Free NBA Picks For Today, Wednesday 10/23/2024
Indiana Pacers vs. Detroit Pistons NBA Betting Pick Prediction 10/23/2024
Pacers at Pistons—Isaiah Jackson is questionable for Indiana. Ausar Thompson and Klintman are out for Detroit. The Pistons finished at 14-68 a year ago. Former Cleveland head coach J.B. Bickerstaff takes over for the Pistons. Cade Cunningham put up 23 points per game for the Pistons last year. There are shooters around him with Malik Beasley, Simone Fontecchio and Tobias Harris. There is some depth on their bench with Marcus Sasser, Isaiah Stewart and Tim Hardaway Jr. Indiana finished at 55-45 last year. The team was eliminated in the Eastern Conference Finals. This team is loaded with shooting talent with a backcourt of Haliburton and Nembhard. Nesmith and Siakam lineup at forward. Bennedict Mathurin returns from injury and is a big piece off the bench.
The Pick:
Indiana played at the second fastest pace in the league last year. They averaged 120.5 points per 100 possessions while surrendering 117.6 per 100. Detroit was a poor defensive team by surrendering 118 points per 100 possessions. The Pistons offense will improve but the defensive improvement will take some time. Play Indiana and Detroit over 234.
Brooklyn Nets vs. Atlanta Hawks NBA Betting Pick Prediction 10/23/2024
Nets at Hawks—Bogdanovic, Sharpe and Watford are out for Brooklyn. Zeller, Barlow, Bufkin and Lundy are out in Atlanta. Brooklyn finished at 32-50 a season ago. The team looks to be in a rebuild mode after moving Mikal Bridges to the Knicks for draft picks. First year head coach Jordy Fernandez. Nic Claxton signed a four-year contract in the offseason. The rest of the pieces could be traded in season for draft picks. Cam Thomas is a scorer who is paired with veteran Dennis Schroder at the guard. Brooklyn has the lowest season win total at 19.5. Atlanta comes off a disappointing 36-47 year. Dejounte Murray exits the team. Now the Hawks look to build again around Trae Young. There is some continuity around him wtih Capela, Jalen Johnson and De’Andre Hunter. There is depth on this Hawks bench Nance Jr. and Bogdan Bogdanovich.
The Pick:
Defense is a concern for the Hawks. They sat 27th in defensive efficiency by allowing 118.4 points per 100 possessions. Atlanta net rating was -2 last year and the Nets were -2.9 as they defended better last year. The Hawks are 10-25 to the spread as a home favorite of -3.5 to -9.5. Play Brooklyn +7.5.
Orlando Magic vs. Miami Heat NBA Betting Pick Prediction 10/23/2024
Magic at Heat—Orlando has a clean injury report. Josh Richardson is out in Miami. Orlando finished at 50-39 last year and were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs to Cleveland as they could not win a road game. There is lots of talent on this Magic team. Kentavious Caldwell Pope comes over in free agency. Paolo Banchero is a scorer who put up 23 points a game last year. He showed up in the playoffs but his teammates did not. Miami won 46 games in the regular season last year. It was an injury riddled season for Jimmy Butler, Adebayo and Herro. They have depth off the bench with Jaquez and Jovic.
The Pick:
The Heat are a good defensive team holding teams to 111.5 points per 100 possessions a season ago sitting fifth in the league. With a healthy Herro and Butler will take the Heat in this opener in a full rest situation. Play Miami -2.
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Philadelphia 76ers NBA Betting Pick Prediction 10/23/2024
Bucks at 76ers—Middleton is out with Giannis probable for Milwaukee. Embiid and George are out for Philadelphia. Milwaukee finished at 51-37 and brought in Doc Rivers in season last year as head coach. He was able to improve the Bucks defensively in his time with the team. Gary Trent was brought in for depth and comes off a good three-point shooting year. Portis and Connaughton come off the bench. Philadelphia finished at 50-39. They made a big free agent signing last year with Paul George signing for four seasons. Tyrese Maxey is a scorer on this roster and returning is Kelly Oubre. Veteran Kyle Lowry and Eric Gordon all depth.
The Pick:
Two of the Big 3 in street clothes for the 76ers. Milwaukee has one of the deepest benches in the league. They were sixth in offensive efficiency last season at 117.6 points per 100 possessions. Play Milwaukee -3.5.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Toronto Raptors NBA Betting Pick Prediction 10/23/2024
Cavaliers at Raptors—Bates and Strus are out for Cleveland. Barrett, Brown, Olynyk and Walter are out for Toronto. Cleveland finished at 53-41 last season and made a change at head coach as Kenny Atkinson takes over. There will be more movement in this offense. This is a strong starting five but injuries it the team hard last year in their starting lineup. Toronto finished at 25-57 last year. They shipped out Siakam and Anunoby. Looks like the team will be built around Scottie Barnes as he is locked up for five seasons. Immanuel Quickley was signed to a deal after coming over in a trade.
The Pick:
Barrett and Olynyk are players needed in the Raptors rotation to be competitive. They will be thin on the bench here. The Cavaliers were seventh in defensive efficiency last year. With a healthy Allen and Mobley they will get the check mark here. Play Cleveland -6.5.
Charlotte Hornets vs. Houston Rockets NBA Betting Pick Prediction 10/23/2024
Hornets at Rockets—Jeffries and Williams are out with Green questionable for Charlotte. Adams is questionable for Houston. Charlotte finished at 21-61 last season. Charles Lee takes over as head coach after stints as an assistant with the Bucks and Celtics championship teams. LaMelo Ball is healthy to start the season. Brandon Miller produced 17 points a game last year. Miles Bridges gave the team 21 points a game last year. Houston finished at 41-41 and finished 11th in the Western Conference after making a late run for a play in spot. Alperen Sengun returns healthy for the team. He averaged 21 points and 9 rebounds last year. Jabari Smith improved his shooting last year and there is some depth coming off the bench. VanVleet, Green and Brooks round up the starting five.
The Pick:
Houston was tenth in defensive efficiency last year by allowing 112.8 points per 100 possessions. Charlotte was 29th in defensive efficiency allowing 119.2 points per 100 possessions with a -10.6 net rating. Charlotte is 14-22 to the spread as a road underdog of +3.5 to +9.5 points. Houston is 15-6 to the spread as a home favorite. Play Houston -7.
Chicago Bulls vs. New Orleans Pelicans NBA Betting Pick Prediction 10/23/2024
Bulls at Pelicans—Chicago has a clean injury report. Murphy is out for New Orleans. Alvarado, Murray and Zion are questionable for New Orleans. Chicago finished at 40-44 on the year. Exiting the team is DeMar DeRozan and Alex Caruso. Josh Giddey comes over. The team will lean heavily on Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic. Coby White returns and Lonzo Ball claims he is healthy enough to contribute. New Orleans finished at 50-38. They brought in Dejounte Murray. Returning are CJ McCollum and Brandon Ingram is in a contract year. Theis will come off the bench.
The Pick:
The Pelicans were sixth in defensive efficiency last year by allowing 111.9 points per 100 possessions. Chicago has the offense prowess to stay within two possessions. Play Chicago +6.5.
Memphis Grizzlies vs. Utah Jazz NBA Betting Pick Prediction 10/23/2024
Grizzlies at Jazz—Jaren Jackson, GG Jackson, Kennard, Spencer and Williams are out for Memphis. Collier and Juzang are out for Utah. Memphis finished at 27-55 last year as the team was decimated with injuries. Ja Morant returns healthy. Marcus Smart and Desmond Bane are back. Zach Edey debuts in the center role in his rookie campaign. Utah finished at 31-51 a year ago. Lauri Markkanen returned after extending with the team. Collin Sexton and Keyonte George are in the guard position. Jordan Clarkson and John Collins give the team depth off the bench.
The Pick:
Memphis injuries are a concern. The Grizzlies are 2-15 to the spread on the road against the Northwest division. Utah 13-4 to the spread at home against the Southwest division. They are 19-6 to the spread as a home underdog of six point or fewer. Play Utah +3.
Phoenix Suns vs. LA Clippers NBA Betting Pick Prediction 10/23/2024
Suns at Clippers—Allen and Lee are probable. Okogie is out for Phoenix. Leonard, Tucker and Bamba are out for LA. Phoenix finished at 49-37 last year. Mike Budenholzer takes over for the departed Frank Vogel. The Suns need to get more shots off from three because that is their strength. The key to the success for the Suns to have Beal, Durant and Booker on the court together. Tyus Jones was added this season. Budenholzer is a defensive minded coach. LA finished at 53-35 last season. Exiting the team are Paul George and Russell Westbrook. After a procedure on his knee, it looks like Leonard will miss multiple games to start the year. The Clippers took to free agency to try and find the scoring lost from George, but the list is not too impressive.
The Pick:
The Suns averaged 116.8 points per 100 possessions last year and enter the season healthy. The defense should be better but will take time as they allowed 114 points per 100 a year ago. Offense is the issue for the Clippers in support of James Harden. But LA defends well with this unit and can keep within this big number. Play LA +5.
Golden St Warriors vs. Portland Trailblazers NBA Betting Pick Prediction 10/23/2024
Warriors at Trailblazers—Curry is probable for the Warriors. Sharpe, Thybulle and Williams are out for Phoenix. Golden St went 46-37 last season. Klay Thompson is now a Dallas Maverick. Chris Paul also exits. Key acquisitions are Buddy Hield, Kyle Anderson and De’Anthony Melton and will add bench depth. Kuminga returns and Wiggins hopes to shoot better. Portland went 21-61 last season. Scoot Henderson had a poor start to the season but closed strongly with effectiveness. Simons joins him in the back court. Avdija and Jerami Grant are at center with Deandre Ayton at center. Bench depth is the question.
The Pick:
Portland was 23rd in defensive efficiency last year allowing 116.6 points per 100 possessions. With better health their offensive efficiency will be better. The Warriors averaged 116.9 points per 100 possessions but defensively surrendered 114.5 points per 100. With the Trailblazers healthy would expect a faster pace of play here and a competitive team. Play Portland +5.5.