We have an excellent 5-game slate on tap in the NBA this Sunday, and our staff of basketball betting experts came through with six bets, including one pick against the spread, one team total prediction, and four player props for today's docket of matchups.
Continue below for our NBA best bets and NBA picks for Sunday, October 27.
Best NBA Bets Today
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Specific betting recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our NBA Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game. | ||
76ers vs. Pacers
By Joe Dellera
The Pacers host the Philadelphia 76ers this Sunday, who remain without both Paul George and Joel Embiid.
This is a strong spot for Myles Turner, who gets to take on a Philadelphia team that will need to rely on Andre Drummond in a drop who has significantly less defensive flexibility than Joel Embiid.
Turner has fared well against the Sixers in the past regardless, scoring 20, 17, 22, and 20 points against them in his last four matchups.
This is a good spot to buy a bit low on Turner as well, after he managed just 13 points against the Knicks. Through two games, Philly has a Defensive Rating of 117.7 and even though they continue to limit 3-point attempts, they have struggled to defend the midrange shot, which is where Turner has thrived throughout his career.
I have Turner projected at 19 points today, so there's a decent amount of value in betting over 15.5.
Pick: Myles Turner Over 15.5 Points (-113)
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Pelicans vs. Trail Blazers
By Eric Gaston
In the first matchup of the season between these two teams last Friday night, the Pelicans managed to win in a close battle, beating Portland by a final score of 105-103. Brandon Ingram hit the game-winning basket and Zion Williamson sealed the victory with a vicious block.
The second matchup should be more of a defiant performance for New Orleans. Williamson only shot 4/15 during Friday's game, and with a better offensive performance from him, the Pelicans should win this game without it being determined by a final possession.
Pick: Pelicans -6.5 (-110)
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Bucks vs. Nets
By Joe Dellera
The Bucks and the Nets face off on Sunday, and one player I’m targeting in this matchup is Cam Thomas.
Thomas has been the clear head of the offensive attack for the Nets this season, and has scored 36 and 24 points in two games thus far, playing 33 and 35 minutes in those contests. He should see plenty of run again today, which was an issue for him at times last season due to inconsistent minutes.
Both of these teams play at an above average Pace, and the Bucks’ defense has been league average, and they will now be playing on a back-to-back with potentially tired legs.
The Bucks have already allowed strong performances from Coby White (35) and Zach LaVine (25) and Tyrese Maxey (25). They’re getting shredded by primary ball handlers.
I have Cam at about 28 points today, so over 25.5 points shouldn't be too steep of an ask.
Pick: Cam Thomas Over 25.5 Points (-125)
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Hawks vs. Thunder
By Chris Baker
The Thunder won their first two games of the season by 15+ points, but their success has primarily been predicated on their elite defense.
The offense has been poor, averaging just 102.5 points per 100 possessions. They rank dead-last in 3-point percentage at 20.5%. These first two games are outliers, and I still expect this offense to be a top-10 offense this season.
This is a great spot for them, as they get an untested Hawks defense that has faced a weak schedule so far, drawing matchups against Brooklyn and Charlotte to open. Their underlying defensive metrics look bad, as they are still allowing an offensive rebound rate of 36.8% (27th in league) and rank bottom-10 in rim rate and three point attempt rate allowed. The Thunder should get up a ton of quality threes here.
The Hawks improved their defense this past offseason by adding Dyson Daniels, but he can only match up against one person at at time. Even if he manages to slow down Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder have a ton of other players who can consistently get to the rim and make shots from the outside.
I just think this as a bad matchup for the Hawks' defense, and the perfect matchup for OKC to get right offensively and try to run up the score.
Pick: Thunder Team Total Over 119.5 (-105)
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Clippers vs. Warriors
The Warriors are off to a 2-0 start, winning both games by an average of 38.5 points.
Granted, Golden State beat Portland (22.5) and Utah (27.5), two teams ranked in the bottom-five of the league based on their projected win total entering the season. Nonetheless, the lopsided victories meant the Warriors could limit the minutes of their star point guard Stephen Curry.
Curry has averaged 26 minutes through the two games, and despite his boyish looks, he’s already into his 16th season in the NBA. Thus, the Warriors will gladly welcome any opportunity to rest the 36-year-old.
Sunday’s home opener against the Clippers should offer a more difficult challenge, considering their opponent is coming off an impressive 109-104 road victory over the Nuggets.
One thing that’s clear about the Warriors is they seem to have a deeper roster. Buddy Hield leads the team with 24.5 points per game despite coming off the bench.
While the Warriors will need Curry to play at a high level to succeed, the team is undoubtedly better if he has to do less heavy lifting. As a result, I think we can expect Curry to take a more balanced approach in this early stage of the season while looking to get his teammates involved.
While he’s known to be a good passer, he’s also a capable rebounder despite his diminutive stature. Curry averaged 4.5 rebounds last year and a career-high 6.1 two seasons ago. His rebounds + assists prop is available at 8.5, and he’s exceeded this number in eight of his last 10 games overall, and three of his last four meetings against the Clippers.
If this game proves to be more competitive than the Warriors' previous two affairs, then Curry should have a great chance to surpass his projection while logging more minutes.
Pick: Steph Curry Over 8.5 Rebounds + Assists (-150)
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By Eric Gaston
In the home opener for Golden State, there's no doubt Steph Curry will be amped up to be back at Chase Center. The Warriors will be hosting the Clippers, who are coming off an impressive road victory over Denver.
The Warriors are 2-0, and took care of business on the road, blowing out the Portland Trail Blazers and Utah Jazz. Curry scored 17 points and 20 points respectively, and didn't need to have big scoring performances due to the Warriors dominating lower-tier teams.
The Clippers just beat the Nuggets and lost by three points in game that went to overtime against the Suns.
James Harden has led the way without Kawhi Leonard, and has looked great in his first two games. That will be the matchup to watch, as two of the league's greatest guards go head-to-head. Curry will definitely be up for the challenge.
Pick: Steph Curry 25+ Points (-105)
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