There are 12 games in the NBA today, and most teams begin their 2025-26 season. Games from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and the Midwest to the Southwest. It’s the season opener across the country, and 24 teams look to start with a win. 

Fantasy Alarm NBA Best Bets looks to build on the success of yesterday and keep the momentum rolling. There are two nationally televised games on ESPN tonight, and a bet from each one of those games. The Bet of the Night is found in two teams that were cellar dwellers last year. 

 

 

 

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

Brooklyn Nets vs Charlotte Hornets Prediction: Wednesday, 10/22

Game Time: 7:00 p.m. ET | Location: Spectrum Center, Charlotte | Odds: Hornets -5.5 | O/U 228.5 

Two of the worst teams in the Association begin the season playing against each other. Thus ensuring that one of them will be tied for first at some point in the season. In all seriousness, both teams made moves, the Brooklyn Nets more than the Charlotte Hornets. The plan being that the franchise will earn more wins, and possibly a playoff spot (+4800). Anything is possible in the most wide-open Eastern Conference in over 45 years.

Michael Porter joins a new team in Brooklyn, and this will be his breakout season. Free from the 1-2 game between Jamal Murray/Nikola Jokic, Porter will be asked to be the best player on the team. One of the most underrated aspects of his game is his rebounding. Not that people should be surprised that a 7-foot forward can rebound.

Porter Jr. has 2,719 career rebounds while playing alongside Nikola Jokic. With all respect to Nic Claxton, he is not the rebounder that Jokic is. Porter will get 7 or more rebounds on opening night. There will be missed shots on both ends and Porter Jr will use his size and advantage to earn seven or more rebounds. Possibly enough for a double-double.

Trust MPJ and his breakout season, put a unit on him to cover his rebounding prop on Bet365, and for new customers, make sure to take advantage of Fantasy Alarm’s offer.

 

 

 

Cleveland Cavaliers vs New York Knicks Prediction: Wednesday, 10/22

Game Time: 7:00 p.m. ET | TV: ESPN | Location: Madison Square Garden, New York City | Odds: Knicks -2.5  | O/U 228.5

The Knicks host the Cavaliers in a marquee Eastern Conference opener at Madison Square Garden (7:00 p.m. ET, ESPN). New York enters as a -2.5 favorite (O/U 228.5), riding high after offseason additions like Mikal Bridges bolstering their wing defense. Cleveland, fresh off a 64-win campaign, boasts Donovan Mitchell's scoring punch but faces a Knicks squad that ranked No. 2 in defensive rating last season.

The New York Knicks are going to be a much different team than they were last season. For some reason, not many people are expecting it. A new head coach changes almost everything about how a team operates. Mike Brown is not an exception to the rule, especially since the only reason the previous coach was released was his communication to his players.

Donovan Mitchell played games at the famous Rucker Park as a youth and has an affinity for New York. Participating in an opening game at Madison Square Garden is second only to a playoff game at the Mecca of basketball. His three points made line is set at 3.5, and the over seems in play. As does an upset for Cleveland. The Cavaliers essentially have the same team as last season, except Mitchell will be shouldering the load with Darius Garland out.

Mitchell is going to put up a great performance. He is one of the best regular season players of the past decade. Put a half a unit on the Cavaliers to win and Mitchell to make 4 or more threes.

 

 

 

Best NBA Futures & Prop Bets Today, 10/22

  • Tyrese Maxey Over 2.5 Threes Made (-156 on DraftKings) 2.0 U: 
    Easily the safest bet of the night, but it comes with juice. Maxey made three of eight attempts in the preseason match against the Timberwolves. He made 161 threes last season and is a scoring machine. No reason to panic, put two units on the wager, preferably on different books to bolster the bankroll. 
  • Victor Wembanyama 12+ Rebounds (+118 on FanDuel):
    It's a Lone Star state showdown between the Dallas Mavericks and the San Antonio Spurs. This rivalry starts with a season opener, and the expectation is to unleash Victor Wembanyama. His rebounding line is set at 10.5, but has been teased up one for much better odds. Trust the Spurs center to earn 12 boards to begin the season.
  • Parlay Pick: Detroit Pistons & Los Angeles Clippers Moneyline. -108 on FanDuel.

 

 

 

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Bet Smart, Be Lucky - Iggy G. -
*All bets placed at 1 unit unless specified otherwise. 
 

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