The long days without NBA basketball are in the past as the 2024-25 season has arrived. While there were plenty of headlines to keep the conversations going, it is now time for each team to return to the floor and prove why their offseason moves changed their outlook this season.
Opening night of the season kicked off with a double-header between the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks and then the Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves. Night two will mark the full start of the season, as there will be a full slate of 10 games to break down.
These are my picks to win every NBA game straight up, tiered by confidence level and ranked within each tier. You can bet on any of these games at DraftKings Sportsbook.
NBA October 23rd Confidence Picks
High Confidence
Rockets over Hornets – The Houston Rockets finished last season with a 41-41 record and are hoping to take a step forward into true contention. While the Charlotte Hornets have an enticing young core, as well, injuries have prevented us from seeing what the team can truly look like just yet. With more stable veterans, a clearer outlook as a team and the home crowd behind them, expect Houston to build some early momentum this season and start the 2024-25 season off with a win.
Grizzlies over Jazz – Last year was a disaster season for the Memphis Grizzlies with injuries and suspensions derailing the entire year. However, the season prior they finished with a 51-31 record which gave them the second seed in the West. With Ja Morant and several other key members of the roster returning to the team, expect Memphis to find this form once again and look like a threat in the West. While the Utah Jazz have started strong in each of the past two years, there is a significant gap in talent level that I expect to be put on display tonight.
Warriors over Trail Blazers – While the prime days of the Golden State Warriors’ dynasty are past us, Steph Curry is still Steph Curry. The Portland Trail Blazers are expected to compete for the top draft pick this season and are a long shot to make the playoffs at +3000 odds on DraftKings Sportsbook. Golden State has some fair concerns with their roster, but Curry will be the best player on the floor by a comfortable margin and there are far bigger questions surrounding Portland. Expect the Warriors offense to be too much for the Trail Blazers to match and for Golden State to start the season off on the right foot.
Pacers over Pistons – The Indiana Pacers took a massive step forward last season before being swept in the Eastern Conference Finals by the eventual champion Boston Celtics. They return a youthful core that is looking to continue to develop and put their talent on display. While the Detroit Pistons made some clear moves this offseason to improve from their league-worst 14 wins last year, there is still a lot of work to be done. Buy into the success that Indiana has flashed and expect Detroit to remain in the mix of worst teams in the NBA for now.
Pelicans over Bulls – The New Orleans Pelicans have quietly climbed into the conversation for most talented starting fives in the NBA. They strengthened this argument this offseason trading for Dejounte Murray. They will open up with a matchup with the Chicago Bulls, who are still searching for their direction and sit in NBA purgatory. While the Bulls will be more competent than some people give them credit for, expect the talent of New Orleans to be put on full display and to be the difference in this matchup. Keep an eye on the injury report as neither Zion Williamson nor Dejounte Murray is guaranteed to play, but if the Pelicans have their stars, expect them to produce the victory.
Medium Confidence
Hawks over Nets – The Atlanta Hawks pulled the plug on the Dejounte Murray experience this summer trading him away to the Pelicans. They now will fully be built around Trae Young, with Jalen Johnson growing into Young’s co-star. This will be a great opportunity to start the season off on the right foot as the Brooklyn Nets enter with the lowest season-long win total of any team in the league. With the Atlanta crowd behind them expect the Hawks to produce the opening night victory.
Cavaliers over Raptors – There is a surprising national confidence in the Cavaliers entering this season. While I still hold my doubts about their overall roster construction, don’t expect this to be a problem against the Raptors. Toronto has an intriguing young core that is expected to take the a step this season, but they still have a ways to go to match the talent level of Cleveland. Count on the Cavaliers to take care of business and produce the opening night victory.
Magic over Heat – While the Orlando Magic enter as two-point underdogs, I like them to get the outright victory over their cross-state rivals. The Magic have several talented young players who are starting to find their stride. Paolo Banchero is at the beginning of his true breakout and plenty of other players have shown promise, as well. The Miami Heat had a quiet offseason and are hoping health will be the biggest positive change. While you should not write them off for the season, expect Orlando’s youth to be a punch in the mouth Miami does not have the answer to.
Coin-Flip Games
Bucks over Sixers – The Philadelphia 76ers enter this matchup without Joel Embiid and Paul George which dropped them to underdogs against the Bucks. Even still, Milwaukee went just 18-20 to close last season once Doc Rivers took control and was eliminated in the opening round of the playoffs. Tyrese Maxey has flashed the ability to carry an offense in bursts and it will take a focused effort for Milwaukee to get the win. While the Bucks are rightfully favored, if Rivers doesn’t have the team ready to play, the Sixers will have a chance to go out and steal the victory.
Suns over Clippers – While the Phoenix Suns are a popular public play, give the Clippers a chance in this game. With the debut of the Intuit Dome taking place, expect there to be plenty of pomp and circumstance. Los Angeles is still a talented team, even following the loss of Paul George and the injury to Kawhi Leonard. Phoenix should be expected to take a step forward this season as the roster gains familiarity with itself, but a throwback James Harden performance could provide the Clippers with an outright victory. Expect this game to be closer than many believe will be the case.
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All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.
I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and customer (my username is seanbarnard) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skill and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and cannot access any non-public information.
