Tonight's three-game NBA slate begins with Cavaliers vs. Hawks at 8:00 p.m. ET, before the Trail Blazers and the Grizzlies cap the night at 10 p.m. ET.
Our NBA moneyline picks board lists every matchup in tipoff order for Thursday, Oct. 29. Find more betting analysis in our NBA picks.
NBA moneyline picks: Oct. 29
For help understanding Polymarket probabilities, see our odds calculator.
Hawks
Kings
GrizzliesPercentages courtesy of Polymarket, one of our best prediction market apps.
Trade on the NBA at Polymarket!
Sign up now using our exclusive Polymarket promo code 'COVERS' (on your mobile app only) and get a $25 trading bonus after you deposit $10 to trade on any event contracts!
*Eligible locations only
Expert NBA moneyline picks: Oct. 29
Cavaliers vs Hawks: 
Cavaliers
At 50%, I'll back the Cleveland Cavaliers on the moneyline, as I price them closer to 54% favorites against the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday.
The Hawks have multiple perimeter defenders capable of staying attached to and hounding James Harden and Donovan Mitchell, but they lack the size and rim protection to slow Cleveland's frontcourt of Peyton Watson, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen.
The Cavaliers can consistently exploit the Hawks' roster construction through two-man actions involving their bigs. Whether it's attacking Onyeka Okongwu off the dribble when he's switched onto a guard or feeding a big man against a smaller defender, Cleveland has multiple ways to punish Atlanta's defensive matchups.
The Hawks are loaded with point-of-attack defenders, but Cleveland's jumbo lineup gives them a unique advantage that many teams can't replicate.
Kings vs Pelicans: 
Pelicans
I can't say I'm thrilled about laying 69% on a team that hasn't won this season, but that's the situation when the New Orleans Pelicans host the Sacramento Kings, who are also winless.
My projections price the Pelicans closer to 74% favorites, which speaks to just how poor the Kings have been.
Much of this comes down to Keegan Murray's injury. If he were available, Murray would give Sacramento a primary defender capable of matching up with Zion Williamson.
Without him, the Kings lack a defender who can initially contain Williamson, and they don't have the rim protection to challenge him at the basket. That makes Murray's absence particularly damaging, as Sacramento loses a key perimeter defender without having the interior presence to compensate.
Grizzlies vs Trail Blazers: 
Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers are rolling to start the season, and, as I mentioned when we backed them at 42% against the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday, they're one of the most underrated teams in the NBA when you compare their underlying analytics with their market prices.
At 69%, I'm backing the Trail Blazers all day against the Memphis Grizzlies, as I price Portland closer to a 75% favorite.
Let's also address the obvious: this is a Ja Morant revenge game, and the Grizzlies, along with Zach Edey and his drop coverage, are about to get a firsthand look at how difficult it is to contain a backcourt featuring him and Damian Lillard.
If Edey steps up to contest drives, Morant can blow past him and attack the rim with limited interior resistance. If Edey sits in a deep drop, Lillard will have opportunities to pull up for uncontested jumpers.
These two distinct offensive threats will put Edey in a bind all night, and Portland's backcourt depth ensures the pressure won't let up when the starters sit, thanks to Jrue Holiday and Scoot Henderson.
Today's NBA moneyline combo
Cavaliers Pelicans Trail Blazers
With only three games on tonight's NBA slate, our moneyline combo features the three teams we're backing. There's not much to overthink from a decision-making standpoint.
It might feel chalky, but that's how my projections shake out. Technically, the Hawks are slight favorites over the Cavaliers, even though Cleveland is trading at 50%.
This matchup might not get much media attention, but I'm fired up for the battle of undefeated teams between the Grizzlies and Trail Blazers. We're going to need Toumani Camara to bring his A-game defensively and slow down the red-hot Ty Jerome, who was named Western Conference Player of the Week.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
