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NBA: Straight Bettings Odds & Stats for October 25-26

Sara Jane Gamelli 4117 October 25, 2023 No Comments

Written and edited by

Sara Jane Gamelli

The NBA season is officially back, there are twelve games on the slate today, and two tomorrow. There are several key matchups, including Celtics versus the Knicks, and Victor Wembanyama's rookie debut against the Mavericks. In this article, we will break down the odds, statistics, trends, and our best predictions for our best plays of the day. If you're looking to bet on the NBA, the Celtics vs. Knicks and Mavericks vs. Spurs matchups will air on ESPN. If you're looking to watch all of the matchups, NBA League pass is available. If you are looking for the best betting odds, here is information to know:

Celtics Moneyline (-166)

At 7 p.m. ET, the Knicks and Celtics will matchup at Madison Square Garden. The Celtics are the favorites to win the NBA title next to the Milwaukee Bucks and will look to make their 10th straight post season run. With Boston management all in on banner 18, they overhauled their entire roster. The addition of Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis will give the Celtics multiple two-way defenders and scoring options next to Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Splitting the preseason series 1-1 with the New York Knicks, New York is 6-4 in their last matchup, including three straight wins dating back to last season. With the Knicks mostly retaining their main core, management exercised Josh Hart's player option, along with Miles Mcbride's. The signing of Donte DiVincenzo will give the Knicks much needed wing depth behind star Jalen Brunson.

The Celtics finished second in the Eastern Conference at (57-25), and the Knicks, 47-35. One win away from the NBA Finals, the Celtics will start their opening night with Kristaps Porzingis, and Derrick White and Jrue Holiday in the backcourt. Veteran Al Horford should provide ample minutes off the bench for the Celtic's frontcourt. A very top-heavy team, Boston will be hard to guard on both the weak and strong side of the ball. Their top 6 include Derrick White, Jrue Holiday, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Kristaps Porzingis, and Al Horford. That is an extremely deep top 6, who can score, defend, and stretch the floor. It will be interesting to see how Porzingis and Tatum hold up against the Knicks running a double big man lineup (Julius Randle and Mitchell Robinson).

Why I took the Celtics Moneyline

I took the Celtics Moneyline and would be comfortable taking them at -3.5 (115). The Knicks and Celtics ranked top seven against the spread last season, and I do expect tonight's game to be fairly close. Betting wise, the Celtics finished 45-36-1, and the Knicks 44-34-1 against the spread. Last season, the Knicks made their second playoff appearance since 2012-2013, and won the series 4-2 against Boston. The Celtics finished second in offensive rating last season (118.98), and third in defensive rating (112.28). Although they lost defensive juggernauts in Marcus Smart and Grant Williams, the Celtics gained rim protection and a perimeter defense. Last season, the Knicks finished 19th in defensive efficiency (115.83), and 4th in offensive ratings (118.86). With not many changes made this offseason, the Knicks will really have to step up their defense to stop the newly branded Celtics.

The Celtics finished 25-16 on the road last season, and the Knicks, 23-18. The Knicks played extremely aggressive against the Celtics, including a 131-129 overtime win in March. The Celtics did sneak a win at the Garden in November last year. With the Knicks building off a successful season, they did finish ten games behind the Celtics in the Atlantic. With one of the worst records last year, I am full fading the Knicks at home storyline. It may take the Celtics a while to develop chemistry, however, based off what I saw in the preseason, they have an elite squad. If you're planning to bet, I'll take the Celtics Moneyline here.

Money Line

*Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook*

Celtics: -170
Knicks: +142

Over/Under: 223.5

Over: -105
Under: -115

Spread:

Celtics: -3.5 (-115)
Knicks: +3.5 (-105)

Injury Report

Boston Celtics

None

New York Knicks

None

Head-to-Head last 10 Matchups

Win/Loss (Moneyline)

Celtics: 4-6
Knicks: 6-4

Against the Spread (ATS)

Celtics: 4-6
Knicks: 6-4

Totals (Under/Overs

Over: 6-4
Under: 4-6

Pelicans +1 (-112)

The New Orleans Pelicans finished 10th, and barely snuck into the play in tournament last season. Finishing 42-40, don't let that record deter you from betting on this Pelicans team. New Orleans sensation Zion Williamson only played 29 games due to a hamstring injury. In his 28 games, Williamson averaged 26 points, 7 rebounds, and 4.5 assists. Although the former No. 1 pick has only played 35 percent of his games in his career, he makes a huge impact when on the floor.

The New Orleans have a talented core trio between CJ McCollum, Brandon Ingram, and Zion Williamson. Just playing ten games together, now is the time to see how these stars mesh. To make it worse, Ingram suffered a toe injury that kept him out for nearly months, along with several of their bench players. The Pelicans sat third in the Western Conference at 23-14 when Zion Williams was shut down due to injury.

Yes, New Orleans suffered setbacks, and conceded to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the play-in tournament. When healthy, this is a very talented Pelicans team, who drafted Jordan Hawkins with the 14th pick overall. Although bench players Jose Alvarado and Trey Murphy III will sit this one out to injury, their starting core is ready to go.

With Ja Morant suspended for the first 25 games of the season, Memphis will roll with Marcus Smart and Desmond Bane in the backcourt. It was recently announced, the Grizzlies center Steven Adams will have season ending knee surgery. Adams was a top tier offensive rebounder, in which Memphis will start Xavier Tillman Sr. in his place. With Brandon Clarke and Santi Aldama out for tonight's matchup, Memphis will be extremely thin at the front court position.

Why the Pelicans will cover

Due to injuries to their big men, the Grizzlies will have the challenge of guarding Jonas Valanciunas and Zion Williamson. With Ziare Williams starting, Memphis will be counting on a player that only averaged 5.7 points, and less than 20 minutes per game last season. With Morant out, it is unclear how Smart, Rose, and Bane will mesh on the court.

These two teams are 5-5 against the spread, and the Grizzlies are 6-4 in the last ten against New Orleans. The Memphis Grizzlies did finish 2nd in defensive rating (112) last season, although it's unclear how things will pan out this season. With a record 39-42-1 against the spread last year, I decided to shop the lines, and take New Orleans +1.

The New Orleans Pelicans will travel to Memphis against a team who only allowed six losses on their home court. For the Pelicans, they finished 15-26 on the road, and 7-3 to end the regular season. Given the injuries to the Grizzlies, there is a clear mismatch here. If you're betting on the NBA, I'll take Williamson, McCollum, and Ingram to cover tonight.

Money Line

Pelicans: -110
Grizzlies: -110

Over/Under: 224.5

Over: -112
Under: -108

Spread:

Pelicans: +1 (-115)
Grizzlies: -1 (-105)

Injury Report

New Orleans Pelicans

PG- Jose Alvarado: OUT (Ankle)
SG- Trey Murphy III: OUT (Knee)
SF- Naji Marshall: OUT (Knee)

Memphis Grizzlies

SF- Santi Aldama: OUT (Ankle)
PF-Brandon Clarke: OUT (Achilles)
C- Steven Adams: OUT (Knee)

Head-to-Head last 10 Matchups

Win/Loss (Moneyline)

Pelicans: +1 (-115)
Grizzlies: -1 (-105)

Against the Spread (ATS)

Pelicans: 4-6
Grizzlies: 6-4

Totals (Under/Over)

Over: 6-4
Under: 4-6

Milwaukee Bucks Moneyline (-225)

The Milwaukee Bucks finished 1st in the Eastern Conference at 58-24 last season, although the end of their season didn't go as planned. With injuries to Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bucks couldn't get past Miami in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Two years removed from an NBA Championship, Milwaukee recently acquired start Damian Lillard, and signed Antetokounmpo to a three-year extension. Although the Lillard trade involved the departure of guard Jrue Holiday, the Bucks added Malik Beasley, and kept their core of Khris Middleton, Brook Lopez, and Bobby Portis. The Bucks are favored to win the NBA Title at +400, along with the Boston Celtics.

The Philadelphia 76ers similarly were a top team, finishing third with a 54-38 record. After trading for star James Harden, Harden requested a trade this offseason, in which the 76ers still haven't found a proper suitor for. With the absence of Harden, the 76ers will fill the void with Patrick Beverly, Tyrese Maxey, Tobias, P.J. Tucker, and Joel Embiid. As talented as this team is, they will play under new coach Nick Nurse, not knowing if the Harden drama will affect the team this year.

Why the Bucks will win

The 76ers finished with an away record of 25-16, and the Bucks with only nine losses at home. Adding Damian Lillard will not only provide a consistent scoring option for Milwaukee, but Lillard and Antetokounmpo could be the best pick and roll duo in the league. Given this team has kept their core championship players, they were a team they won 82 percent of the time when favored last season. Last year, the 76ers were third in the league in defensive rating (118.87), which will be in question without Harden for tomorrow's matchup.

In their last ten games played head-to-head, the Bucks are 7-3 against the 76ers, 6-4 against the spread. Their most recent game came in April, where Milwaukee blew out Philadelphia, 117-104. With the 76ers the best team to cover the spread last year at 48-34-0, I will full fade that, as we watch the 76ers form a team with or without Harden. Last year these two teams split 3-3 a piece, in which the Bucks went 1-2 at home. If you're betting on the NBA, the addition of the Bucks separates themselves that much more from Philadelphia.

Money Line

7ers: +185
Bucks: -225

Over/Under: 225

Over: -110
Under: -110

Spread:

76ers: +5.5 (-108)
Bucks: -5.5 (-112)

Injury Report

Philadelphia 76ers

SG- James Harden: OUT (Personal)
G- Terquavion Smith: Day-To-Day
PF- Filip Petrusev: Day-To-Day

Milwaukee Bucks

F- Bobby Portis: Day-To-Day
PG- Cameron Payne: Day-To-Day

Head-to-Head last 10 Matchups

Win/Loss (Moneyline)

76ers: 3-7
Bucks: 7-3

Against the Spread (ATS)

76ers: 4-6
Bucks: 6-4

Totals (Under/Over)

Over: 5-5
Under: 5-5

Bonus: Victor Wembanyama O 17.5 Points

Stay tuned for more NBA betting related articles. Click here

Sara Jane Gamelli is a full-time Sportswriter at Ballislife, and Sports Content Creator on Twitch and TikTok. She has a focus on the NBA, WNBA, NCAA Basketball, and the NFL. Sara Jane currently resides in Connecticut/NYC area with her Cat and Dog. SJ has her undergraduate degree from the University of Connecticut in Economics, with a minor in business administration.

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