The first week of the 2024-25 season is in the books, but there is still plenty up in the air. The October 30 slate of games is loaded with 11 matchups in what will be the fourth or fifth game of the season for each of the teams.
Most notably, the Boston Celtics are set to face off with the Pacers in an Eastern Conference Finals rematch. Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren are set to square off in a Western Conference matchup following their fireworks last season. The Knicks and Heat will also meet and the Pelicans and Warriors will play each other for the second time in as many days.
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 30 Confidence Picks
High Confidence
Memphis Grizzlies over Brooklyn Nets
The Memphis Grizzlies enter as the largest favorites on today’s slate and for good reason. While they have not gotten off to the start they desire, entering with a 2-2 record, they have a massive talent advantage in this game. The biggest concern is Ja Morant’s questionable status as he missed the previous game with a right thigh injury. Even if Morant is out of the lineup, Brooklyn lacks the amount of legitimate offensive options to come out on top. Expect the Grizzlies to take care of business against this inferior squad with or without their star player.
Los Angeles Clippers over Portland Trail Blazers
The latest game on the slate will take place between the Clippers and Trail Blazers. Los Angeles will have the rest advantage as they have not played since Sunday, which could be a huge factor when considering the age of players like James Harden. The Clippers star has looked sharp to start the season and has successfully served as the engine of their offense. Expect this to continue against the Trail Blazers, who are 1-3 on the season and are still looking to get on the right track. Count on Los Angeles to continue to stay afloat as they await the return of Kawhi Leonard and for them to quietly be a better team than most expect.
Orlando Magic over Chicago Bulls
The Orlando Magic have quietly emerged as a legitimate playoff threat and are off to a 3-1 start to the season. The superstar leap for Paolo Banchero looks to be here, as he is freshly off a 50-point performance in their previous victory over the Pacers. Chicago does not have the level of adequate defenders to stop him and there is far more depth on the Orlando roster. Expect the Magic to continue building their resume as a legitimate playoff threat and for Chicago to lack the necessary talent to produce a victory in this matchup.
Philadelphia 76ers over Detroit Pistons
The Philadelphia 76ers continue to be without Joel Embiid and Paul George, but picked up their first victory over the Pacers on Sunday. They now return to Philadelphia and face a Detroit team that is expected to be among the bottom-feeders in the NBA. The Pistons are beginning to shift in the right direction, but still have a ways to go until they are truly competitive. Expect Tyrese Maxey to out-duel Cade Cunningham and for Philadelphia to approach this game with a renewed focus after dropping a game to the Raptors that they should have won. Don’t expect Nick Nurse to allow the Sixers to make this same mistake twice.
Boston Celtics over Indiana Pacers
The Boston Celtics have looked unstoppable to start the season. They now will be facing off with the Indiana Pacers in an Eastern Conference Finals rematch. The Pacers are just 1-3 to start the season. Expect the Celtics to continue looking like the title favorites and for their combination of talent and depth to be too much for the Pacers to overcome. While better days are ahead for Indiana, this is not a matchup where it can afford to work through the growing pains.
Medium Confidence
Los Angeles Lakers over Cleveland Cavaliers
The Los Angeles Lakers have been one of the more impressive teams to start this NBA season. JJ Redick has made some notable changes to the offense with more motion and ball movement throughout. They will now face the Cleveland Cavaliers, who have also exceeded expectations by a massive margin and join the Thunder and Celtics as the only remaining undefeated teams. This will likely be Cleveland’s toughest test thus far, and I expect them to struggle for the first time all year.
Charlotte Hornets over Toronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors took a notable hit as Scottie Barnes will miss at least the next three weeks due to an orbital fracture. This is a huge hit and their first matchup in his absence will be against the Hornets. While Charlotte will not be confused for a championship contender, LaMelo Ball is off to a hot start to the season and there is more talent on the Hornets’ roster than we are accustomed to seeing. Expect Ball and the team to continue building off this and for Toronto to struggle in their first game without their best player.
Oklahoma City Thunder over San Antonio Spurs
One of the more highly anticipated matchups of the night will be between the Thunder and Spurs. While Oklahoma City is considered a significant favorite in the matchup, Victor Wembanyama may have something to say about that. I still lean toward the Thunder getting the victory, but expect it to be closer than the spread indicates. Expect there to be a strong performance from Wembanyama that keeps things interesting before the Thunder can put this game away.
Coin-Flip Games
New York Knicks over Miami Heat
Neither the New York Knicks nor the Miami Heat have looked overly impressive to start the season. The Heat sit at 2-1, while the new-look Knicks are just 1-2 through the opening three games. New York has been unable to unlock Karl-Anthony Towns in the offense just yet, while the level of play from Jimmy Butler has been sporadic to start the year. I lean towards the Knicks getting the victory, but whichever team plays closer to their ceiling will get their desired result in this matchup.
New Orleans Pelicans over Golden State Warriors
The New Orleans Pelicans are facing off with Golden State Warriors for the second time in as many nights. The Warriors got the better of the Pelicans in the opening matchup due to their swarming defense, which forced 24 turnovers in the victory. The Pelicans entered last night’s game as 1.5-point favorites, but the Warriors now are listed as 2.5-point favorites following last night’s results. I lean toward the Pelicans getting their revenge, but Golden State’s high-level defense last night forced me to drop this into the coin-flip category.
Atlanta Hawks over Washington Wizards
It does not hold the same weight as most seasons, but this will be our first look at the No. 1 and No. 2 overall picks in the draft squaring off. The Hawks enter with a 2-2 record, while the Wizards are off to a 1-2 start to the season. Atlanta is rightfully favored in this matchup, but there are enough X-factors on this Wizards team that have me a bit nervous. Jordan Poole has hit 61.5% of his three-point attempts to start the season and can shoot the Wizards to a victory under the right circumstances.
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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.
