LeBron James and the Philadelphia 76ers made a statement with a win in their season opener. While they look to improve to 2-0, I'm fading Philadelphia and backing the Cleveland Cavaliers to start their season 1-0 in my NBA moneyline picks.
The 76ers proved me wrong by beating the New York Knicks, a team with excellent lineup continuity and familiarity, on Opening Night. Still, I'm willing to run back a moneyline fade of Philadelphia in its second game of the season.
Like the Knicks, the Cavaliers enter the season with chemistry on their side, along with established roles and familiarity within their lineup.
Given how the market is pricing this matchup, I'll fear the beard and back Cleveland on Thursday.
Here are my favorite NBA picks for Thursday, Oct. 22.
NBA moneyline picks: October 22
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76ers
NuggetsPercentages courtesy of Polymarket, one of our best prediction market apps.
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Expert NBA moneyline picks: October 22
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Philadelphia 76ers: 
Cavaliers
The Philadelphia 76ers opened the season by beating the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on ring night, showing promise with their new starting five. However, I don't expect a smooth upward trajectory, as this group still has plenty of chemistry to build and kinks to work out with so much star power on the floor.
Jarrett Allen is questionable for this matchup, but I don't think his status is as impactful here as it might be against other opponents.
Philadelphia will look to play small in certain lineups and push the pace. That could limit Allen's minutes, with Evan Mobley at center offering the Cleveland Cavaliers a better fit. The Cavaliers may also prefer Sam Merrill's shooting over deploying both bigs together.
At 42%, I'll back Cleveland, as I price the Cavaliers closer to a 45% underdog against the 76ers.
Denver Nuggets vs Oklahoma City Thunder: 
Thunder
We just saw what the Oklahoma City Thunder defense did to Victor Wembanyama, and now Nikola Jokic is next in line.
If the combination of Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein wasn't already enough to frustrate Jokic, adding minutes from Aday Mara and Alex Caruso gives the Thunder even more options. They have the personnel and defensive versatility to pressure Jokic and disrupt the Denver Nuggets' offensive flow.
A 74% probability is steep against another Western Conference contender, but my projections still see value, pricing Oklahoma City closer to 77% favorites on Thursday.
Today's NBA moneyline combo
Cavaliers
Thunder
Thursday's moneyline combo is pretty straightforward, with only two games on the slate. I like how this sets up with the Cavaliers as the underdog in the first leg.
If Cleveland delivers a green checkmark, we'll have plenty of trading opportunities with the Thunder taking the floor as 74% favorites. That could give us options to manage the combo once the Oklahoma City game goes live.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
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