The first Friday night of the 2024-25 NBA season is upon us, and we're back with more expert bets across the board in the Association on October 25 courtesy of the best NBA betting podcast in all the land — "Buckets".
As of early Friday, the biggest spread for today's games is in Nets vs. Magic, where Orlando is a 12-point favorite on the spread (Magic -12). The tightest line is Grizzlies vs. Rockets and Suns vs. Lakers, where both the Rockets and Lakers are 2-point favorites in their respective games at home.
The highest total of the night is over/under 233.5 points in Bulls vs. Bucks, while the lowest-scoring affair is expected in the aforementioned Nets vs. Magic game with a total of 215.5.
Let's get to our best NBA bets today and NBA picks for Friday from the "Buckets" crew.
NBA Best Bets for Today
- Knicks to cover the spread vs. the Pacers
- Knicks vs. Pacers over the total
- Hawks to cover the spread vs. the Hornets
- Bulls to beat the Bucks
Pacers vs. Knicks
| Pacers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+6 -115 | 228 -112o / -108u | +195 |
| Knicks Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-6 -105 | 228 -112o / -108u | -238 |
"This is a bit of a revenge spot for the Knicks. They’re back home at MSG, and I expect them to come out with urgency, especially on defense. Indiana’s offense doesn’t have the firepower to exploit New York’s defense the way Boston did."
Pick: Knicks -5 vs. Pacers
"People are overreacting to the Knicks’ poor start. Indiana barely scraped by Detroit, and the Knicks should be more focused and sharp on their home floor. I still like this play at -5 even with the early line movement.
"Both teams can score, and adding Karl-Anthony Towns to the Knicks gives them more offensive flexibility. This total is likely to close higher, and the Knicks should push the pace more effectively in this matchup."
Pick: Knicks -5, Over 226.5
Hornets vs. Hawks
| Hornets Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+5.5 -112 | 229.5 -108o / -112u | +170 |
| Hawks Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-5.5 -108 | 229.5 -108o / -112u | -205 |
"Atlanta is undervalued early in the season, and they have a deep roster that the Hornets can’t match. Charlotte’s win over Houston was a bit of a fluke, and I expect Atlanta to cover this line with ease."
Pick: Hawks -5
Bulls vs. Bucks
| Bulls Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+9.5 -108 | 233.5 -110o / -110u | +330 |
| Bucks Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-9.5 -112 | 233.5 -110o / -110u | -425 |
"The Bulls are coming off a loss, but their chemistry looks good, and this is a short divisional road trip. Milwaukee’s depth is already being tested with injuries, and Chicago’s bench could make this game more competitive than expected."
Pick: Bulls moneyline
NBA Odds
| 76ers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-4 -112 | 218.5 -112o / -108u | -192 |
| Raptors Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+4 -108 | 218.5 -112o / -108u | +160 |
| Nets Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+12 -108 | 216 -108o / -112u | +500 |
| Magic Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-12 -112 | 216 -108o / -112u | -700 |
| Hornets Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+5.5 -112 | 229.5 -108o / -112u | +170 |
| Hawks Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-5.5 -108 | 229.5 -108o / -112u | -205 |
| Pacers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+6 -115 | 228 -112o / -108u | +195 |
| Knicks Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-6 -105 | 228 -112o / -108u | -238 |
| Pistons Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+10.5 -112 | 225.5 -112o / -108u | +400 |
| Cavaliers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-10.5 -108 | 225.5 -112o / -108u | -535 |
| Grizzlies Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+2 -108 | 221 -108o / -112u | +110 |
| Rockets Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-2 -112 | 221 -108o / -112u | -130 |
| Bulls Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+9.5 -108 | 233.5 -110o / -110u | +330 |
| Bucks Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-9.5 -112 | 233.5 -110o / -110u | -425 |
| Warriors Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-2.5 -110 | 233 -108o / -112u | -142 |
| Jazz Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+2.5 -110 | 233 -108o / -112u | +120 |
| Pelicans Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-5.5 -110 | 218.5 -110o / -110u | -225 |
| Trail Blazers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+5.5 -110 | 218.5 -110o / -110u | +185 |
| Suns Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+2 -112 | 228.5 -110o / -110u | +105 |
| Lakers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-2 -108 | 228.5 -110o / -110u | -125 |
