Thursday's three-game NBA slate features Cavaliers vs. Hawks and Kings vs. Pelicans at 8 p.m. ET, followed by a matchup of unbeatens in Grizzlies vs. Trail Blazers at 10 p.m., and our NBA best bets include a side, a game total, and a full card of player props.

The storylines are strong for a light night. Ja Morant faces Memphis for the first time since the trade, two winless teams meet in New Orleans, and Domantas Sabonis is putting up historic rebounding numbers. We're targeting the matchups where those storylines create value in our NBA picks today. New to Rebet Sportsbook? You can grab $100 in bonus bets when you sign up and put it to work on tonight's NBA predictions.

NBA Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 10/29

Our NBA best bets for Thursday are the Hawks -1.5 against Cleveland and Kings vs. Pelicans Over 232.5. On the prop side, we're featuring Domantas Sabonis Over 31.5 points plus rebounds and Zach LaVine Over 22.5 points, with more player props listed below.

Lines are moving on a short slate, so check the final injury reports and shop around before you bet. Here's our full breakdown of today's NBA best bets.

 

 

 

Cavaliers vs. Hawks Prediction: Thursday, 10/29

Pick: Hawks -1.5

This is one of the tightest lines on the board, with the moneyline sitting close to a coin flip. Atlanta is 2-3 and still looking for its first home win, but the Hawks have the most versatile player on the floor in Jalen Johnson, who is averaging 21.5 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists.

Cleveland is 3-1 but 0-1 on the road, and Atlanta's depth gives it an edge in a close game. The efficiency numbers back Atlanta, too. According to ESPN's Hollinger team stats, the Hawks score 113.3 points per 100 possessions and allow 106.3, a net rating of plus-7.0, while Cleveland sits at 108.1 on offense and 106.8 on defense. Both teams play fast, with paces of 106.0 for Atlanta and 107.7 for Cleveland. Aaron Wiggins has been one of the league's most productive bench scorers, and Johnson's ability to push the pace should challenge a Cavaliers team coming in fresh.

The risk is fatigue, since Atlanta played at home on Wednesday. But at only 1.5 points, we'll back Johnson and the Hawks to finally protect their home floor. Hawks -1.5 is our first of Thursday's NBA best bets.

Kings vs. Pelicans Prediction: Thursday, 10/29

Pick: Over 232.5

Two 0-4 teams meet in New Orleans, and neither has shown it can get stops. The advanced numbers tell the same story. Sacramento allows 119.7 points per 100 possessions, second-worst in the league, and New Orleans allows 118.7, fourth-worst. The Pelicans also play at a 104.8 pace, while the Kings are slower at 90.6, so the defense, not the tempo, is what drives this Over. Sacramento has allowed 121, 128, 123, and 130 points in its four losses, an average of 125.5 per game, and the Pelicans' first two losses produced 243 and 239 combined points.

Both offenses have enough firepower to push this number. Zach LaVine is averaging 27.3 points for the Kings, Domantas Sabonis is putting up 19.0 points and 16.5 rebounds, and the Pelicans counter with Dejounte Murray at 20.3 points per game and Zion Williamson.

The market total has climbed to 236.5 or higher at most books, so 232.5 gives us several points of cushion. Over 232.5 rounds out our game picks among today's NBA best bets.

 

 

 

Best NBA Prop Bets & Other Picks Today, 10/29

Domantas Sabonis Over 31.5 Points + Rebounds

Sabonis is averaging 19.0 points and a league-leading 16.5 rebounds, and he's posted 32, 46, 30, and 34 points plus rebounds in four games. His 52 rebounds through three games set a post-merger NBA record.

He's played at least 34 minutes every night, and he's averaged 16.0 points and 11.2 rebounds in 24 career games against New Orleans.

Zach LaVine Over 22.5 Points

LaVine is averaging 27.3 points per game on 52.2% shooting, with games of 28, 22, 37 and 22 points, including 37 against Memphis on Sunday.

He gets a winless Pelicans defense in a game with a total around 237, and Sacramento needs his scoring to have a chance.

More player props we like on Thursday's slate:

  • Ja Morant Over 18.5 Points: Morant scored 23 on 9-of-13 shooting Tuesday, his minutes have climbed in every game, and he faces Memphis for the first time since the trade.
  • Cedric Coward Over 5.5 Rebounds: Coward has grabbed 7, 11, and 11 rebounds in his three games, clearing this line every time.

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Download the Rebet app or visit the site, create your account, and complete your sign-up. New Orleans ranks fourth-worst in defensive efficiency, allowing 118.7 points per 100 possessions. Your $100 in bonus bets will be added to your account, ready to use on the Hawks, Kings vs. Pelicans, our player props, or anything else on Thursday's slate.

Then check back with Fantasy Alarm every day for new NBA best bets, picks, and predictions all season long.