Both of Monday’s picks cashed, moving these best bets to 6-0 on the season. Wednesday presents a beautiful 10-game slate. Stay tuned to OddsShopper throughout the day to find the best lines when locking in NBA bets. Let’s dive into the best NBA prop bets for Wednesday, Oct. 26.
Best NBA Bets Today: Game Tips & Betting Predictions
Rockets-Jazz Bets
The Utah Jazz were handed their first loss of the season against the Rockets on Monday inside Vivint Arena. These two teams turn around and play once more in Utah on Wednesday. If the Jazz hope to have a chance at securing a victory, they will need to clean up the fouls and limit the number of opposing free throws.
Lauri Markkanen has impressed many around the league with his performance on his new squad, and conversations around the league have his name in the race for Most Improved Player. There is still plenty of season left, but through four games Markkanen is averaging 21.5 points, 8.8 rebounds and 3.0 assists, leading this team to a 3-1 record. When focusing on points props, it is smart to look for players with high usage rates who play a lot of minutes and take plenty of shots attempts. Markkanen leads the team in all three of these categories (usage, minutes, shot attempts).
These two teams have a recent history of high-scoring matchups. Both sides will score plenty of buckets, as the current total is 233 points. Markkanen’s point total is 19.5 points, and he has exceeded this number in two of their first four games. Folks may shy away from his over after seeing him drop 14 points versus the same team on Monday, but he went 0-for-6 from deep and should improve from beyond the arc against a poor perimeter defense. Houston’s defense is allowing opponents to shoot 40.8% from behind the arc and nearly 50% from the field. Markkanen has shown he is not afraid to put up attempts, so have confidence in taking his over.
Best NBA Prop Bet for Today’s Game: Lauri Markkanen OVER 19.5 Points
76ers-Raptors Bets
The 76ers look to build momentum off their first win of the season over the Pacers at home on Monday. Philadelphia will travel to Toronto to take on the 2-2 Raptors. Toronto may be without Scottie Barnes, who missed their last game due to an ankle injury. He is currently listed as questionable for tonight’s matchup. The 76ers come into this one with a healthy roster.
Joel Embiid ranks top five in usage and is the leader of the 76ers offense, averaging 26.8 points on 19.3 shot attempts. Toronto is allowing opponents to get to the free-throw line in bunches this season. Embiid has a favorable matchup tonight against Pascal Siakam, who is not a true center. Siakam can defend the interior well, but he will have his hands full in tonight’s matchup, especially if Barnes cannot suit up. Embiid ranks fifth in the league in free-throw attempts per game with 9.0. If Embiid can take advantage of his size down low, the points will add up quick from the free-throw line.
The 76ers played on the road twice against Toronto last season and Embiid exceeded 30 points in both those matchups. Embiid averaged over 28 points in each of the last two seasons. He should be well rested for tonight’s matchup after only playing 28 minutes against the Pacers on Monday. If Philadelphia wants to put together some momentum, they need to be a more cohesive unit. Doc Rivers needs James Harden to be the assist man while Embiid takes the lead scoring.
This line feels like it is set a point or two short. Bank on Embiid to see more minutes and shot attempts on Wednesday and to finish this game in the 28- to 32-point range.
Best NBA Prop Bet for Today’s Game: Joel Embiid OVER 27.5 Points
