We are back at it again for another round of NBA best bets for the 4-game slate on tap for Thursday.
With a TNT doubleheader on the schedule, Wemby and the San Antonio Spurs (+8) pay a visit to Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks (currently 8-point favorites) at 7:30 p.m. ET for their first matchup of the season. Following, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder face off against Nikola Jokić and the Denver Nuggets (2-point favorite) at 10 p.m. ET.
On League Pass, the Boston Celtics (currently 13.5-favorites) aim to stay hot against the Washington Wizards while Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves (1-point favorite) get set to meet the Sacramento Kings in a must-see.
Thunder vs. Nuggets and Timberwolves vs. Kings were heavy on the minds of our experts as they provide 4 players props and a couple of bets on the total as we roll out our NBA best bets and picks for Thursday, October 24.
Best NBA Bets Today
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 10:00 P.M. | |
| 10:00 P.M. | |
| 10:00 P.M. | |
| 10:00 P.M. | |
  | 10:00 P.M. | |
| 10:00 P.M. | |
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. | ||
Chris Baker's Pick On The Total for Thunder vs. Nuggets
By Chris Baker
I have the Thunder as the #1 rated defense in the NBA entering the season and they actually beat this Denver team in 3 of 4 games last year. Enter Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein to a defense that ranked 4th last season. Hartenstein is out here, but the combination of Caruso and Lu Dort should give Jamal Murray massive issues here. Murray averaged 13.5 PPG on 40% from the field against OKC last season.
Additionally, Jokic has a strength advantage on Holmgren but the Thunder did a decent job of limiting him in their matchups last season as he averaged just 23 PPG albeit on insane 71% efficiency. On the flip side of the ball, I think the Nuggets starting-5 should be very good defensively still as long as Jamal Murray can hold up.
Murray will be able to hide on Dort on defense and I expect Christian Braun to do a pretty good job on Shai. When Braun needs a rest the Nuggets can turn to hyper-athletic Peyton Watson for some minutes on SGA. Denver has certainly been hearing all of the noise about them being washed so they will come out with urgency on both ends.
I expect a competitive halfcourt game with lots of physicality. 3 of the 4 games between these teams last season went under this total, and I really think Caruso will be a difference maker here on Murray.
Pick: Under 226
| | | | | |
Joe Dellera's Player Prop for Thunder vs. Nuggets
By Joe Dellera
Michael Porter Jr. should see an expanded role without KCP this season. I fully expect MPJ to get additional looks whether they are plays being drawn up for him or additional looks as Jokic continues to improvise.
MPJ averaged 17.6 ppg at home last season and that was despite playing at one of the league’s slowest paces. Now, with the acquisition of Russell Westbrook along with the injection of Christian Braun into the starting lineup, I expect this Nuggets team to play with a bit more pace to keep the pressure on given their athleticism. Couple this with both Jokic's and Westbrook's ability to kick to the open man and this is a good spot for MPJ.
MPJ is a deadeye shooter and I expect him to excel even against a tough OKC defense.
Pick: Michael Porter Jr. Over 15.5 Points
| | | | | |
Braxton Reynolds' SGA Prop for Thunder vs. Nuggets
SGA is a slasher at heart, but he worked all offseason to improve as a 3-point shooter in order to balance his game.
The results looked promising during preseason action. His jumper had a quicker release, and he appeared more comfortable taking catch-and-shoot looks.
I expect more 3-point volume from the superstar this season.
Pick: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 2+ Made Threes (+128) and 3+ Made Threes (+360)
| | | | | |
Joe Dellera's Player Prop Bet for Thunder vs. Nuggets
By Joe Dellera
This is a points number that Jalen Williams has exceeded in 53% of games last season. However, the more notable thing is how I expect him to perform without Josh Giddey.
I wrote extensively about this in my Player Props Forecast but the notable part is that Jalen Williams averaged 9.47 points more per 100 possessions without Giddey than in the minutes alongside of him.
I expect Williams to see significant growth this season, and even though Denver’s defensive options are strong to throw at him, they will be much more focused on slowing down Shai instead.
Grab Jalen Williams to exceed 18.5 points.
Pick: Jalen Williams Over 18.5 Points
| | | | | |
Michael Fiddle's Total Target for Timberwolves vs. Kings
The Wolves showed that they have some offensive woes and spacing to sort out in Game 1 against the Lakers.
They do not have players that relentlessly hover around the 3-point line and loom as constant threats with quick triggers. They rely on efficiency, movement shooters, and play in slow half court sets.
The Wolves defense is also outstanding, which hopefully slows down the Kings in their first set of action. DeMar DeRozan will be looking to fit in with Domantas Sabonis, which presents a similar duo who love the midrange like Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle. I like this for a full unit.
Pick: Under 226.5
| | | | | |
Joe Dellara's Gobert Prop for Timberwolves vs. Kings
By Joe Dellera
Rudy Gobert absolutely dominates against Domantas Sabonis.
He’s exceeded this rebounds line of 12.5 in 6 of his last 7 head-to-head matchups against Sabonis with the miss coming at 11. He’s averaged 14.6 during this stretch. Gobert is an anchor in the paint and Sabonis’ game simply allows him to stay here on both sides of the ball without much recourse.
Running the numbers from the first game of the Julius Randle experience, Gobert saw no discernible difference in his rebounding numbers. I think KAT and Randle were similar in their effect and Randle played alongside true 5s such as Mitchell Robinson and did not affect his rebounding much at all either.
I’ll back Gobert to exceed 12.5 rebounds in this spot.
Pick: Rudy Gobert Over 12.5 Rebounds
| | | | | |
