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 29.
MORE: Check out the VSiN Pro Picks page for more bets from our talented hosts and analysts!
Houston Rockets at Toronto Raptors – 6:30 pm ET
Houston is 2-0-1 to the Over this season, while Toronto is 3-1 to the Over. The Raptors are also likely to be without Jakob Poeltl, a good rim protector, in this one. Still, I can’t help but think that a total of 233.5 is a little too high with these two teams.
Since Ime Udoka became the head coach of the Rockets, the Under is 8-6 in the 14 road games Houston has played with totals of 230 or higher. The Under is also 17-16 in the 33 home games that Toronto has played with totals of 230 or higher under Darko Rajakovic.
These are also two defensive-minded teams, even if the early-season numbers don’t suggest that. Last season, after the All-Star break, the Raptors were one of the best defensive teams in basketball. Meanwhile, the Rockets were fourth in the NBA in adjusted defensive rating (110.1) last year.
I also think that Toronto’s ball pressure could test a Houston team that is playing without a proven player at point guard. And overall, I don’t see either one of these teams shooting the 3-ball well. Our VSiN projections have this game with an estimated score of Rockets 118.4 – Raptors 112.3. That’s a total that would be below this 233.5 number. And I think it’ll be even further away from the number than that. Dunks & Threes has these teams combining for 229.
Bet: Under 233.5 (-110)
Orlando Magic at Detroit Pistons – 7:00 pm ET
The Magic have looked awful to start the season, but the Pistons are playing their third game in four nights. They also have several key players listed on the injury report. Those things should give Orlando a pretty immediate edge in this one. However, the on-court stuff should favor the Magic as well.
Orlando just has a very good defensive option for Cade Cunningham, as the Magic can throw Franz Wagner on him. Wagner is one of the league’s best wing defenders, and he has the length, athleticism, and toughness to frustrate Cunningham here. Also, when Wagner needs a break, Jalen Suggs can also do some good work defending the Pistons star.
The Magic are also 9-0 against the spread when playing on the road coming off a game in which they allowed 230 or more points under Jamahl Mosley. And I’m not even looking for Orlando to cover a number, I just need the Magic to win outright. The Pistons also happen to be just 6-11 straight-up when playing homes with lines of +3 to -3 under J.B. Bickerstaff, so these games that are expected to be close haven’t been kind to them.
Detroit is also just 27th in the NBA in points per 100 possessions (107.6) so far. It’ll be hard for this team to score against Orlando with production like that. Sure, the Magic have been pretty miserable offensively themselves, but they’re facing a Pistons team that just played a miserable game against the Cavaliers. Things might not be much better in a bad rest spot.
Bet: Magic ML (-125 – 1.5 units)
2025-26 Sides/Totals: 11-7 (+4.08 units)
