NBA Preseason Odds, Picks & Predictions: Friday (10/4)
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 Friday’s games!
NBA Preseason Odds, Picks & Predictions: Friday
Check out our top NBA preseason picks and predictions for Friday’s games.
Celtics vs. Nuggets
The Boston Celtics will face the Denver Nuggets in the first preseason game of the year in Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. It looks like we'll actually get to see some of the stars play in this one. The Celtics will likely run it back with Derrick White, Jrue Holiday, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, and Al Horford. Unfortunately, Kristaps Porzingis is still out with an ankle injury. But other than that, the Celtics look good. On the other hand, the Nuggets will likely roll out with a lineup of Jamal Murray, Christian Braun, Michael Porter Jr., Aaron Gordon, and Nikola Jokic. We won't see DaRon Holmes II this season, and Peyton Weston and Jalen Picket will likely not be available until the regular season begins. That said, the Celtics have always been the deeper team. They've also got more depth to close this game out. Remember, this game is on NBA TV at noon ET since it’s in Abu Dhabi. Grab the Celtics at -3.5 (-115).
Pick: Celtics -3.5 (-115)
- Jason Radowitz
New Zealand Breakers vs. Jazz
The Utah Jazz starting lineup is still a mystery heading into Game 1 of the preseason. It'll likely be Keyonte George, Collin Sexton, Cody Williams, Lauri Markkanen, and Walker Kessler. That said, this Utah team doesn't look like a playoff contender. The last time the Breakers played Utah was on October 16 last year, and the Jazz won that game by 20 points, 114-94. In that game, no player on the Jazz played more than 17 minutes, and the Jazz played 19 different players. If that's the case, I'd back the Breakers, who will at least play their best guys for 30+ minutes and allow them to get in a rhythm. This game for the Jazz is just to get everyone a taste of competitive hardwood again. Give me the Breakers at +28.5 (-120).
Pick: Breakers +28.5 (-120)
- Jason Radowitz
Timberwolves vs. Lakers
We'll see J.J. Reddick on the sideline for the first time as the Lakers’ head coach. He'll have to handle a laundry list of injuries to start the preseason. While guys like LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Austin Reaves are fine, there are plenty of questionable role players. We might not see Christian Koloko, Jarred Vanderbilt, Cam Reddish, or Jordan Goodwin. Meanwhile, the Timberwolves just made a blockbuster deal with the Knicks that sent Karl-Anthony Towns to New York in exchange for Donte DiVincenzo and Julius Randle. Randle is already listed as questionable, so it's unlikely he will see much if any, action against the team that drafted him. With the game in California, I'll back the team that didn't just trade away one of their top players.
Pick: Lakers +3.5 (-120)
- Jason Radowitz