NBA Best Bets & Expert Picks Today: Basketball Predictions for Friday, Oct. 23

It's the first Friday night of the NBA regular season, and my NBA best bets today tip off at 7 p.m. ET, with Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves visiting Paolo Banchero and the Orlando Magic.

I also feature a pair of player props for Grizzlies vs. Warriors and Clippers vs. Lakers, which both tip off at 10 p.m. ET. I expect Walker Kessler to continue to dominate down low, while Stephen Curry should see more minutes tonight with just a 3.5-point spread in San Francisco.

NBA best bets: Player props & ATS picks today (Oct. 23)

See all of our experts' NBA picks based on the latest NBA odds.

Total wagered: 3.88 units | Max profit: 3.5 units

Best NBA bet today

Timberwolves vs. Magic prediction: Timberwolves -1.5 (+105)

The Magic have been getting too much respect from the market. I was all over Hawks +3.5 in Orlando's home opener, and after seeing how dangerous the Timberwolves were in Miami, I don't believe Minnesota -1.5 should be available at plus money.

The Magic allowed 132 points to the Hawks in their home opener, and the Hawks had a lower offensive rating last season (115.0) than the Timberwolves (115.6). With LaMelo Ball and Jonathan Kuminga playing 1 through 3 alongside Edwards, teams should continue to struggle to send help defenders at Edwards, which will only help Minnesota's offense remain dangerous.

Play to: -1.5 (-106)

More NBA picks & player props for Friday

Follow all of our NBA analysis and expert predictions this season.

Clippers vs. Lakers prediction: Walker Kessler Over 24.5 points + rebounds (-125)

Kessler had a historic night as a Lakers center in his Purple and Gold debut, finishing with 26 points, nine rebounds and two blocks on 12-of-12 shooting from the field.

Now, I'm not expecting him to put up those numbers again, but he has a great matchup against the Clippers. Against the Kings in their home opener, the Clippers started Rui Hachimura and Isaiah Jackson at the 4 and the 5, and they're both just 6-foot-8.

Kessler is 7-foot-2 and put up historic numbers while primarily being guarded by Draymond Green, who is 6-foot-6 but has been selected to nine All-Defensive teams. I'm sure Kessler can put up 16 and 9 against Hachimura and Jackson.

Play to: Over 25.5 (-104)

Grizzlies vs. Warriors prediction: Stephen Curry Over 24.5 points (-120)

I had Curry Under 24.5 points in my NBA best bets for Oct. 21, and while it cashed - he finished with just 23 points on the night - my read on that game wasn't great.

Curry had 20 points in the first half, and I was bailed out by the Lakers blowing out the Warriors, which, in all fairness, was part of my handicap, so Curry played just 7:31 in the second half.

Moving on to today, the Warriors are just a 3.5-point betting favorite over the Grizzlies. So, not only should Curry continue to stay aggressive (and productive), but it's also unlikely that this matchup will result in a blowout, meaning we should get full minutes from Curry tonight.

Play to: Over 24.5 (-130) or Over 25.5 (-106)