pistons Prediction: Jalen Duren Over 11.5 Rebounds (-120 on DraftKings)
One bright spot for the Pistons last year was center Jalen Duren. We often bet on his line last year and would alternate on his over and under. We also look at his double-double line as it is a pro tip to look at a player's double-double line when their rebounding odds are at 9.5 or 10.5.
Today, Duren’s double-double line is at -180, however his rebounding line is at 11.5. The over is set at -120 and against Myles Turner, Duren should have a quality rebounding night. He is the bigger and better low-post center.
The Pacers are a fast paced, up and down the court team, which usually attempts more field goals than the league average. This has been the style of Head Coach Rick Carlisle for decades and it won’t stop tonight.
This benefits Duren with more defensive rebounding opportunities, and as long as he stays out of foul trouble this should be an easy prop to achieve for the third-year big man. Put a unit on him to snag 12+ rebounds.
Cavaliers vs. Raptors Prediction: Scottie Barnes Over 21.5 Points (+100 on FanDuel)
Oftentimes we like to roll with Barnes’ rebounds, but he should be a featured scorer for the Toronto Raptors today. Particularly with Bruce Brown and RJ Barrett both out. Barnes is essentially the only healthy starting forward for Toronto, and he operates like a point forward.
The Raptors are 6.5-point underdogs against the Cavaliers and Barnes could be putting up several field goal attempts to come from behind. The logic and the numbers are on our side, and one unit on ‘My Guy’ Scottie Barnes should be placed.
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Bet Smart, Be Lucky - Iggy
*All odds accurate at time of writing and NBA best bets to be placed at 1 unit unless specified otherwise