Top NBA Preseason Odds, Picks & Predictions: Thursday (10/12)

by Jason Radowitz |
Oct 12, 2023

We’ve got eight games on the NBA slate, including another NBA Canada Series game between the Pistons and Thunder.

The Brooklyn Nets will also take on Israel’s Maccabi Ra’anana, which should be an emotional but exciting matchup.

Get instant alerts when a line reaches your target via the BettingPros App >>

Thursday’s Best NBA Preseason Bets

Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook | All wagers are for 1 unit

Orlando Magic vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

The Orlando Magic are 1-0 in the preseason after a 122-105 win over the Pelicans. The starters got about 15-20 minutes in that game while the bench did the rest. Paulo Banchero is expected to have a big second year for Orlando. He scored 12 points in 20 minutes, with six rebounds. Only Cole Anthony added double-digits in points for the Magic, who played 17 different players in that game.

On the other hand, Cleveland lost to the Hawks, 108-107 in their first game. The starters struggled in that game. Darius Garland scored 1-for-10 in 16 minutes, while Donovan Mitchell scored 10 points in 17 minutes. Isaac Okoro was the main contributor off the bench. He played 21 minutes and scored 19 points on 6-for-8 from the field.

I’ll back the Magic against the spread.

Bet: Magic +3.5 (-110)

Detroit Pistons vs. Oklahoma City Thunder

The Pistons lost to the Suns, 130-126 in overtime in their first preseason game. However, the Pistons played against a Phoenix team that started Bradley Beal, Devin Booker, Jusuf Nurkic, and Kevin Durant. Detroit held their own. The bench had four double-figured players, including Marvin Bagley III, who scored 25 points and added seven rebounds in 22 minutes. Meanwhile, in their first game, the Thunder escaped the Spurs, 122-121. It’s unclear if Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will play, but the starting lineup is still lethal, with Chet Holmgren leading the way. He scored 21 in 16 minutes of action.

I’ll ride with the Thunder here.

Bet: Thunder -4.5 (-110)

Charlotte Hornets vs. Washington Wizards

The Hornets might have LaMelo Ball. But this team will still be one of the worst teams in the league. The bench is really weak, especially if Brandon Miller continues to throw up bricks. Miller went 3-for-9 from the field and shot 0-for-4 from three for the Hornets off the bench. Meanwhile, the Wizards will be close to the Hornets in the Eastern Conference standings. Washington’s going to be just as bad. However, on Tuesday, the Wizards earned a 145-82 win over Cairns Taipans. Despite that game not being much competition, the Wizards still have more depth on the bench.

Let’s grab the Wizards against the spread.

Bet: Wizards -1.5 (-115)

Memphis Grizzlies vs. Atlanta Hawks

We already know Ja Morant won’t play in this game against the Hawks. Meanwhile, Marcus Smart is a game-time decision.

The Grizzlies are 2-0 in the preseason, with wins against the Pacers and Bucks. However, that Bucks team didn’t have Giannis Antetkounmpo or Damian Lillard. Those two will debut on Sunday. Desmond Bane was lethal from deep, and Jaren Jackson Jr. added some solid minutes, and the Grizzlies escaped the Bucks. They’ve got solid depth at forward, but the guard spot is a bit weak right now without Morant and Smith.

Conversely, the Hawks added a 108-107 win over the Cavaliers in their first preseason game. The starting lineup didn’t look very good. No player hit more than three shots, despite the starting five taking 30 shots as a unit.

Give me the Grizzlies in this one.

Bet: Grizzlies +2.5 (-114)

Ra’Anana vs. Brooklyn Nets

Ra’Anana is a team from Israel. They played three games in the NBA preseason last year and lost all of them by massive scores.

The Clippers won 121-81, the Blazers earned a 138-85 win, and the Thunder earned a 144-97 win.

The Nets will earn a massive win. It’ll be their first preseason win of the year after losing to the Lakers 129-126 last time out. Cam Thomas added 26 points and shot 9-for-14 from the field. Look for him to be a legitimate scorer throughout the season for the Nets this season. Meanwhile, Ben Simmons scored 10 points in only 14 minutes. His confidence is high, and the Nets will be much better when he plays at a high level.

Back the Nets to win by a hefty margin in this one. However, we might not see odds for this game until closer to game time.

Denver Nuggets vs. Chicago Bulls

Denver added a 115-107 win against the Suns for their first preseason game. However, it was really the bench that took over. Julian Strawther added 20 points on 8-for-12 from the field in 21 minutes. He was a bright spot. Meanwhile, Hunter Tyson played 30 minutes and scored no points with four rebounds and four fouls. On the flip side, the Bulls lost to the Bucks, 105-102, to begin their preseason journey. The Bulls have a lot of players on the roster, but not many players who stood out. We know that the Bulls’ starters can’t stick with the Nuggets’ starters. But the Bulls’ bench also won’t be able to stick around against the Nuggets’ bench.

I’m on the Nuggets in this one.

Bet: Nuggets -2.5 (-108)

Houston Rockets vs. New Orleans Pelicans

Houston looked sensational in their debut. The Rockets defeated the Pacers, 122-103, despite Dillon Brooks getting ejected minutes into the game. That probably helped the Rockets! Cam Whitmore shot 6-for-10 in 17 minutes, and Amen Thompson had seven points and nine rebounds despite shooting 1-for-9 from the field. The Rockets have a lot to offer this year. Then there’s the Pelicans, who finally saw Zion Williamson back on the court. They still lost 122-105 to the Magic at home because the bench played really poorly. Jordan Hawkins saw 26 minutes and shot just 4-for-14 from the field. That stung.

Give me the Rockets here.

Bet: Rockets +2.5 (-104)

Phoenix Suns vs. Portland Trail Blazers

The Suns have already played two games in the preseason.

The Suns didn’t start Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, or Bradley Beal in that game but played them in the first game. Phoenix will likely want those three guys playing with one another a little more before the regular season begins. There’s plenty of depth on the Phoenix roster. But if those three are playing, the Suns are a must-bet. On the other hand, the Blazers beat the New Zealand Breakers 106-66 for their first preseason win. That game will likely give them false hope.

Grab the Suns to earn this one. We’ve got the NBA’s best team against the NBA’s potentially worst team.

Bet: Suns -4.5 (-102)

Before making your bets, please be advised that many players in these preseason games will be game-time decisions and could be ruled out after the submission of this article.

Navigate