NBA Best Bets and Picks for Today: Two Premier Matchups Headline Thursday's Slate

The third day of the 2025-26 NBA season brings two marquee matchups. The defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder open on the road in a Finals rematch against the Indiana Pacers, while the Denver Nuggets and Golden State Warriors headline the nightcap in a battle between two elite Western Conference contenders.

With oddsmakers still adjusting early in the season, tonight’s short slate is full of betting value. Whether you’re browsing sports betting apps or taking advantage of sportsbook promotions, here are the best NBA bets today.

Game Lines

Oklahoma City Thunder -7.5 at Indiana Pacers

🏀 (-110 via BetMGM) 📈

Although emotions will be high in Indiana as this NBA Finals rematch takes place, the Thunder should have no problem winning this one with the talent gap.

Thunder vs Pacers – Under 230

🏀 (-105 via Caesars Sportsbook) 📈

Offenses struggle early in the season, especially when two good defenses match up. As such, taking the under in the one feels safe.

Denver Nuggets +110 at Golden State Warriors

🏀 (+110 via bet365) 📈

The Nuggets have the talent to win an NBA Championship this season, and are seemingly being undervalued on the road against the Warriors in their opener. This is a phenomenal underdog bet to take advantage of before sportsbooks start to adjust. Make sure to leverage bet365's early-season promo codes to maximize this underdog play even more.

Nuggets vs Warriors – Over 233.5

🏀 (-105 via BetMGM) 📈

Both of these offenses have tremendous firepower, so expect the game to become a shootout and cash the over.

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Player Props

Pascal Siakam Over 19.5 Points

🏀 (-117 via Caesars Sportsbook) 📈

The primary piece for the Pacers with Tyrese Haliburton out, expect Siakam to average 20+ points this season for the eighth year in a row, which is why this is an easy over to take.

Cason Wallace Over 8.5 Points

🏀 (-125 via Caesars Sportsbook) 📈

An underrated piece who is overshadowed on a loaded OKC roster, Wallace is easily a top-six player on the Thunder and will get the shot opportunities needed to score more than eight points tonight.

Luguentz Dort Over 2.5 Made Threes

🏀 (+158 via BetMGM) 📈

After going 0-for-8 on opening night, Dort will likely turn things around and have a huge shooting performance today. That's sort of who he is as a shooter, but his inconsistency is worth taking a gamble on.

Bruce Brown Over 0.5 Made Threes

🏀 (+150 via Caesars Sportsbook) 📈

Brown is back in Denver and should thrive in the corners. It could take just one shot for this over to hit.

Al Horford Over 6.5 Points

🏀 (-122 via bet365) 📈

He's still learning a new team, but Horford can score from all over the floor, so scoring seven or more points seems very feasible.

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Today’s Best Parlay

💰 Combined Parlay Odds: +418

• Nikola Jokic to Record a Triple-Double 
  • 🏀 (+190 via BetMGM) 📈
• Aaron Gordon Over 22 Points + Rebounds + Assists
  • 🏀 (-124 via Caesars Sportsbook) 📈

Jokic is the best player in the world and is a walking triple-double, while Gordon is one of the most impactful players in the NBA. If the Nuggets are able to take care of business tonight, these two players will play a huge role.

With the Thunder and Nuggets both in action, tonight’s slate features two of the NBA’s premier teams in statement spots. Early-season games offer hidden value while sportsbooks are still calibrating their numbers, making this an ideal time to capitalize using top sports betting apps.

Lock in these best NBA bets today and take advantage of current sportsbook promotions before the market adjusts.

All Odds as of 11:59 p.m. ET on Oct. 22

Mandatory Photo Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images