NBA Best Bets and Picks for Today: Friday Slate Provides Upside

The NBA’s first weekend of action is here, featuring a packed Friday slate with plenty of intriguing matchups across the league. From an Eastern Conference showdown between the Bucks and Raptors to Victor Wembanyama looking to take over New Orleans and Luka Doncic's primetime matchup in Los Angeles, tonight’s board is filled with opportunity.

With sportsbooks still calibrating to new rotations and early-season form, bettors using sports betting apps can find edges before lines tighten. Here are the best NBA bets today, with added value from current sportsbook promotions.

Game Lines

Milwaukee Bucks +2 vs Toronto Raptors🏀 (-110 via Caesars Sportsbook) 📈

The Raptors looked great in their season opener, but it's unclear how sustainable that is. The Bucks are on paper the better team, so getting them as underdogs is great value.

Cleveland Cavaliers vs Brooklyn Nets – Over 227.5🏀 (-110 via bet365) 📈

Cleveland boasts a high-powered offense and has the ability to score 125 points on its own. Assuming the Nets can keep this game relatively close and break 100 points, this over should cash, which will be especially valuable if you leverage Bet365 promo codes.

San Antonio Spurs -3.5 vs New Orleans Pelicans🏀 (-110 via BetMGM) 📈

San Antonio could be this season's quickest riser, which proved true in the Spurs' season opener. Against a Pelicans team that isn't projected to make the playoffs, winning by four or more points should be no problem to cover.

Detroit Pistons vs Houston Rockets – Under 226.5🏀 (-110 via BetMGM) 📈

The Rockets and Pistons are both very good teams with playoff aspirations, fueled by great defenses. This game could come down to the wire, and it's likely a low-scoring affair headlined by the defensive side of the ball.

Golden State Warriors -1.5 vs Portland Trail Blazers🏀 (-105 via bet365) 📈

Playing on the second night of a back-to-back after a tight game last night, the Warriors are an interesting team to monitor entering today, but should still have no issue covering the spread against a Blazers team that is without its head coach.

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Player Props

Alperen Sengun Over 1.5 Made Threes🏀 (-115 via bet365) 📈

Sengun knocked down five triples in his season opener, so 1.5 today at these odds is tremendous value, especially at the volume he appears to be willing to take threes.

Jaren Jackson Jr. Over 6.5 Rebounds🏀 (+100 via bet365) 📈

Jackson certainly isn't the best rebounding big in the league, but plus odds to pull down seven or more boards is too good to pass up.

Kyshawn George Over 11.5 Points🏀 (-115 via BetMGM) 📈

After scoring 21 points in his season opener, George looks to be a breakout second-year player for the Wizards and should have no problem scoring 12 or more points.

Cooper Flagg Over 14.5 Points🏀 (-120 via Caesars Sportsbook) 📈

After a disappointing debut, Flagg will be motivated to come out strong tonight and will also be playing against a lower-tier team.

Luka Dončić Over 8.5 Rebounds🏀 (+115 via BetMGM) 📈

Doncic regularly pulls down 10+ rebounds en route to triple-doubles, so 8.5 should be no problem tonight.

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Today’s Best Parlay

💰 Combined Parlay Odds: +612 (via bet365)

Victor Wembanyama Over 42.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists🏀 (-115) 📈

Trae Young Over 9.5 Assists🏀 (-120) 📈

Franz Wagner Over 21.5 Points🏀 (-124) 📈

Wembanyama might already be the best player in the league and absolutely stuffs the stat sheet. After scoring 40 points and 15 rebounds in his season opener, this line is attractive, given it also includes rebounds and assists. From there, Young is an assist machine who averaged nearly 12 per game last season and Wagner is set for a breakout season in which he should average more than this scoring line.

Friday’s full NBA slate offers no shortage of early-season opportunities. With rotations still in flux and oddsmakers adjusting to real game data, bettors using the top sports betting apps can spot inefficiencies before they’re gone. Lock in these best NBA bets today and capitalize on the latest sportsbook promotions across the board before lines move.

All Odds as of 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 23

Mandatory Photo Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images