The NBA is two days into the regular season, and there have already been some thrilling matchups. The Bucks were able to hold off the 76ers last night in a 90-88 battle, while the Clippers beat the Lakers to drop their record to 0-2. After a light night of action on Thursday, the NBA is back with 11 games to kick off the weekend. The early season presents bettors with opportunities for larger variance within the props market since there is only one game of regular-season data to factor into the lines. Let’s dive into the best NBA bets for Friday, Oct. 21.
Best NBA Bets Today: Game Tips & Betting Predictions
Jazz-Timberwolves Bet
The Utah Jazz travel to Minnesota fresh off a shocking win in their season opener over the Denver Nuggets. The Timberwolves took care of business in their home opener with a 115-108 win over the Thunder. Rudy Gobert led the team in scoring in his first game with Minnesota, scoring 23 points on 10-for-15 shooting. Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards had a night to forget, combining for 6-for-27 shooting from the field. Look for Towns to have a bounce-back performance on Friday against a Jazz squad that is expected to finish in the bottom half of the league.
While the spotlight will be on Gobert in an early-season matchup with his old team, the Timberwolves big men are poised to feast in the paint against Lauri Markkanen and Kelly Olynyk. Gobert finished last game with 15 shot attempts, doubling his average from last season (7.7) with the Jazz, so it will be interesting to watch how his role transforms within Minnesota’s offense throughout this season. However, the focus is on Towns in this matchup.
Oddsmakers have Towns’ point line set at 23.5 points for Friday night. He averaged 24.8 points per game at home last season and went over this line in 54% of his regular-season appearances. Towns saw a dip in shot attempts in their first game, with 10 attempts compared to last year’s average of 16.4 attempts, but expect him to be more involved against the Jazz.
There are a lot of points expected in this one, with the game total set at 228.5 points. Given the Timberwolves’ matchup advantage down low, bet on Towns to go over his point total on Friday.
Best NBA Bet for Today’s Game: Karl-Anthony Towns OVER 23.5 points
Bulls-Wizards Bet
Both teams are coming off victories in their season opener. DeMar DeRozan wasted no time stepping up to put the Bulls offense on his back, dropping 38 points in their first game without Zach LaVine. The Wizards took care of business on the road in Indiana, with a 114-107 victory on Wednesday. The Wizards will now travel back to Washington for their home opener on Friday night.
Bradley Beal and Kyle Kuzma led the way for the Wizard’s offense, combining for 45 points against the Pacers. Oddsmakers have Kuzma’s point total set at 17.5 points for Friday’s matchup. He finished their first game with 22 points on 8-for-19 shooting; 10 of his 19 shot attempts were from behind the arc. Kristaps Porzingis, Beal and Kuzma will share the offensive load for the Wizards this season. Kuzma is expected to improve on last year’s numbers, as he finished with 17.1 points per game. His production will come down to his 3-point effectiveness. He finished last season shooting 34% from downtown.
Kuzma had success against Chicago in both their matchups last season, dropping 21 points and 29 points to go along with a double-double in each outing. The Bulls allowed three players to score 18 or more points in their first matchup against Miami. The Heat lit them up from downtown, draining 14 3’s on 42% from beyond the arc.
Kuzma showed he was not afraid to put up attempts from deep to start the season, so if he has the same usage rate on Friday, expect another 20-point performance. Take Kuzma’s over on points in the home opener on Friday.
Best NBA Bet for Today’s Game: Kyle Kuzma OVER 17.5 points
