The start of the 2024-25 NBA season is officially here. We have been waiting for this moment for quite some time, but we haven’t just been sitting on our butts. A couple of weeks ago, we dropped the 2024-25 VSiN NBA Betting Guide, complete with previews of all 30 teams, general NBA betting strategies and some of our favorite season-long futures. Make sure you check that out for some fantastic work from Jonathan Von Tobel, who writes up his best bets daily, and Kelley Bydlon, who constantly dishes out NBA picks as co-host of A Numbers Game. However, now that the real games are starting, you can expect a lot of NBA content from me. I’ll be giving out NBA best bets and player props as often as possible, and I’ll also occasionally write up features on big news that shakes up the league. With that in mind, let’s get into some NBA best bets and NBA player props for Saturday, October 26th.
MORE: Check out our Pro Picks page for everything our experts have on October 26th
NBA Best Bets Today – October 26th
Los Angeles Clippers at Denver Nuggets – 5:00 pm ET
I’m a little surprised that the Clippers are getting this many points against the Nuggets. Los Angeles’ perimeter defense looked insane against Phoenix in the first game of the year, which isn’t that surprising. Before the season started, Terance Mann said that this is the best defensive team he has ever played for. And he has been on some awesome defensive teams. Well, that defense should be able to get to a Denver team that isn’t what it once was offensively. In fact, this Nuggets team is hurting for 3-point shooting in a bad way. When you combine that with the fact that Ivica Zubac has actually been one of the better Nikola Jokic defenders in the league, it’s hard to imagine Denver scoring easily enough to pull away and win this thing convincingly. Also, without Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, the Nuggets are down a player that can be thrown on James Harden on defense. All in all, I think this is shaping up to be a much closer game than the odds suggest.
Bet: Clippers +8.5 (-120)
Orlando Magic at Memphis Grizzlies – 8:00 pm ET
Both of these teams are coming off games last night, so there isn’t a significant rest advantage either way. And the Magic have looked like a better team through two games, as they’re first in the league in adjusted defensive rating and have looked solid enough offensively. However, this is a Grizzlies team that should be a factor in the Western Conference this season, and the fans are going to be fired up to see this group in the home opener. This is a team that was near the top of the West a few years ago, but injuries and off-court drama have hit this franchise hard. Well, everybody is back in action for the Grizzlies now, and that includes Jaren Jackson Jr. The tremendous two-way forward is making his debut for Memphis tonight, and that’s another reason the energy edge should go to the Grizzlies. Having Jackson out there to defend Paolo Banchero will be huge.
This is also a game in which both defenses will dig in and play their tails off, but Memphis is the team with the most unguardable offensive player on the floor. Through two games, Ja Morant is looking like the offensive force he has been for the better part of his young career. Late in a game between two defensive-minded teams, that’s going to come into play and favor the Grizzlies. Memphis is also 117-87 straight-up in home games under Taylor Jenkins, and the team is also 32-18 SU against divisional opponents in that span.
Bet: Grizzlies ML (-110 – 1.5 units)
Houston Rockets at San Antonio Spurs – 8:30 pm ET
The Spurs mostly looked competitive in their loss to the Mavericks the other night, and they now take on a Rockets team that had to dig deep in a comeback win over the Grizzlies last night. Houston should be a little fatigued, even with this being an early-season game and a very quick trip within the state. Second nights of back-to-backs are tough in this league. This is also San Antonio’s home opener, so the Spurs will be fired up. That said, the overall intensity and energy should give the Spurs a nice little advantage here.
This is also a game in which Victor Wembanyama’s presence should really be felt. The French phenom should be able to bottle up Alperen Sengun, who is an awesome player but can occasionally have trouble finishing around the basket. Wembanyama’s length will likely give Sengun problems. I also like that San Antonio has Jeremy Sochan to throw on any Houston wing that gets hot.
This should also be a game in which Chris Paul will be able to control the action. He didn’t look good scoring the ball against the Mavericks last game, but he had eight assists and only two turnovers. Another good game as a floor general is incoming, but I also like him to create his own offense against a team with guards similar to him in size.
I’m rolling with San Antonio on the moneyline in this game, and it doesn’t hurt that Houston is just 1-3 SU in road games with lines of +3 to -3 under Ime Udoka. I’m also putting a little something on Julian Champagnie to knock down at least two 3s at -145, which you’ll see if you scroll down a little. He had 18 points and nailed four triples against Dallas, and it’s clear he’ll be leaned on heavily with Devin Vassell out. Perhaps he can be a profitable player to back early in the season, but I’m not putting too much on it.
Bet: Spurs ML (+110 – 1.5 units)
Sacramento Kings at Los Angeles Lakers – 10:30 pm ET
This is a pretty simple one for me. The Lakers have been extremely impressive to start the year, and I definitely think they’re better than the Kings. However, Los Angeles put a lot into a 22-point comeback win against Phoenix last night, and it could be hard for the team to get its energy up after that. Meanwhile, Sacramento should be hungry for a victory after having let its home opener slip away against Minnesota the other night.
This Kings team also happens to give the Lakers some trouble. Since the 2022-23 season, Sacramento is 7-1 both SU and ATS versus Los Angeles. Domantas Sabonis has enjoyed this matchup in the past, and he should have a big game in the paint. The Kings also have speedy guards that will push the tempo and try to take advantage of any potential tired legs on the Lakers side.
Bet: Kings +1.5 (-115)
NBA Player Props Today – October 26th
Miami Heat at Charlotte Hornets – 7:00 pm ET
Terry Rozier played 32 minutes against the Magic in the Heat season opener, and he finished with 19 points, six rebounds and five assists. Of course, Rozier won’t be that productive every night. However, he is generally a guard that can be relied on to stuff the stat sheet. And last year, Rozier averaged 16.4 points, 4.6 assists and 4.2 rebounds per game in his 31 games with Miami. That said, his averages were higher than his PRA total for tonight. And Rozier happens to be playing an opponent that could welcome a track meet. If this turns into an up-and-down game, Rozier should easily clear this mark.
I also like Tre Mann to go Over 11.5 points in this game. The 23-year-old has been cooking for Charlotte this season, averaging 20.5 points per game through two contests. And perhaps more importantly, Mann has taken an average of 17.5 shots per game through two games. As long as he continues to have this high of a usage rate (30.6), I just think it’d be irresponsible not to try and take advantage of it on the player prop market. Sure, the Heat can defend at a very high level, but I don’t care about the efficiency here. I just want to see him get up shots. The points will come.
Bet: Rozier Over 23.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists (-115)
Bet: Tre Mann Over 11.5 Points (-130)
Cleveland Cavaliers at Washington Wizards – 7:00 pm ET
I’m going right back to Evan Mobley after last night’s game. I had the Over on his point total of 15.5 and was a little fortunate to cash. However, it’s very clear that Mobley is being empowered in this new offense, as he’s averaging 20.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game through two games. At one point last night, Mobley actually brought the ball up and quickly pulled a top-of-the-key 3. He just looks like a different guy when it comes to confidence, and I’d be surprised if he doesn’t have another good offensive game here. However, I also think he’ll have a big game on the glass. The Wizards weren’t a good rebounding team last year, and they looked soft on the glass against the Celtics in their home opener.
Bet: Mobley Over 24.5 Points + Rebounds (-114)
Added Plays
Julian Champagnie Over 1.5 Made 3s (-145 – 0.5 units) vs. Rockets
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2024-25 NBA Record: 6-11 (-5.00 units)
