After a full Wednesday slate, the NBA schedule slows down to a two-game ESPN doubleheader Thursday. Our NBA best bets for the night include the 76ers in their home opener against Cleveland, plus four player props built on volume, opportunity, and matchups.

NBA Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 10/22

Our NBA best bets for Thursday start with the 76ers -2.5 at home against the Cavaliers. On the prop side, we're taking Tyrese Maxey Over 22.5 points in that game and Jared McCain Over 9.5 points when the Thunder host Denver, with Isaiah Hartenstein Under 8.5 rebounds and Jaylen Brown Over 5.5 rebounds as other props.

Early-season lines move quickly as injury news comes in, and Cleveland's frontcourt status is still up in the air, so shop around before you bet. Here's our full breakdown of each pick.

 

 

 

Cavaliers vs. 76ers Prediction: Thursday, 10/22

Pick: 76ers -2.5

Philadelphia looks nothing like the team Cleveland swept last season. The 76ers added LeBron James and Jaylen Brown to a core of Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid, and the new group won its debut 106-100 at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday. They did it while shooting just 27.5% from three, and the defense held the Knicks to 37% from the field.

Cleveland is a good team, but it starts the season shorthanded up front. Jarrett Allen is questionable with a knee issue, and Nae'Qwan Tomlin and Khalifa Diop are both out. If Allen can't go, Evan Mobley could slide to center, which is a tough assignment against Embiid after he posted 11 rebounds and three blocks in the opener. The Cavaliers are also playing their first game of the season, while Philadelphia already has a regular-season game under its belt.

We know the history. Cleveland won all four meetings last season by 11, 26, 2, and 14 points, and it finished seven games ahead of Philadelphia at 52-30. Donovan Mitchell and James Harden still give the Cavaliers plenty of firepower, but this 76ers roster is built very differently, and Embiid isn't on the injury report. At home and laying less than a field goal, the 76ers -2.5 is our top side Thursday.

Best NBA Prop Bets & Other Picks Today, 10/22

Tyrese Maxey Over 22.5 Points

Maxey averaged 28.3 points last season and scored 23 or more in 52 of his 70 games. He picked up right where he left off on Tuesday, leading Philadelphia with 28 points on 19 shots and getting to the line nine times.

Adding James and Brown hasn't cut into his volume, since Maxey still took four more shots than anyone else on the team. We like the 76ers to cover, and this prop fits the same script. Cleveland's thin frontcourt gives him room to attack the rim, and he scored 27 and 22 points in two of his three games against the Cavaliers last season.

Jared McCain Over 9.5 Points

McCain scored 20 points off the bench in the Thunder's opener, hitting six of his eight three-point attempts in 22 minutes. With Lu Dort, Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins gone, there are more minutes and shots available on the wing, and he's already shown he can make the most of them.

He also has a strong history against Denver, scoring 14, 13 and 15 points in three games against the Nuggets after Philadelphia traded him to Oklahoma City in February. The Thunder are favored by more than seven points at home, and the Nuggets ranked 21st in defensive rating last season. If this one gets out of hand, McCain should see plenty of fourth-quarter run.

Other Props:

  • Isaiah Hartenstein Under 8.5 Rebounds: Hartenstein played just 17 minutes in the opener after picking up five fouls, and rookie Aday Mara took some of his minutes. He finished with eight or fewer rebounds in 24 of 47 games last season, and Nikola Jokic averaged 12.7 boards against OKC.
  • Jaylen Brown Over 5.5 Rebounds: Brown averaged 6.9 rebounds for Boston last season and grabbed eight in his 76ers debut. Cleveland is without Nae'Qwan Tomlin and Khalifa Diop, and Jarrett Allen is questionable, which leaves a thinner frontcourt to compete with on the glass.

 

 

 

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