Top 3 NBA Betting Picks for Thursday, October 7th (2021)
With the start of the 2021 NBA regular season just inside two weeks away, preseason play is ramping up all over the country as teams try to get their bearings on what will be a mostly “back to normal†season. While vaccine issues linger throughout the league, most teams have managed to get to around 100% and are full steam ahead for planning for the season.
Let’s take a look at the Thursday slate and see where the value lies.
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1. 76ers -6 | -110 at FanDuel Sportsbook
These two just played Monday in Toronto in what was the first home game for the Raptors since the pandemic began as they played last season in Tampa, FL due to travel restrictions. In the 123-107 win for the Raptors, the team shot over 50% from the field as the 76ers struggled to find any kind of rhythm, ending the night just 41.7% from the field and 23.5% from three.
While the Ben Simmons saga continues to play itself out, Andre Drummond and Seth Curry will lead this team through the preseason and I think we see a regrouped team tonight in Philly who gets the added benefit of home rims and some routine back into a more talented top to bottom line up.
2. Hornets -1 | -110 at FanDuel Sportsbook
Presumably, the entire opening day starting five was on the floor Monday for Charlotte in their opening game at Oklahoma City, as they cruised to a 113-97 victory easily covering as 4-point favorites. LaMello Ball was the high scorer with 15 points in 21 minutes, as the 2nd year player will look to build on what was a stellar rookie year.
The Grizzlies, who played at home vs. the Bucks on Tuesday, also played much of their starting lineup in a game that was bizarrely cut short at the end of the 3rd quarter due to a fire alarm issue at their arena. Even still, Ja Morant led all scorers with 27 as they faced a Bucks team missing almost their starting five entirely.
In this one, I expect the hornets once again to ride with their starting five, and get the job done again this time at home in front of an enthusiastic crowd.
3. Rockets +6 | -110 at FanDuel Sportsbook
In tonight’s ESPN matchup, the Heat head west to take on the Houston Rockets as both teams come in off of opening game wins at home. In what I see as much closer to a pick-em, I’ll gladly take the points with the home Rockets as the Heat starters likely see even less time away from home.
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