Every night of the 2026-27 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 Wednesday, October 28.
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NBA Best Bets Today – Wednesday, October 28
Pelicans +5.5 (-115) vs. Nuggets
Nuggets at Pelicans – 8:00 pm ET
I gave out New Orleans +5.5 on my Cashing Out spot last night, so hopefully some people heard it, saw it, or got a look at the Pro Picks page. Right now, this line is mostly sitting at +4.5. However, I do see a somewhat juiced +5.5 (-118) available, which isn’t much worse than what I got.
There is a slight chance we see Denver turn things around soon. The Nuggets have been absolutely miserable this season, scoring only 107.8 points per 100 possessions and allowing 117.0. Both of those are bottom-10 marks in the NBA. I expect the team to pick things up offensively pretty soon, as I just don’t see Nikola Jokic being part of an inefficient scoring team. I also think Denver has some intriguing young pieces, with Trevon Brazile looking like a massive steal and Bryce Hopkins giving the team some good minutes. Perhaps the Nuggets will improve as everyone in the rotation gets used to playing with those guys.
Still, the numbers are the numbers. Denver looks highly beatable right now, and New Orleans should feel good about potentially winning this game. The other night, the Pelicans actually opened up a 23-point lead on this Nuggets team, but Denver was able to put together a ferocious rally to ultimately steal that game in overtime. That was, however, a game played in Ball Arena, where the fans absolutely helped the Nuggets. This game will be played in New Orleans. And while the Pelicans don’t have a strong fanbase, it’ll help just playing without a bunch of Nuggets fans in the building.
Also, while it is early in the season, the Pelicans haven’t played since their loss to the Nuggets. That was on October 24, so they’re coming off three full days of rest and preparation. That should help New Orleans hang around.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Dallas Mavericks UNDER 229.5 (-118)
Thunder at Mavericks – 9:30 pm ET
Oklahoma City is currently No. 2 in the NBA in points allowed per 100 possessions (99.7), and Dallas sits at No. 17 in the league in points per 100 possessions (111.1). That makes it pretty hard to envision a scenario in which the Mavericks put a big number on the board tonight, and that’s especially true with Dallas being 20th in the NBA in pace of play (100.88). However, Oklahoma City, while much more efficient than Dallas offensively, also plays at a very slow pace, ranking 27th in the league (98.88). So, even if the Thunder are executing, I’m not sure they’ll hang a big number either.
Oklahoma City actually comes into this one with the Under at 3-1 in its four games, and it’s exactly the same for Dallas. I don’t see this being the game in which either team flips the switch and looks to get involved in a shootout.
Dunks & Threes, my favorite NBA resource, also happens to have this game finishing with Oklahoma City winning by a score of 110-107. That’d be comfortably Under this number.
Added Plays (Late Picks, Parlays, Teasers, Futures)
PARLAY: Heat Alt +8.5 vs. Hawks & Warriors Alt +10.5 vs. Timberwolves (+102 – 1.5 units)
Micah Nori To Win Coach of the Year (16-1)
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