NBA Best Bets Today (Predictions for Karl-Anthony Towns, Magic-Thunder, Warriors-Heat on Tuesday)

We're officially two weeks into the 2022-23 NBA season, and the NBA Best Bets column is still running hot!

If you haven't hopped on the train yet, what are you waiting for?

I'm back with three more picks for the four-game slate on Tuesday, including a prop play for Karl-Anthony Towns, who looks to be on the verge of a breakout for the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Who will win the Golden State Warriors-Miami Heat matchup? Can Shai Gilgeous-Alexander carry Oklahoma City to another win?

Picks for both of those games and a recap of this season's record are below:

NBA Best Bets Record to Date

• NBA Best Bets Record for 2022-23 Season: 27-16-1 (+8.0551 units)

NBA Best Bets Today

• Golden State Warriors ML (-105) vs. Miami Heat
• Oklahoma City Thunder -3 (-110)
• Karl-Anthony Towns OVER 22.5 Points (-110)

Golden State Warriors ML (-105) vs. Miami Heat

The Golden State Warriors and Miami Heat have both gotten out to slow starts in the 2022-23 season, and now they face off in Miami on Tuesday night. 

Golden State may be struggling, but Steph Curry is off to a great start this season, averaging over 30 points per game through the team’s first seven games. 

His supporting cast has been suspect at times, but the Heat haven’t exactly lit the world on fire on offense, ranking 24th in the NBA in offensive rating. Victor Oladipo’s absence has left the team a bit thin in its rotation, and that will continue with Oladipo (knee) out again tonight.

The Warriors and Heat played a good game last week, but Golden State pulled away late with some strong shooting. The Warriors push the pace this season, ranking second in the NBA, while Miami (23rd) would much rather slow things down. 

That’s where I think Golden State holds the advantage, as the team can put on an avalanche of scoring at any time to take control of this game. Unless Kyle Lowry or a bench player steps up for Miami in this game, I don’t think it has the offensive firepower to beat Golden State. 

Oklahoma City Thunder (-110) -3 vs. Orlando Magic

Last season, the Oklahoma City Thunder were favored at home just three times, going 2-1 against the spread in those games. With Orlando banged up at the guard position (Cole Anthony, Markelle Fultz and Jalen Suggs are all hurt), the Orlando Magic have gotten out to a 1-6 start this season. 

The Thunder have been an extremely profitable team to bet on the last few seasons, going 48-30-3 ATS last season and 5-1 so far in the 2022-23 campaign. 

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has dominated to start this season, averaging 31 points per game after dropping 38 on the Mavericks in the Thunder’s most recent win. 

He’s going to be a matchup nightmare for the Magic, especially if the team is forced to play forward-heavy lineups with so many guards injured. 

Magic rookie Paolo Banchero has been everything the team could have asked for with the No. 1 pick, but it hasn’t translated to wins early in this season. Orlando ranks 27th in offensive rating and 17th in defensive rating this season. 

On the other hand, OKC is 26th in offense but seventh in defense. This young Thunder team battles, and I think they have the firepower behind SGA to win and cover at home on Tuesday. 

Karl-Anthony Towns OVER 22.5 Points (-110)

This is a great matchup for Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert with Deandre Ayton out for the Phoenix Suns. Jock Landale and Bismack Biyombo will handle the majority of the minutes at center, and I think the lack of size for the Suns helps Towns pick up some easy buckets in this game. 

KAT is averaging 21.3 points per game this season, clearing his prop for tonight in just three games, but he’s seen his usage steady over the last few games. 

After taking 10, 25 and nine shots in his first three outings this season, Towns has attempted 14 or more shots in each of his last four, averaging 23.8 points per game over that stretch. 

The Wolves have to take advantage of Phoenix’s banged up frontcourt, so I’ll back Towns to turn in another strong scoring performance tonight. 

Find Peter Dewey’s full betting record here.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.