Free NBA Picks For Today, Thursday 10/24/2024
Boston Celtics vs. Washington Wizards NBA Betting Pick Prediction 10/24/2024
Celtics at Wizards—Porzingis is out for Boston with Hauser questionable. Bey and Brogdon are out for Washington. Boston jumps out to 1-0 following their 132-109 home victory to New York. The Celtics shot 51% with 48% from three. They allowed 56% shooting to NY with 38% from three. Jayson Tatum got 37 points with ten rebounds. Derrick White contributed 24 points and four assists. Washington finished at 15-67 last year. Brian Keefe was an interim coach midway last season and returns as head coach this season. The team had three first round picks and added Jonas Valanciunas to the mix. Jordan Poole and Kyle Kuzma remain on the roster. Much is expected from second year player Alex Sarr. Corey Kispert is a three-point shooter off the bench.
The Pick:
Washington sat third worst in defensive efficiency last year by allowing 118.9 points per 100 possessions with a -8.7 net rating. Boston averaged 122.2 points per 100 possessions last year and finished with a +11.7 net rating. Washington is young and the defensive improvement will be a huge question mark here. The Celtics have continuity. Play Boston -13.5.
San Antonio Spurs vs. Dallas Mavericks NBA Betting Pick Prediction 10/24/2024
Spurs at Mavericks—Vassell is out for San Antonio with Exum out for Dallas. San Antonio finished at 22-60 last year. The good news is Wembanyama was as good as advertised. Their season win total of 36.5 so bettors expect vast improvement from his supporting cast. The Spurs added veterans Chris Paul and Harrison Barnes. Returning are Keldon Johnson, Jeremy Sochan and Julian Champagnie. They picked up rookie Stephon Castle who can defend. Dallas finished at 63-41 making it to the NBA Finals but losing to Boston in five games. A big acquisition was Klay Thompson in the offseason. Most of their rotational players are back. Spencer Dinwiddie will fill a bench role but had one of his worst seasons as a pro with the Nets and Lakers. Naji Marshall and Derek Lively will too come off the bench.
The Pick:
Post All Star Break the Spurs allowed 111.8 points per 100 possessions with a -1.9 net rating. The Mavericks in this period allowed 112.1 points per 100 possessions with a +3.7 net rating. The Spurs were 22-19 to the spread on the road last season. Dallas was 9-11 to the spread as a home favorite of -3.5 to -9. Play San Antonio +8.5.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Denver Nuggets NBA Betting Pick Prediction 10/24/2024
Thunder at Nuggets—Hartenstein, Topic, Kenrich Williams and Jaylin Williams are out for OKC. Denver has a clean injury report. OKC finished at 63-29 last year and were eliminated in the conference semis. Isiaih Hartenstein was acquired to help lift the Thunder from their 28th ranking in rebounding. Alex Caruso was also acquired with Josh Giddey exiting. OKC has the highest win total in the Western Conference at 56.5. SGA, Dort and Holmgren remain in starting roles. Carson Wallace and Isaiah Joe are expected to see major minutes off the bench. Denver went 64-30 last year and were eliminated in the Western conference semis. Exiting is Kentavious Caldwell Pope with Christian Braun now moving to the starting lineup. Russell Westbrook was brought in and will have a bench role. Julian Strawther and Dario Saric will get significant bench minutes.
The Pick:
OKC won both meetings in Denver last season. One victory was by one point. Post All Star Break the Nuggets won 21 of 27 with a +9.8 net rating which was better than the Thunder. Hartenstein injury key here. Play Denver -2.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Sacramento Kings NBA Betting Pick Prediction 10/24/2024
Timberwolves at Kings—Minnesota has a clean injury report. Carter and Robinson are out for Sacramento. Minnesota fell to 0-1 following their 110-103 road defeat to LA Lakers. The Timberwolves shot 41% with 32% from three. Anthony Edwards scored 27 points with six rebounds. Julious Randle chipped in with 16 points and nine rebounds. Minnesota held LA to 44% shooting with 17% from three. Sacramento finished at 47-37 a season ago as they were eliminated in the play in round. They picked up veteran DeMar DeRozan in the offseason.
The Pick:
Kevin Hueter joins Fox in the backcourt. First round pick in 2022 Keegan Murray join Sabonis in the starting lineup. Malik Monk still leads the Kings off the bench with Keon Ellis and Trey Lyles expecting double digit minutes. They split their four meetings last year. Post All Star Break the Kings were 9th in defensive efficiency by allowing 110.9 points per 100 possessions with a +4.4 net rating. Sacramento was 5-1 to the spread as a home underdog last season. The Timberwolves made drastic changes and shot poorly in their opener. Play Sacramento +1.5.