Top NBA Picks and Predictions Today (Back Celtics, Damian Lillard's Points Prop and Total in Nets-Grizzlies)
The NBA season concludes its first week with several matchups on Monday, Oct. 24, and the BetSided duo of Peter Dewey and Reed Wallach has you covered with picks for a few of the games tonight.
If you're looking for a prop, a total or a side, we have one of each in today's top predictions:
Denver Nuggets vs. Portland Trail Blazers Odds, Prediction and Pick
My favorite play in this game is a prop bet, as Lillard has been terrific over the last two games, scoring 41 points in each matchup.
Lillard looks healthy after an injury-riddled 2021-22 campaign, and his usage has just been absolutely insane.
He has taken 25 shots in each of his last two games, attempting 12 and 13 3-pointers in those games as well. The Blazers need him to score, and they’ve added players that complement him well in Josh Hart and Jerami Grant.
The Nuggets are 23rd in the NBA in defensive rating this season, so I expect Dame to be able to clear 26.5 points with relative ease in this matchup.
Brooklyn Nets vs. Memphis Grizzlies Odds, Prediction and Pick
The total in this game is high at 232.5, but it’s for good reason as these teams are No. 29 (Memphis) and No. 28 (Brooklyn) in defensive rating to start this season.
Plus, you have a ton of electric scorers between Ja Morant, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in this game.
The Grizzlies came close to this number in their overtime win over the New York Knicks, and they’ve soared past it in each of their last two games, including a game with 251 combined points against the Houston Rockets.
Brooklyn did give up 130 points in its season opener, and I wouldn't be shocked if both of these teams would prefer to push the pace given their starts on the defensive end this season.
I’ll back the OVER in what should be a bounce-back spot for Memphis after Saturday’s blowout loss.
Boston Celtics vs. Chicago Bulls Odds, Prediction and Pick
I'm not stepping in front of this Celtics freight train with a Bulls team that is struggling on the offensive end. Chicago is scoring 104 points per 100 possessions, the third worst mark in the league thus far, while Boston is scorching from the field. Led by Tatum, the Celtics are tops in the NBA in points per 100 possessions, putting up a blistering 124 points.
The Bulls did get LaVine back from a lingering knee issue over the weekend, but it's clear that this Chicago offense is a work in progress.
Meanwhile, the Celtics are playing like a well oiled machine on both ends of the floor. The offense is putting up league best marks, while the defense continues to play well in spite of the loss of Robert Williams III. The team has shut down the paint, allowing the fifth lowest points in the paint this season, which should make it hard for the Bulls offense to get going, who are putting up the second lowest effective field goal percentage in the league.
Boston is rolling right now, bet accordingly.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.