Now that the weekend is here, it’s time to simplify the grind. Instead of splitting sides/totals and player props into separate pieces, my weekend columns will bring everything under one roof — a streamlined look at my favorite bets for the day’s slate. Fewer words, hopefully the same results. Keep reading for my NBA picks and predictions for Saturday, November 1.
RELATED: Check out the Pro Picks page for more selections from our talented VSiN hosts and analysts!
NBA Best Bets Today (Sides/Totals)
PARLAY: Kings Alt +13.5 vs. Bucks & Pistons ML vs. Mavericks (-143 – 1.5 units)
Kings at Bucks – 5:00 pm ET
Mavericks vs. Pistons – 10:00 pm ET (Mexico City)
I want a little something in the Mexico City game, so I’m putting in an alternate parlay that includes the first game of the day and the last. Let’s take Sacramento to avoid a blowout loss against a Milwaukee team that could be without Giannis Antetokounmpo. If the Kings can do that, we’ll have the Pistons to win at a much better price than their current -285 on the moneyline. Anthony Davis is out for the Mavericks in that game, meaning it’s one that Cade Cunningham and Co. should be able to navigate.
NBA Player Props Today
Keon Ellis Over 7.5 Points (-120) vs. Bucks
Kings at Bucks – 5:00 pm ET
Ellis is averaging 10.0 points per game over the last two games, which is significant considering he played 25.0 minutes per game. Ellis has seen a slight bump in minutes, and he could be in for another with Malik Monk out tonight. That should help Ellis flirt with double digits again, especially with this game having one of the highest totals on the board. Our OptaAI projections have the guard going for 10.88 points.
Khris Middleton Over 17.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists (-110) vs. Magic
Magic at Wizards – 7:00 pm ET
I got burned taking the Over on Middleton’s PRA against the Thunder the other night, but I’m going back to it here. Our OptaAI projections have Middleton finishing with 22.33 combined points, rebounds, and assists tonight, and he has one of the highest margins on the board on DraftKings’ total of 18.5 PRA. However, there’s a 17.5 out there, making this an even stronger edge to the Over. Plus, Middleton is going up against a Magic team that has been very disappointing defensively thus far. He should be able to do some real damage offensively here.
Alperen Sengun Over 0.5 Made 3s (-136) vs. Celtics
Rockets at Celtics – 8:00 pm ET
Sengun is shooting 57.1% from 3 on 3.5 attempts per game this season. He hasn’t been shy about getting shots up, and the improved 3-ball is part of the reason he’s averaging a career-high 23.8 points per game. Well, you don’t have to pay a ton of juice to go Over on 0.5 made triples for Sengun tonight, which feels crazy in what could be an up-and-down game against Boston. That said, I’m firing away on this one. OptaAI has Sengun making 1.37 triples this evening.
2025-26 Overall Record: 31-25 (+3.84 units)
