The NBA features a loaded 10-game slate for Wednesday’s action. There is no shortage of intriguing betting options to consider on DraftKings Sportsbook to get in the mix.
This will be the first game for many teams beginning their 2024-25 NBA regular season campaigns. The Pacers and Pistons are the first matchup at 7 p.m. EST, followed by Bucks-76ers, Nets-Hawks, Cavaliers-Raptors, and Magic-Heat at 7:30 p.m. EST.
Other matchups that start at 8 p.m. EST include Hornets vs. Rockets and Bulls vs. Pelicans. Only the Grizzlies vs. Jazz will be featured an hour later, but another hour will consist of Warriors vs. Blazers and Suns vs. Clippers.
Here are five betting options on DraftKings Sportsbook that stand out for the Wednesday, Oct. 23 NBA slate:
Giannis Antetokounmpo Over 28.5 Points (-110)
With Joel Embiid and Paul George sidelined for the 76ers in this matchup, Giannis Antetokounmpo will have a simpler time attacking the paint as the focal point of the Bucks’ offense. Antetokounmpo is -110 to score over 28.5 points on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Khris Middleton is also injured, further enhancing Milwaukee’s need for Antetokounmpo to have a dynamic scoring performance.
The 76ers signed Andre Drummond partly so he can step into a more significant role when Embiid is sidelined. It’s not a perfect science, but Antetokounmpo has averaged 31.7 points over seven games against Drummond since the 2022-23 season. Unless Damian Lillard goes off instead, Antetokounmpo seems well-positioned to have a big-scoring performance.
Orlando Magic +2 (-112)
Coming off a strong season that earned the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference, the Magic seek to build on what they achieved. A matchup against the Heat on opening night will be a solid indicator of their young talent’s progression in their development, along with the impact of adding Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in free agency.
With how impressive Orlando’s defense was last season, adding shooting should help compete against some of the more formidable teams in the league. The Heat had a lesser campaign in 2024-25.
Phoenix Suns -5 (-108)
James Harden will be relied on heavily to score and facilitate. However, with Paul George gone and Kawhi Leonard sidelined for this game, the Clippers become an easier offense to guard. The Suns have the talent to go into Intuit Dome and win. It seems fair with the line set at -5 for -108 on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal now have a steady-handed point guard to run the offense in Tyus Jones, helping the team find favorable positions for their top scorers to attack. Without Leonard to guard Durant, the Suns’ offense still has challenging defenders to score against, including Derrick Jones Jr. and Ivica Zubac, but it becomes an easier task to create advantages.
Trae Young Over 26.5 Points (-110)
Few teams are constructed as poorly as the Nets at this time. They are focused on rebuilding after moving on from Mikal Bridges during the offseason. They were in a middle ground where competing was desired but lacked the necessary talent. This should present a favorable opportunity for Trae Young to have a big game in his regular-season debut.
With the Hawks no longer having Dejounte Murray in the backcourt to be Young’s co-star, the team mostly has a supporting cast of role players who aren’t doing much creating off the dribble. He seems likely to hit the Over for 26.5 points at -110 on DraftKings Sportsbook against the Nets.
Grizzlies -2.5 (-108)
With Ja Morant back in the lineup, the Grizzlies should be ready to begin a solid bounce-back season, starting with this matchup against the Jazz. On DraftKings Sportsbook, the team only has +2.5 to cover the spread at -108. Utah is still rebuilding, and competing with a revamped Grizzlies squad could be a tall task.
With Zach Edey now at center, seeing how the Grizzlies can set the tone in the paint on both ends will be intriguing. Jaren Jackson Jr. is sidelined for this game, but with Morant and Desmond Bane, there should be plenty of talent available for Memphis to get a win by a sufficient margin.
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All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.
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