NBA Point Spread Predictions For October 31 (Best 2-Team Options)

The NBA has a four-game slate on Halloween and even though it’s a relatively slow night for the association, there are two games that caught our eye and that we like for a two-gamer.

Phoenix Suns (3-1) vs L.A. Clippers (2-2)

• Time & Venue: 10:30 pm ET (Intuit Dome, Inglewood, Calif.)
• Spread to Take: L.A. Clippers +4.5

The Skinny on a Clippers' Cover:

"This is a rematch of the season opener for both clubs, where the new-look Clippers lost, 116-113, in overtime on the same court, as the Clippers covered a +4.5."

The Suns come in riding a two-game winning streak. Both of those wins were at home vs. the Dallas Mavericks (114-102) and an avenging victory over the L.A. Lakers (109-105), which handed Phoenix its only loss so far.

That game versus the Lakers on Oct. 28 was the Suns’ most recent game.

Bradley Beal Factor

Shooting guard Bradley Beal is listed as questionable for Thursday’s game due to an elbow strain on his right (shooting) elbow. Beal made 4-of-6 3-pointers and had 24 points in that overtime comeback victory vs. the Clippers on October 23, so his effectiveness will be key. If he’s not 100 percent (and he may not be) that’s a big factor in the Clippers’ covering.

Clippers’ Look To Bounce Back & Hold Lead

The Clippers took a brutal 106-105 loss to the lowly Portland Trailblazers on Wednesday night in a game in which L.A. was a big favorite (-8.5). The Clippers had two key shots blocked and missed three of four free throws down the stretch after holding a 102-99 lead.

• This will be the Clippers’ first back-to-back game of the season, but we don’t think they’ll be as sloppy against a team they already have faced.

The Clippers will have to do a better job of not fouling down the stretch vs. the Suns. The Clippers blew a 99-90 lead in that game, but we feel coach Tyronn Lue and company will make the adjustments and keep the score within two possessions right until the very end. This will be the game that the Clippers close out better and cover.

Milwaukee Bucks (1-3) vs Memphis Grizzlies (2-3)

• Time & Venue: 8 pm ET (FedEx Forum, Memphis, Tenn.)
• Spread to Take: Memphis +5.5

The Skinny on a Grizzlies Cover:

"The Grizzlies will look to close out a four-game home stand with a 2-2 mark."

The win vs. projected playoff club Orlando Magic on Oct. 26 was a great start to the home stand, but a 126-123 loss to Chicago in a game in which Memphis led by as many as 20 points hurt its early season momentum.

Losing on Wednesday night to Brooklyn, 119-106, is unacceptable for a team that has serious playoff aspirations.

Memphis’ Pace vs Bucks’ Defense

Memphis, similar to the Clippers, will look to right the ship on a back-to-back at home. Memphis has had four different leading scorers in five games, so it is looking for the right combination on the floor to pick up the offensive efficiency. Memphis will put up points, but it must cut back on the turnovers, as it had 22 vs. Brooklyn.

Memphis is looking to play at a faster offensive pace in 2024-25, and the Bucks will be the team to do that against with cleaner play, as Milwaukee is having chemistry issues and can’t stop anyone defensively (119 ppg).

More Than Bad Bucks Defense?

The Bucks miss wing Khris Middleton (out with injury) more than their fans expected and the loss of Patrick Beverley is also being felt in terms of his on-court and off-court grit and leadership.

This Bucks team is just not clicking and how many more games will it be until the chemistry between Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard (or lack of it) comes to the surface?

• The Greek Freak played on a recent back-to-back earlier in the week so his health (listed as probable) shouldn’t be an issue.

Grizzlies’ Recent CoversWhat is the pressing issue for Milwaukee (in addition to Ja Morant’s minutes picking up) is the fact Memphis has won five straight games against Milwaukee. The Grizzlies have covered in eight of the last 10 vs Milwaukee. With those stats in combined with Milwaukee’s slow start, taking a Memphis cover is sound here.