Friday was a tough night. Trae Young delivered with 22 points and 12 assists, but Tyrese Haliburton finished with just seven assists in a loss to Dallas, Anthony Davis was held to nine points by Toronto, and Yves Missi left early with a knee injury. All three of our sides came up short as well, including the Pelicans losing in Utah by a single point. Saturday's slate is loaded with back-to-backs, and that's where we're looking for value with our NBA best bets.
NBA Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 10/24
Our NBA best bets for Saturday are the Wizards +1.5 in Chicago and the Rockets +1.5 in Atlanta. On the prop side, we're featuring Zion Williamson Over 19.5 points and Aaron Wiggins Over 11.5 points, with more player props listed below.
Both of our sides are in games where each team is playing the second night of a back-to-back, so check the final injury reports and shop around before you bet.
Wizards vs. Bulls Prediction: Saturday, 10/24
- Pick: Wizards +1.5
This line has bounced between Washington and Chicago as the favorite, and at +1.5 we'll gladly take the points with the better roster. Washington opened the season with a 128-116 win over Milwaukee, and Trae Young has posted double-doubles in both games.
Friday's loss to Toronto was a bad shooting night more than anything, as Anthony Davis went just 3-of-12 after scoring 34 in the opener. Chicago, meanwhile, was blown out by 43 in Toronto before rallying past Milwaukee on Friday.
Both teams are on the second night of a back-to-back, and the total sits around 244 with two of the league's weaker defenses on the floor. We trust Young and a bounce-back game from Davis more than anything Chicago brings. Wizards +1.5 is our first of Saturday's NBA best bets.
Rockets vs. Hawks Prediction: Saturday, 10/24
- Pick: Rockets +1.5
Houston is 2-0 after beating San Antonio 114-110 on Friday behind 29 points from Alperen Sengun. Even on the second night of a back-to-back and without Fred VanVleet, who isn't playing back-to-backs early this season, the Rockets still have Kevin Durant and Sengun to lean on.
Atlanta is also 2-0, but Friday's 128-81 rout of Charlotte didn't tell us much, and the Hawks are on a back-to-back too. Sengun should have room to work against Atlanta's frontcourt, and Durant has the size to shoot over smaller defenders.
With a total around 230.5 and the Hawks favored by just 1.5, we'll take the more proven team getting points. Rockets +1.5 rounds out the sides among our NBA best bets.
Best NBA Prop Bets & Other Picks Today, 10/24
Zion Williamson Over 19.5 Points: Williamson scored 22 and 23 points in New Orleans' first two games, and he averaged 21.0 points on 60.0% shooting in 62 games last season. Denver ranked 21st in defensive rating last year, and with Yves Missi day-to-day, the Pelicans may need Williamson in the paint even more.
The Nuggets are 11.5-point favorites, so the blowout risk is real, but Williamson has cleared this number in both games without needing heavy minutes.
Aaron Wiggins Over 11.5 Points: Wiggins has been one of Atlanta's best offseason additions, scoring 16 points in the opener and 19 on 7-of-9 shooting Friday. He's made three threes in each game and logged 32 minutes in the opener.
He averaged 9.4 points in 21.8 minutes last season in Oklahoma City's crowded rotation. In Atlanta, he has a much clearer role, and a close game against Houston should keep him on the floor.
More player props we like on Saturday's slate:
- Trae Young Over 0.5 Double-Doubles: Young has recorded a double-double in both games this season, and he gets a Bulls defense in a game with a total around 244.
- Jaime Jaquez. Over 13.5 Points: Jaquez scored 22 and 19 in his first two games with Milwaukee after averaging 15.4 points last season in Miami.
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Then check back with Fantasy Alarm every day for new NBA best bets, picks and predictions all season long.