NBA Player Props Today: 3 Best NBA Best Bets and Odds October 24

The NBA is back, and there's a massive slate of games to bet on tonight!

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It's been an exciting yet chaotic opening week in the NBA. In the midst of a mafia-linked poker scheme involving Chauncey Billups and betting fraud by Terry Rozier, performances have not disappointed!

There have been two double-overtime games so far. Aaron Gordon dropped a career-high 50 points, and Steph Curry exploded for 42 points. On opening night broadcast on NBC, Alperen Şengün dropped 39 points and 11 rebounds, while counterpart Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 35 points. We've seen additional brilliant performances from Jimmy Butler III (31 points), Luka Dončić (43 points, 12 rebounds), Victor Wembanyama (40 points, 15 rebounds), and more.

The NBA is SO back!

Old School Matchup: Celtics vs Knicks

With 12 games scheduled for Friday, there are some key matchups ahead. The Boston Celtics (0-1) will face the New York Knicks (1-0, 1-0 home) in a rival showdown in the Big Apple. In a rematch of the 2025 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals, it was the Knicks who defeated Boston. Set to air on Amazon Prime Video, the Knicks are popular to win the NBA Finals (+1200). Now they face a Jayson Tatum-less Celtics as 3.5-point spread favorites at Madison Square Garden.

Set to take place in The Crescent City, the New Orleans Pelicans (0-1) will host the San Antonio Spurs (1-0, 1-0 away) in their first home game of the season. Considered a highly anticipated matchup, this features two of the brightest stars of the future, Zion Williamson and Victor Wembanyama. Following an opening night victory over the Dallas Mavericks, the Spurs are -186 moneyline favorites on the road tonight.

In the wild, wild west, the Minnesota Timberwolves (1-0, 1-0 away) will square off against the Los Angeles Lakers (0-1, 0-1 home) in LA. Featuring two of the NBA's top stars in Anthony Edwards and Luka Dončiċ, the Lakers are slim 1.5-point spread underdogs at home. Coming off a near triple-double, Dončiċ is set to lead a LeBron-less Lakers, while Edwards is coming off a 41-point, seven-rebound opening night performance against the Portland Trail Blazers. It's the first time these two teams have met since Minnesota defeated LA 4-1 in the first round of the 2025 playoffs.

While many storylines and matchups lie ahead, let's get into the betting odds, schedule, and bets!

NBA FanDuel Betting Odds And Schedule For Friday, October 24

If you are here to bet on the NBA with Ballislife, welcome!

I swept and finished a perfect 3-0 in my first article of the season, so let's keep the streak going!

Starting at 6:30 p.m. ET, the Bucks and Raptors will square off on NBA League Pass in Milwaukee. With the games staggered, the Hawks vs. Magic and Cavaliers vs. Nets matchups will air on League Pass at 7:00 p.m. ET and 7:30 p.m. ET, respectively.

Featured on Amazon Prime Video is the old-school clash between the Celtics and Knicks at 7:30 p.m. ET. The remaining four games will begin at 8 p.m. ET, and the last primetime showdown on Amazon Prime Video will feature the Timberwolves and Lakers at 10 p.m. ET.

In this article, you will find my three best NBA bets, featuring popular player prop picks, spread bets, and predictions.   Let's break down the betting odds and my best predictions for the Friday, October 24, NBA matchups! You can find all my best bets at FanDuel Sportsbook.

Are you looking to bet on NBA player props all season long? Here at Ballislife Bets, we've gathered a complete list of the best sports betting offers here.

NBA BEST BETS (via FanDuel Sportsbook)

• Alperen Şegün 27+ Points + Assists (-121 DraftKings0
• Jalen Brunson OVER 2.5 Made Threes (+124 FanDuel)
• Houston Rockets -6.5 (-110 FanDuel)

NBA Best Bets For Friday, October 24

Player Prop Bet #1: Alperen Șengün

Alperen Şengün 2025—2025 NBA Stats

GP: 62 | PPG: 26.6 | FG: 52.7 % | FT: 83.9 % | 3PT: 43 % | REB: 6.0 | AST: 4.2 | STL: 0.8 | BLK: 1.2

• 27+  Points + Assists (-121 DraftKings)

My first best bet for today, I placed one unit on Houston Rockets center Alperen Şengün to record 27+ points and assists against the Detroit Pistons.

Şengün showed his dominance in the Rockets' 125-124 season opener loss against the reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder. Although the game went into double overtime, Şengün finished with 39 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists, and two steals. In 49 minutes, he shot 12-24 from the field, 5-8 from three, and 10-11 from the free-throw line.

While it came off as sloppy at first, it's evident that head coach Ime Udoka plans to utilize Şengün as a playmaker this season. After all, the Rockets did lose veteran Fred VanVleet to a season-ending injury. In fact, there were several possessions where Şengün took the ball up on opening night.

Is Alperen Şengün an NBA MVP Candidate?

While Kevin Durant headlines the Rockets, it was Şengün who led the team with 24 field goal attempts and 49 minutes. Neither Chet Holgrem nor Isaiah Hartenstein could stop him. Tonight, he should feast against a healthy Jalen Duren and the Pistons.

I'll admit, I was wrong in my previous article. Şengün is very much an outside threat, and proved that with five 3-pointers last game. Aside from Duren, there isn't a ton of size behind him. And we saw this in the season opener, where the Bulls defeated the Pistons, 115-111.

In the matchup, Bulls center Nikola Vucevic, who's been at the center of trade rumors, exploded for 28 points and 14 rebounds. Shooting 11-18 from the field, Vucevic hit 4-of-6 3-pointers.

Final NBA Player Prop Betting Prediction: Alperen Şengün 27+ Points + Assists (-121 DraftKings)

Coming off 39 points and seven assists, Şengün has scored at least 26+ points in three of the last four outings against the Pistons. That's where I think this line is a steal. Now he gets a Detroit team that allows the 19th most points to centers.

I'm not sure if Alperen Şengün has turned into Steph Curry, but I am thoroughly impressed. He should have a great matchup against Duren, who possessed a ton of size. However, his defense is still a bit leaky.

• I'm taking Alperen Şengün to record 27+ points and assists tonight. Houston gets their home opener tonight, and Şengün is coming off 46 PAs! Given his history with the Pistons and this year's season opener, go with Şengün.

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Player Prop Bet #2: Jalen Brunson

Jalen Brunson 2025—2026 NBA Stats

GP: 62 | PPG: 26.6 | FG: 52.7 % | FT: 83.9 % | 3PT: 43 % | REB: 6.0 | AST: 4.2 | STL: 0.8 | BLK: 1.2

• OVER 2.5 Made Threes (+124 FanDuel)

My second-best bet for tonight: I placed one unit on New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson to record over 2.5 made threes against the Boston Celtics.

In New York's impressive 119-111 season opener over the Cleveland Cavaliers, Jalen Brunson scored 23 points on 5-18 field goal shooting. Although just 1-9 from the field, the Cavaliers are known for their stingy defense.

However, the Celtics are not this year, however.

This Is A Different Celtics Team Without Jayson Tatum

Boston lost a big chunk of their defensive identity with the departures of Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday. In the starting backcourt is Anfernee Simons, who's not well known for his defense. Derrick White, however, is an All-Defensive candidate.  Above all, superstar and two-way standout Jayson Tatum is out with an Achilles injury.

In the Celtics' 117-116 home-opener loss to the 76ers, bettors saw Tyrese Maxey explode for 40 points and seven 3-pointers. Next to him, rookie of the year candidate VJ Edgecomb went 5-13 from beyond the arc. While the Knicks have more options and depth, that was very telling. As a team, the 76ers shot 16-40 (40 %) from three against Boston.

Although Brunson is coming off a dreadful shooting performance, I'm encouraged that he tied OG Anunoby for a team-high nine 3-pointers. Leading the team in field goal attempts, he faces a Celtics team that he's cleared this line in seven of the last nine games against.

Final NBA Player Prop Betting Prediction: Jalen Brunson OVER 2.3 Made Threes (+124 FanDuel)

Over the last nine games against Boston, Brunson has averaged 3.3 3-point attempts. A shifty guard, Brunson should feast against a vastly different Celtics squad. Aside from White, Simons, and Payton Pritchard, guard depth is slim.

• I'm taking Jalen Brunson to record over 2.5 made 3-pointers tonight.  He could carve out a bigger role, especially if Josh Hart, OG Anunoby, and Karl-Anthony Towns are unable to suit up.

Spread Bet: Detroit Pistons vs Houston Rockets

• Houston Rockets -6.5 (-110 FanDuel)

My third best bet for today, I placed one unit on the Houston Rockets to cover the 6.5-point spread against the Detroit Pistons.

After acquiring Kevin Durant in the offseason, the Rockets impressed in their 125-124 double-overtime loss against the OKC Thunder. To be fair, they were ONE point away from defeating the reigning champs!

Holding the largest lead of the night with 12 points, the Rockets didn't shoot particularly well; however, neither did the Thunder. Shooting 44.3 percent from the field and 28.2 percent from three, the Rockets dominated on the rebounds and free-throw line. Ultimately, the 25 turnovers were a problem, which they should clean up tonight.

Why The Rockets Can Cover The Spread

As mentioned, the Pistons have Jalen Duren at center, but coming in hot are Alperen Șengün and Steven Adams. Defeating the Thunder on the offensive boards, it was Kevin Durant and Șengün that combined for 62 points!

In case you missed it, this is the Pistons team that went from a historically bad team to the No. 6 playoff seed last season. Led by Cade Cunningham, this team made changes with the addition of Duncan Robinson in the offseason.

There's no question the Pistons are a young, up-and-coming team under head coach J.B. Bickerstaff. However, they will be extremely short-handed tonight. In fact, Caris LeVert is listed as questionable, and Marcus Sasser is out.

Final NBA Betting Prediction: Houston Rockets -6.5 (-110 FanDuel)

But let's face it. They lost to Chicago 115-111 on the road, and Detroit shot just 44.3 percent from the floor and 29.2 percent from three. Ronald Holland II and Javonte Green combined for 39 bench points, and Cunningham, Ausar Thompson, and Jalen Duren combined for 49 points.

Both the Pistons and Rockets were top-10 defensive teams, and with that said, I'm not expecting a high-scoring affair tonight.

• With a home game tonight, I'll take the Rockets to cover against the defending champs over a Pistons team that couldn't cover a 2.5-favorable spread against the Bulls. While I'm not sleeping on the Pistons, they are banged up. Houston is the superior, healthier team on paper.  6.5 feels too slim a margin to me, especially for a Rockets team that's 7-3 against the Pistons over the last 10 games.