NBA Preseason Odds, Picks & Predictions: Thursday (10/17)
The 2024-25 NBA regular season is nearly here. What better way to get ready for the NBA regular season than to start your sports betting during the NBA preseason? That’s right, you can bet on the NBA preseason! Sure, there will be more opportunities to bet on the NBA regular season, but check out the new names and faces of the 2024-25 NBA season and help keep things interesting by placing some bets on the NBA preseason. We’ll guide you through the NBA preseason with picks and predictions for each and every game. Let’s dive into our top NBA preseason picks and predictions for Thursday’s games!
NBA Preseason Odds, Picks & Predictions: Thursday
Check out our top NBA preseason picks and predictions for today’s games.
Hornets vs. Pacers
You Hornets must feel good about drafting Tidjane Salaun with the No. 6 overall pick in this year's NBA Draft. The rookie dropped 13 points and secured eight rebounds in 37 minutes after shooting 3-for-8 from downtown. As of now, it looks like Salaun could actually start for the Hornets this season. But while I like the Hornets' starting lineup, the bench was weak against the Knicks last time. Only Tre Mann delivered consistently, and the Hornets still played nine guys off the bench in the 111-105 loss. On the other hand, the Pacers have five players listed on the injury report, including T.J. McConnell, Pascal Siakam, Aaron Nesmith, and Tyrese Haliburton. If none of those four play, I got to roll with the Hornets at +5.5 (-125).
Pick: Hornets +5.5 (-125)
-Jason Radowitz
Bucks vs. Mavericks
Dallas is nothing without Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. The Mavericks tried to sneak in a game against the Clippers without Irving and Doncic and lost 110-96. The Mavericks shot 41.7%, allowing the Clippers to hit more than 50% of shots. Dallas is now 0-2 in preseason and still listing Doncic and Irving as game-time decisions. But it's more unlikely those two play. On the other hand, the Bucks are very weak on the bench. In the most recent game against the Bulls, Milwaukee had just Bobby Portis score in double figures. A.J. Johnson saw 21 minutes and went 2-for-15 from the field. That's not going to cut it. I'll take the Under 217.5 (-110).
Pick: Under 217.5 (-110)
-Jason Radowitz
Spurs vs. Rockets
The Spurs have a lot of depth. It'll be interesting to see if Victor Wembanyama can seriously lead the Spurs into the playoffs and beyond. Against the Heat in the most recent preseason matchup, the Spurs shot 55.7% from the field but only 30% from three. San Antonio was also weak at the foul line but can score at a high rate inside the arc. That said, the Rockets played their best defensive game of the preseason against the Pelicans last game. The Rockets held the Pelicans to 37.5% from the field and added 15 more rebounds in the win. Houston's lineup is getting tighter and more intentional. So we'll ride with the Rockets tonight at -5.5 (-115).
Pick: Rockets -5.5 (-115)
-Jason Radowitz
Hawks vs. Thunder
It will be the final tune-up for both Atlanta and Oklahoma City on Thursday night. After the Hawks made up a previously scheduled game on Wednesday, I don’t expect many of their star players to get minutes here and if they do, it won’t be many. Oklahoma City is in a similar situation. They played on Tuesday where their starters played 20+ minutes a piece and they blew out Denver 124-94. Regardless of who the Thunder have put on the floor, they’ve been lighting up the scoreboard. They’re averaging 116.5 PPG in the preseason and are going up against an Atlanta team that seems disinterested in playing much defense this preseason. Last week they were in a 131-130 barn burner with the Pacers and they followed it up yesterday with a 120-111 game against the Heat. What happens when an unstoppable force meets an easily moveable object? A lot of points. That’s what we’re going to see here as both of these teams will look to just get into next week’s season openers healthy.
Pick: Over 220.5 (-105)
-Ryan Rodeman
Lakers vs. Suns
The Lakers are struggling right now. The starting lineup, outside Anthony Davis, looked lost against the Warriors in a 111-97 defeat. Rui Hachimura shot 5-for-14, LeBron James went 3-for-9, D'Angelo Russell shot 2-for-10, and Austin Reaves went 3-for-8 in limited time. Dalton Knecht will eventually start for the Lakers. He's the only bright spot on the bench. Meanwhile, the Suns’ second unit took it to Denver's first unit and added a 118-114 win over the Nuggets on the road. No matter who plays tonight's game for the Suns, you can trust they'll have more depth and potential down the stretch. Give me the Suns at -5.5 (-105).
Pick: Suns -5.5 (-105)
-Jason Radowitz
Kings vs. Clippers
The Kings have dropped to 0-4 in preseason play. They've had a couple of close games but also some blowout losses. That said, the Kings used their starting lineup with regular minutes and rotations and still lost on the road to the Utah Jazz, 117-114. Domantas Sabonis, DeMar DeRozan, Keegan Murray, and De'Aaron Fox all scored in double figures, and the team lost to Utah. On the other hand, the Clippers are 3-1 and have won three consecutive games in preseason. The defense has been tremendous throughout this three-game run, which already has me sold that the Clippers will add another win at home tonight. I'm on the Clippers at -3.5 (-115).
Pick: Clippers -3.5 (-115)
-Jason Radowitz