NBA Pick: Spurs +4 (-110) at BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)
We’ve got plenty of NBA action on the slate tonight. Here are three bets at the top sportsbooks that I’ll be attacking. Let us know if you’re tailing the picks!
Atlanta Hawks vs. Charlotte Hornets
Wednesday, October 25, 2023 – 7:00 PM EDT at Spectrum Center
A Clash of Inconsistent Scorers
You know the Hornets are in shambles when their No. 2 overall pick, Brandon Miller, is expected to come off the bench.
Miller was supposed to be a huge pick that could push your franchise over the top. Instead, he’s not even going to start.
LaMelo Ball is back. He was injured for most of last year. But this team still consists of a lot of inconsistent scorers. There will be games where P.J. Washington goes off. Other days, it’ll be Terry Rozier. Sometimes, you might get 20+ from Gordon Hayward. However, this team isn’t built to dominate.
They’ll take on a Hawks team that has more potential. The Hawks no longer have John Collins. However, Saddiq Bey is turning into a star. If Bey were on the Hornets, he’d probably be their leading scorer. If not, he’d be second to Ball.
Trae Young will be more consistent from downtown, and Dejounte Murray will have a better season than last year. Atlanta is more balanced and will have solid shooters like Bogdan Bogdanovic and Patty Mills off the bench. They might even get some quality play from A.J. Griffin at the three-spot.
The Pick
Charlotte will be one of the worst teams in the NBA this year. Look for the Hawks to earn a win in the first game of the season.
NBA Pick: Hawks -3.5 (-110) at BetOnline
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Chicago Bulls
Wednesday, October 25, 2023 – 8:00 PM EDT at United Center
The Pressure to Start Strong
Many reports stated that the Bulls are on their final rope. Chicago likely needs to begin the season strong, or the whole team will be traded away and ripped apart.
It doesn’t sound like the Bulls’ front office has any faith that DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine can take the Bulls to new heights.
While the Bulls have nowhere to hide, the Thunder are coming off one of its best seasons in a long time last year.
The Thunder made the NBA Play-In Tournament without its No. 1 draft pick, Chet Holmgren. Holmgren was injured in preseason and never played a regular season game for the Thunder last year. Yet, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander held it down and helped the Thunder reach new heights.
Now they’ve got Holmgren back in the mix. The lineup is super young and talented and should develop even more with Holmgren on the roster.
The Pick
Even on the road, the Thunder will be a tough out each night. The Bulls should have done something to improve their team from a year ago. Therefore, I’ll take the Thunder -1 at -110 betting odds.
NBA Pick: Thunder -1 (-110) at BetOnline
Dallas Mavericks vs. San Antonio Spurs
Wednesday, October 25, 2023 – 9:30 PM EDT at Frost Bank Center
Rookie Showdown: Lively II vs. Wembanyama
The Dallas Mavericks didn’t even make the playoffs, with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving paired up in the second half. Doesn’t that concern anyone? Things were so bad, yet, the Mavericks decided to retain Irving and keep him paired up with Doncic for this season and beyond.
There’s a lot of optimism surrounding the Mavericks. But let’s just stick to reality. This team wasn’t confident enough with Irving and Doncic that they tanked their way into a top-ten pick in the NBA Draft. That’s concerning.
Dallas is also listing Luka Doncic as questionable with an injury. He’s got a calf strain and a thigh injury that could keep him out of the game tonight. Even if he plays, Doncic could be limited.
Outside of retaining Irving, the Mavericks brought in Grant Williams to be their X-factor. That’s not very appealing. Derrick Jones Jr. will also likely start ahead of Josh Green and Tim Hardaway Jr. Meanwhile, rookie center Dereck Lively II probably needs more polish before he starts to produce at a high level.
Lively II will have to face Victor Wembanyama in his first game in the NBA. I know Wembanyama is also a rookie, but he’s a bit more polished and skilled.
The Pick
The Spurs don’t have a legitimate point guard. They’ll roll with Jeremy Sochan at that point. So they’re massive as a lineup and should dominate defensively. Devin Vassell is also a highly regarded scorer who has only developed from a year ago. Therefore, I’ll back the Spurs at +4.
NBA Pick: Spurs +4 (-110) at BetOnline
*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.
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