The NBA season is set to get underway tonight with a two-game doubleheader on NBC, and we are about to roll with some basketball predictions.
Heading into the season, there are many injuries to monitor and discuss. Fred VanVleet of the Rockets is already done for the year. Meanwhile, Oklahoma City’s Jalen Williams will not be available to begin the season.
LeBron James is also expected to miss tonight’s game and many more before he’ll be able to return. It’s just the nature of the beast.
That said, the games should still be fun. I’ve added the best NBA picks today below.
Injuries Won’t Stop The Fun!
It’s the first night of the NBA regular season. There are new rotations, new players, new coaches, and plenty of injuries.
As we get more data and more games played, it’ll help us break down each game better. For now, we’ve got to take educated guesses and use last year’s stats to help us make our bets.
Sometimes the early portion of the season is actually better. After all, the sportsbooks are also guessing based on reports and news.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Houston Rockets (-7.5)
The Houston Rockets won’t have Fred VanVleet or Dorian Finney-Smith available. Still, this is one of the biggest lineups you’ll see this season. They’re super tall, physical, and should be great defensively.
The Rockets surprised some folks last season. However, this year’s team, with Kevin Durant at the helm, should be even better.
Tonight, they are going up against last year’s champions. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will look to repeat as the MVP with the Thunder this season. Still, he’ll have to begin the season without his partner in crime, Jalen Williams. Williams is out with an injury, forcing the Thunder to play a lot smaller than Houston.
The Rockets should dominate defensively and on the glass. Houston also has scoring ability with Durant and Sengun. Thompson and Smith are also only going to get better this season.
Therefore, give me the Rockets at +7.5 on the road.
Expert Pick: Rockets +7.5 (-110) at Caesars Sportsbook
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Golden State Warriors (+2.5)
LeBron James will be out for a little bit. That’ll force Luka Doncic to run the show, which is exactly what they’re looking for out of their new prized possession.
Last year, the Lakers lacked size and consistency at the center position and brought in DeAndre Ayton. He should fit well, especially when playing with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. However, it’s hard to imagine the Lakers will play consistently well.
On the flip side, the Warriors also tried to fix their issues at center. Al Horford will now start for them at center. He’ll be better on the glass, but the Warriors might still not be elite on the boards.
A full season of Jimmy Butler should be fun, and if Steph Curry and Draymond Green can stay on the court, they’ve got a real chance to make some noise this season. The Warriors will likely be more mentally prepared for Game 1 of the season. I’ll roll with Golden State at -2.5.
Expert Pick: Warriors -2.5 (-105) at BetMGM
Bet The NBA All Season Long!
It looks like our NBA picks today will be taking the road teams against the spread. Unfortunately, with so many injuries, it’s hard to fully know rotations and shot volume for each team and its players. But as the season drags on, we’ll be better prepared to make other NBA picks.
That said, if you’re looking to have a profitable season betting on the NBA, make sure you’re consistent. Keep the same units, bet responsibly, and attack the board when you see fit. If you agree with the first two wagers of the season, consider joining a new sportsbook and take advantage of these bets.
The odds might not last, so get in while you can!
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*The line and/or odds referenced in this article might have changed since the content was published. For the latest information on line movements, visit OddsTrader’s free betting odds tool.
