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, October 25.
RELATED: Check out the Pro Picks page for more selections from our talented VSiN hosts and analysts!
NBA Best Bets Today (Sides/Totals)
Memphis Grizzlies ML (-112 – 1.5 units) vs. Indiana Pacers
Pacers at Grizzlies – 8:00 pm ET
While this is the second night of a back-to-back for Memphis, the Grizzlies got absolutely boat raced by the Heat last night. That has bettors flocking to the Pacers side tonight, with our VSiN betting splits showing serious public support for Indiana. However, there’s some reverse line movement that suggests Memphis is the sharper side. Plus, the fact that the Grizzlies lost by 32 meant that Tuomas Iisalo was able to get his starters out without any of them playing more than 23 minutes. Memphis should be well-rested this evening, and the team should be hungry for a bounce-back performance. I view Memphis as a slightly stronger squad, and home-court advantage could make the difference. Indiana is just 17-27 straight-up on the road in games with lines of +3 to -3 under Rick Carlisle. It doesn’t help the Pacers that Andrew Nembhard is out.
NBA Player Props Today
Nikola Vucevic Over 29.5 Points + Rebounds (-110) vs. Magic
Bulls at Magic – 7:00 pm ET
Vucevic went for 28 points and 14 rebounds against the Pistons on Wednesday. Tonight, the big man faces a tougher challenge, as the Magic should be one of the better defensive teams in basketball. However, with Coby White out, it still seems reasonable to expect another big offensive performance from the 35-year-old center. I’d also be surprised if Vucevic doesn’t put a big dent in his total of 29.5 points and rebounds with his work on the glass alone. Last year, Vucevic averaged 18.5 points and 12.5 boards in two games against Orlando. Another performance like that would put him Over this mark.
Ryan Kalkbrenner Over 1.5 Blocks (+125) vs. 76ers
Hornets at 76ers – 7:30 pm ET
Kalkbrenner had two blocks in 27 minutes in his NBA debut, playing some great two-way basketball in a win over the Nets. Tonight, I like the rookie to have at least two blocks against the Sixers. Covering Joel Embiid, who has a big weight advantage over him, will be very difficult. You shouldn’t be surprised if Kalkbrenner ends up in foul trouble. However, Kalkbrenner is a very good shot-blocker, and being around the basketball a lot should amount to some good opportunities to block some shots. Philadelphia also has a lot of guards that attack the rim, giving Kalkbrenner some more chances to do damage as Charlotte’s rim protector.
Kon Knueppel Over 8.5 Points (-122) vs. 76ers
Hornets at 76ers – 7:30 pm ET
I’m backing another Charlotte rookie in that same game, taking Knueppel to score at least nine points. While the Sixers have a dynamic backcourt, the bucket-getting duo of Tyrese Maxey and V.J. Edgecombe will likely give a lot back on the other end of the floor. Knueppel is a player that could take advantage, as he’s a deadeye 3-point shooter, a savvy off-ball mover, and an underrated on-ball scorer. Knueppel had 11 in his NBA debut, and he scored at least nine points in four of the five preseason games he played. I think it’s reasonable to expect another nine here. Our OptaAI player prop projections have him scoring 10.91.
Aaron Gordon Over 15.5 Points (-120) vs. Suns
Suns at Nuggets – 9:00 pm ET
Gordon poured in 50 points in Denver’s season-opening loss to Golden State on Thursday. I’m not quite expecting another performance like that this evening, but Gordon went 10 for 11 from deep in that game. It’s becoming very clear that his 43.6% 3-point shooting from a year ago was no fluke, and I like him to knock down some triples here. Through two games, Phoenix is allowing opponents to shoot 47.2% from 3-point land. Gordon should get some quality looks, and he should also be able to do some damage in other areas of the court. Our OptaAI player prop projections also happen to have Gordon going for 22.06 points, so there’s a pretty big edge to the Over.
