Top NBA Picks and Predictions Today (Bet Warriors, Thunder and Suns as Favorites on Tuesday)
By Peter Dewey
Several playoff teams from last season are in action in the NBA on Tuesday, and I have picks for three of the four games on the slate in today's top picks and predictions.
Can Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors complete the season sweep against the Miami Heat? I have a moneyline play in that game as well as spread picks for two other matchups in the NBA on Nov. 1.
Here are today's picks:
Golden State Warriors vs. Miami Heat Odds, Prediction and Pick
The Warriors 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.
Orlando Magic vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Odds, Prediction and Pick
The Thunder have been an extremely profitable team to bet on the last few seasons, going 48-30-4 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.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Phoenix Suns Odds, Prediction and Pick
The Wolves have been an up and down team this season despite an elite defense, and I can’t get behind them at this short of a number on the road.
The Suns are one of the better home teams in the NBA, going 37-11 straight up at Footprint Center last season, and they have the best net rating (12.3) in the NBA so far this season.
Phoenix ranks second in offensive rating and fourth in defensive rating, a clear advantage against the Wolves’ No. 23 offense. The Wolves traded away a lot of their depth to bring in Rudy Gobert, and its hurt them so far this season, ranking 18th in bench scoring.
The Suns got off to a crazy start last regular season, and I’ll gladly back them as just four-point favorites after they covered in four of their first six games.
Find Peter Dewey’s full betting record here.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.