Every night of the 2025-26 NBA season gives us a fresh set of games and numbers to pick apart. This daily column digs into the best sides and totals on the board, using in-depth basketball analysis, betting trends, and our VSiN NBA betting splits to spot value. We’ll also be tackling these slates relentlessly on our live VSiN programming, which is why basketball fans should really consider a VSiN Pro subscription. Below you’ll find some NBA picks and predictions for October 27.
MORE: Check out the VSiN Pro Picks page for more bets from our talented hosts and analysts!
Atlanta Hawks at Chicago Bulls – 8:00 pm ET
Under Billy Donovan, the Bulls are just 37-60 straight-up when playing as home underdogs. They’re also 20-34 SU when coming off an upset win on the road in that time. That one’s also interesting because there’s a betting system that applies there. Since 2022, road teams in games with moneylines of +135 to -155 that are coming off home losses are 28-10 SU when facing teams that are coming off wins as road underdogs. The road team has also won those games by an average of 5.9 points per game.
This also feels like a tough on-court matchup for Chicago. Without Coby White, it could be hard for the team to consistently create quality looks against an Atlanta team that has a bunch of smothering on-ball options. Trae Young will get picked on a little in this one, but the Hawks will have Dyson Daniels and Nickeil Alexander-Walker to throw at Josh Giddey (if he sheds his questionable tag) and a somewhat uninspiring group of guards. Atlanta also has some size and athleticism inside to make Nikola Vucevic uncomfortable. I’m also not very worried about the Hawks offense finding a way to be productive against this Bulls defense.
Bet: Hawks ML (-117)
Boston Celtics at New Orleans Pelicans – 8:00 pm ET
It’s hard to feel too good about backing the Pelicans against a team wearing Celtics jerseys, even if Boston no longer resembles the team we’ve seen in recent seasons. However, this is a game that New Orleans really should win. The Pelicans have been better than the Celtics when it comes to raw offensive rating (111.7 vs. 110.6) and raw defensive rating (114.8 vs. 116.8). New Orleans also comes into this game with a significant advantage in the rest department. I know it’s early in the season, meaning bodies are fresh all around. However, Boston is coming off a road loss to Detroit yesterday. This is also the Celtics’ third game in four nights. Meanwhile, the Pelicans haven’t played since they lost a close one against the Spurs on Friday.
It’s also hard not to feel like Zion Williamson will be the best player on the floor here, plus New Orleans has the length and athleticism required to bother Jaylen Brown. Throwing Herb Jones and Trey Murphy III on him should be rather effective for Willie Green.
The only reason I’m not going a little bigger on this play is because Boston is probably due for some positive regression from 3-point land eventually. The Celtics are third in the NBA in attempts per game (44.0), but they’re shooting just 31.1% from deep. Shots are going to fall at a high clip eventually, and I don’t want to be caught with a big play on the opponent when it happens.
Bet: Pelicans ML (-124)
2025-26 Sides/Totals: 9-3 (+5.64 units)
