It was an action-packed Wednesday across the NBA, but there are only two games today. Both of them are nationally televised on ESPN, and should be thrilling matches. First, a rematch of last year’s NBA Finals as the Indiana Pacers open their season by hosting the Oklahoma City Thunder. Then the Golden State Warriors host the Denver Nuggets for their season-opening match.

There is a legitimate case for any four of these teams winning it all this season. Expect great basketball, and as always, winning bets. The double-unit hammer on Tyrese Maxey was successful as the Philadelphia 76ers put up a franchise record night. 

 

 

 

NBA Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 10/23

Oklahoma City Thunder vs Indiana Pacers Prediction: Thursday, 10/23

Game Time: 7:30 p.m. ET | Location: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis | Odds: Thunder -7.5 | O/U 229.5 

It’s a rematch of the Western and Eastern Conference winners, and emotions will be high. The Oklahoma City Thunder raised their championship banner Tuesday night. A banner they earned by defeating the Indiana Pacers in game seven of the 2025 NBA Finals. A series in which Indiana lost its best player, Tyrese Haliburton, not only for the NBA Finals, but for all of this season.

The Indiana Pacers are battling through roster changes and injuries. Not only is Haliburton out, but so is backup T.J. McConnell, leaving the backcourt extremely thin. However, Andrew Nembhard and Bennedict Mathurin remember the sting of their game seven loss. They are more than capable of carrying Indiana with good defense and explosive offense.

Pascal Siakam is the Eastern Conference Finals MVP and will also carry the load. Most importantly, the Thunder are coming off a double-overtime victory. It would not be surprising for players to be announced inactive prior to tipoff. That will cause the spread to move, but the Pacers are more than capable of covering the spread. They have a valid case to win their season opener at home.

Take the spread on the Pacers, and look for the more rested team to cover the spread.

 

 

 

Denver Nuggets vs Golden State Warriors: Thursday, 10/23

Game Time: 10:00 p.m. ET | TV: ESPN | Location: Chase Center | Odds: Nuggets -1.5  | O/U 232.5

The expression goes, “save the best for last”. The Denver Nuggets are the last team to play an NBA opening game this season. The Golden State Warriors played opening night and made easy work of the Los Angeles Lakers. The Denver Nuggets have historically owned the Golden State Warriors as of late. They have won nine of the last ten games against them, and the expectation is more of the same.

Denver is a well put-together team, with their deepest bench since the 2020 Denver Nuggets. Yes, deeper than the 2023 championship team. Expect a back-and-forth game, but for the Nuggets to play a much more energized fourth quarter. The bench will be tested early and often, and Bruce Brown is a much more improved floor general for a tall second unit.

Put a unit on the Nuggets to cover the spread on their season-opening game.

 

 

 

Best NBA Futures & Prop Bets Today, 10/23

  • Jamal Murray Over 21.5 Points (+100 on FanDuel): 
    Jamal Murray usually plays himself into shape. That is not the case this season. He looks in the best shape he has been in this decade. He’s leaner, his hair is longer, and he has more swagger. 
    Christian Braun will be asked to score more this season, but Murray and Jokic will operate their league-best 1-2 game often. That should lead to 22 or more points for Murray, which is all this best bet needs.
  • Cameron Johnson Over 2.5 Threes (+118 on FanDuel):
    Cameron Johnson makes his Denver Nuggets debut tonight, and the last best bet of the day is on his threes. He will have to take a step back as the third (possibly fourth) scoring option on the starting unit. A new position for him. The good part of that is he can hang behind the arc and let it fly without pressure.
    Johnson will be the least of the opposing team’s concerns, and his three-point percentage will increase due to it. Put a unit on the plus odds prop and look for it to cash before the fourth quarter.

 

 

 

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