The 2024 NBA season is upon us and Fantasy Alarm is providing all the fantasy, NBA DFS, and up-to-the-minute news throughout the season. This article is focused on NBA predictions, specifically the NBA best bets of the day.

 

 

 

Last year this NBA picks article produced plus units and several withdrawn units, as that is the focus of this column… winning you money. Setting a betting goal and achieving it with daily wins. The record will be kept throughout the season and remember to check in daily for winning NBA best bets.

NBA Picks, Predictions & Best Bets - Tuesday, 10/22

The focus of today’s NBA predictions column is NBA opening day. There are two wonderful games between four teams that were in the 2024 playoffs this summer. 

The reigning champion Boston Celtics host the new look New York Knicks to begin the season. Then the Los Angeles Lakers host the makeover Minnesota Timberwolves in a Western Conference showdown.

 

 

 

Knicks vs. Celtics Prediction: Al Horford Under 6.5 Rebounds (-160 at DraftKings)

Al Horford was speculated to possibly retire, but also stated he plans on playing until he is 40. The 38-year-old former 3rd overall pick is a champion, and perhaps not as driven as before, but the heart of a competitor rarely allows for poor performances.

Horford is listed as the starting center, and deservingly so with Kristaps Porzingis out to begin the season. Horford will be with Boston teammates and Celtics fans to lift the championship banner into the rafters. 

Arguably the best Celtics team of all-time, and the entire Celtics team will have emotions that only they will know. However, Luke Kornet, the backup center, could play more minutes than Horford with those same emotions.

Horford could be starting on seniority, as he only played one pre-season game and will be on a minutes restriction to begin the season. Horford managed to achieve 7 rebounds just once in the Celtics last eleven regular season games.

My NBA best bets will trust the under on a bankroll building bet tonight.

 

 

 

Timberwolves vs. Lakers Prediction: Anthony Davis Over 12.5 Rebounds (+100 at DraftKings)

Anthony Davis takes this portion of NBA best bets for opening night, and for good reason. Davis played the most games in a season since 2017-18 and embraced being a center. He is one of the best rebounders in the league and healthy to begin the 2024 season. He happens to be playing against one of the best defensive rebounders in the league though.

Rudy Gobert of the Minnesota Timberwolves is an all-time defensive player, and a tough big for other bigs. He is an excellent defensive rebounder, and not a perimeter big man. That is to say he gets offensive rebounds at a higher rate due to being close to the rim. 

Davis is an elite champion, a member of the NBA Diamond Team (75th top players at the 75th year). He had 13 or more rebounds in five of his last seven regular season games and should earn 13 rebounds tonight… and most nights. 

Even against Gobert expect a healthy Davis to cover the over on the rebounding prop; it is opening night, there will be several missed shots due to tired legs, and Davis has elite rebounding skills.

 

 

 

Best NBA Prop Bets & Other Picks - Tuesday, 10/22

Los Angeles Lakers ML + Boston Celtics ML (+182 Parlay at DraftKings) *0.5 UNIT

With two games to begin the season, a simple straight bet parlay begins the season. Riding the home teams to win seems like a smart play for NBA best bets, but even so 0.5 units are recommended as a wager.

The Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers both had very few changes to their rosters as they look to build on the solid foundation of future Hall of Fame players. The New York Knicks and Minnesota Timberwolves made massive changes to their starting roster and key bench pieces. 

Oddly enough the Timberwolves and Knicks made the largest trade splash of the off-season. It could take time for each team to find their rhythm.

The Celtics and Lakers have rowdy fan bases and decades of proving the willingness to put their teams in position to have great starts to the season. That factored in with their team’s rosters having more chemistry puts the parlay on victories for the home teams.

 

 

 

Bet Smart, Be Lucky - Iggy

*All odds accurate at time of writing and NBA best bets to be placed at 1 unit unless specified otherwise