NBA Best Bets & Expert Picks Today: Basketball Predictions for Tuesday, Oct. 20
Basketball returns with a fantastic three-game opening slate on Tuesday as I offer my NBA best bets today for each matchup.
I feature a LeBron James player prop in his 76ers debut against the defending champion Knicks, alongside a best bet for tonight's Western Conference finals rematch in San Antonio.
NBA Best Bets: Player props & ATS picks today (Oct. 20)
See all of our experts' NBA picks based on the latest NBA odds.
| Matchup | Pick | Units |
|---|---|---|
| 76ers vs. Knicks | LeBron James Over 30.5 points + rebounds + assists (-105 via bet365) | 1 unit to profit 0.95 units |
| Celtics vs. Pistons | Pistons ML (+102 via DraftKings) | 0.5 units to profit 0.51 units |
| Thunder vs. Spurs | Under 232.5 (-110 via FanDuel) | 0.5 units to profit 0.46 units |
Total wagered: 2 units | Max profit: 1.92 units
Best NBA bet today
76ers vs. Knicks prediction: LeBron James Over 30.5 points + rebounds + assists (-105)
Only one basketball is available for a newly loaded 76ers squad, but LeBron James won't be a wallflower at Madison Square Garden. He's gone Over this combo prop total in each of his last five games at MSG. So even if his scoring is limited in his Philadelphia debut, he'll have a combined impact on the game.
As my best bet of the day, I'm wagering a full unit on this player prop. I bet bet365's 30.5 total in order to get -105 odds, compared to the -125 price tag on a 29.5 total at other sportsbooks.
⏰️ Set your alarm: 76ers vs. Knicks
- Tip: 7 p.m. ET
- Venue: Madison Square Garden (New York City)
- How to watch: NBC and Peacock
More NBA picks & player props for Tuesday
Follow all of our NBA analysis and expert predictions this season.
Celtics vs. Pistons prediction: Pistons ML (+102)
The Pistons were 32-9 at home a year ago, the third-best mark in the NBA, and won both their matchups against Boston in Detroit. After major offseason changes, including trading Jaylen Brown for Paul George, the Celtics will need time to figure out their new offensive identity.
The best sports betting sites treat this game as a toss-up, with DraftKings pricing the Pistons as a slight underdog. I bet half a unit at +102, but there's value in playing it down to -110. Reminder: this is a 3 p.m. ET tipoff.
⏰️ Set your alarm: Celtics vs. Pistons
- Tip: 3 p.m. ET
- Venue: Little Caesars Arena (Detroit)
- How to watch: NBC and Peacock
Thunders vs. Spurs prediction: Under 232.5 (-110)
These were two of the top three defenses by defensive efficiency last season. That stinginess has shown up in their matchups over the last two seasons. Six of the last eight regular-season meetings between the Thunder and Spurs have finished Under this projected total.
I'm comfortable betting a half-unit on Under 232.5 at FanDuel's -110 odds, but there's value down to -120 at that total.
⏰️ Set your alarm: Thunder vs. Spurs
- Tip: 9:30 p.m. ET
- Venue: Frost Bank Center (San Antonio)
- How to watch: NBC and Peacock
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