NBA Preseason Odds, Picks & Predictions: Friday (10/18)
The 2024-25 NBA regular season is nearly here. What better way to get ready for the NBA regular season than to start your sports betting during the NBA preseason? That’s right, you can bet on the NBA preseason! Sure, there will be more opportunities to bet on the NBA regular season, but check out the new names and faces of the 2024-25 NBA season and help keep things interesting by placing some bets on the NBA preseason. We’ll guide you through the NBA preseason with picks and predictions for each and every game. Let’s dive into our top NBA preseason picks and predictions for today’s games!
NBA Preseason Odds, Picks & Predictions
Check out our top NBA preseason picks and predictions for today’s games.
Knicks vs. Wizards
The New York Knicks are a real threat to win the NBA Championship this season. Even with the entire starting lineup out against the Hornets, the Knicks still earned a win behind Miles McBride and Precious Achiuwa. This is the deepest Knicks team we've seen in ages. That said, it looks like the real starting lineup will play one final tune-up before the regular season. On the other hand, the Wizards might be the worst team in the NBA. Kyle Kuzma looks horrific, and the bench is nothing special. Look for the Knicks to earn a massive win before the regular season.
Pick: Knicks -12.5 (-115)
-Jason Radowitz
76ers vs. Magic
The 76ers won't have Joel Embiid or Paul George. It's also unlikely that Jared McCain will play, and we might not see Kyle Lowry. That's ultimately why the Magic are -7.5 favorites heading into tonight's game. However, even without those starters, the 76ers poured it on against the Nets and earned a 117-95 win at home. Kelly Oubre Jr. and K.J. Martin should still shine. After all, the Magic are 0-2 in preseason play and really didn't look good against the Spurs last time out. I'll ride the 76ers at +7.5 (-115), even while knowing their top players are out.
Pick: 76ers +7.5 (-115)
-Jason Radowitz
Raptors vs. Nets
The Toronto Raptors shocked some with a 119-118 win at home against the Celtics. Scottie Barnes came close to a triple-double in 30 minutes, and Gradey Dick scored 27 points in just 32 minutes of game action. Ultimately, the Raptors don't have much depth. But the starting lineup is coming together. On the other hand, the Nets lost to the 76ers, 117-65, despite the 76ers not having many of their starters and key players. Brooklyn likely won't play with Ben Simmons or Nic Claxton tonight. We also might not see Bojan Bogdanovic, Trendon Watford, or Killian Hayes. I'll take the Raptors at -1.5 (-120).
Pick: Raptors -1.5 (-120)
-Jason Radowitz
Heat vs. Grizzlies
The Miami Heat will travel to Memphis to take on the Grizzlies. This will be Miami’s third game in four days. In a regular season game, you could expect a lot of stars to sit. In a preseason game right before the season starts, it’s a certainty. For Memphis, their last game saw them beat an Indiana team that was playing many of their starters. Even without Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson, they got out to a huge lead and held on for the victory. That speaks to the depth of this Grizzlies roster and that should show in this game. Rookie big man Zach Edey has picked up where he left off in the Summer League, scoring 23 and grabbing 9 rebounds in that win over Indiana. Him coming off the bench for Memphis will be a big X-factor this season. On the backs of Edey and others, Memphis should roll through this game into a big bounce-back season.
Pick:
-Ryan Rodeman
Cavaliers vs. Bulls
The Cavaliers have really struggled during the preseason. They're 0-3, including a loss against the Bulls earlier in the year. That said, Cleveland played its starters for around 25 minutes against the Pistons and still lost 108-92. The Cavaliers’ depth lacks. Not a single player scored double figures, and no player hit more than two shots despite eight players getting 10+ minutes. Meanwhile, we saw Lonzo Ball play for the first time in two years with the Bulls. He scored ten points in 15 minutes off the bench. Talen Horton-Tucker also contributed 17 points in 25 minutes against the Timberwolves. The defense didn't look too great against Minnesota, but it's very likely the Bulls will outscore a weak Cavaliers offense. I'm on the Bulls at +3.5 (-120).
Pick: Bulls +3.5 (-120)
-Jason Radowitz
Jazz vs. Trail Blazers
The Utah Jazz are 4-1 in preseason play after earning their latest victory against the Sacramento Kings, 117-114. The Jazz's rotations are intentional. While most teams are still throwing out 15+ players, the Jazz most recently used a ten-man rotation where each player got 16+ minutes of game action. On the other hand, the Portland Trail Blazers failed to put away an international squad from the Bundesliga. The Blazers only won that game by 11, which shows that the Blazers aren't very improved heading into this season. I'll back the Jazz at -3.5 (-105).
Pick: Jazz -3.5 (-105)
-Jason Radowitz
Lakers vs. Warriors
The Lakers and Warriors will square off in the final game of the NBA preseason. These two played on Tuesday and the Warriors won the game 111-97. Both teams’ starters played a decent amount in this game and it wasn’t very successful for Los Angeles. The Lakers shot just 35.8% from the floor while giving up 45.8% shooting to a deep Warriors squad. That depth from Golden State is the reason they’re 5-0 in the preseason. Even games where Steph Curry, Draymond Green and company sat the Warriors were able to get wins like last Sunday against Detroit. It’s clear the Lakers are more interested in keeping their stars healthy headed into the regular season. It wouldn’t shock me if their starters get little to no playing time in this one. That gives the Warriors an even bigger edge and makes them the clear play in this preseason finale.
Pick: Warriors ML
-Ryan Rodeman