NBA Best Bets for October 23: Can the Young Magic Topple the Heat’s Veteran Squad?
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Spread Astaire
- October 23, 2024
Top NBA Pick: Orlando Magic +2 (-108) at Bookmaker (visit our Bookmaker Review)
Wednesday night brings us an exciting 10-game NBA slate as 20 teams tip off their season openers. The first game of the season is always filled with hope for fans and franchises alike. Let’s break down this massive slate and uncover some winning NBA picks.
As we dive into the action, we’ll also examine the latest NBA odds from top sportsbooks to help you find the best value on your bets. And if you’re looking for more value picks, make sure to take a look at our YouTube channel. Our expert has covered the Bucks vs. 76ers and Suns vs. Clippers matchups.
Orlando Magic vs. Miami Heat
Wednesday, October 23, 2024 – 07:30 PM ET at Kaseya Center
Florida Showdown
Two teams headed in opposite directions take the floor in this Florida showdown. The Miami Heat is an older team that looks to have its best years behind them.
Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler has been missing more and more games, and his team is no longer the threat they once were to win a championship. Also, the Heat have potentially overpaid one way players such as Tyler Herro and Duncan Robinson.
While both players are great shooters, their lack of defensive ability makes it harder for the Heat to use their identity as a defense first organization. I will not be surprised if this is the last year of the current iteration of the Heat team, as Heat general manager Pat Riley seems to be growing tired of Jimmy Butler’s antics.
The Orlando Magic have struggled to be relevant for a while, but they are rebuilding their team right. Based around Paolo Banchero, the Magic have got better year by year building around a core of young players.
Takeaway
This year they made a push to be a significant playoff team with the addition of veteran guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. The mixture of youthful talent and veteran acumen makes the Magic a formidable team this year.
I like the younger team to get the win here in this opening night battle. While the Heat are a great franchise, they currently are in need of a reset. Young up-and-coming teams like the Magic will press the issue when they show to the world that they are better. Take the Orlando Magic +2.
NBA Pick: Orlando Magic +2 (-108) at Bookmaker
Phoenix Suns vs. L.A. Clippers
Wednesday, October 23, 2024 – 10:00 PM ET at Intuit Dome
New Arena, Same Old Problems
The Los Angeles Clippers will be opening up a new arena, the Intuit Dome, in Los Angeles tonight. However, the Phoenix Suns will spoil their celebration.
The Los Angeles Clippers made a huge mistake when they signed Kawhi Leonard. Their signing of Leonard was fine on its face, but his insistence that they trade for Paul George while trading away Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and a bunch of draft picks has hamstrung this organization’s championship hopes. Paul George now plays for the Philadelphia 76ers while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is mounting an MVP campaign for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Well, at least Kawhi can lead the Clippers to victory tonight, right? No, once again Kawhi Leonard is out with an injury. The illusion that Kawhi Leonard will ever be able to contribute to a championship-level team keeps the Clippers from doing what they need to do and rebuilding this team properly.
Can Harden Keep Up?
The Clippers will now be led by another aging veteran, James Harden, whose best days are behind him. The Clippers will make a solid effort at the defensive end but one has to wonder with the defensive hole that is Harden, will the Clippers be able to fully commit to this identity of a defensive first team?
While I do have some criticisms of the way the Phoenix Suns built their team as well, at least they will have their top players on the floor tonight. Kevin Durant is still one of the best players in the NBA, and Devin Booker is arguably the best pure scorer of basketball in the game right now. The Suns’ offensive firepower will be too much for even the Clippers defense to overcome.
The Pick
The Suns will simply outscore the Clippers tonight. Although the Clippers are a better defensive team, the offense is poor and that will be on display tonight. The Clippers are getting older, and going against the Suns it will be tough for them to match the offensive outbursts that Phoenix is capable of.
The Suns have a new coach in Mike Budenholzer and he will make the offense more fluid. An already potent team has a chance to be the best offense in the NBA.
This is a tough situation for the Clippers. They will not be able to celebrate the opening of their new awesome arena, unfortunately. Their first game will end in a loss. Take the Phoenix Suns -4.5.
NBA Pick: Phoenix Suns -4.5 (-108) at Bookmaker
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.
