Day 1 of the 2026 NBA season is in the books, but Day 2 is when things go ballistic.
With 11 games on the schedule, our brightest basketball minds have collected NBA player props from every matchup to better assist your NBA picks on Wednesday, Oct. 21.
Let's dive in with the full slate of props below.
Note: props for tonight's Bucks-Wizards and Kings-Clippers matchups will be added when available.
NBA player props at a glance (Wednesday, Oct. 21)
| Matchup & time | Player prop & analyst |
|---|---|
| Hawks vs. Magic 7 p.m. |
Paolo Banchero o8.5 rebounds Chris Walder |
| Timberwolves vs. Heat 7:30 p.m. |
LaMelo Ball o24.5 PRA Ed Scimia |
| Bulls vs. Raptors 7:30 p.m. |
Scottie Barnes o7.5 rebounds Dustin Saracini |
| Hornets vs. Nets 7:30 p.m. |
Michael Porter Jr. o24.5 points Quinn Allen |
| Jazz vs. Grizzlies 8 p.m. |
Lauri Markkanen o19.5 points Quinn Allen |
| Pacers vs. Pelicans 8 p.m. |
Bennedict Mathurin o14.5 points Todd Cordell |
| Mavericks vs. Rockets 8:30 p.m. |
Kyrie Irving o4.5 assists Zak Hanshew |
| Warriors vs. Lakers 10 p.m. |
Stephen Curry o24.5 points Jason Logan |
| Suns vs. Trail Blazers 10 p.m. |
Donovan Clingan o11.5 rebounds Geoff Clark |
Picks courtesy of Polymarket, one of our best prediction market apps.
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Hawks vs Magic prop: Paolo Banchero Over 8.5 rebounds
- Time: 7 p.m.
- TV: WANF, WRDQ-IND
- Analyst: Chris Walder
Top pick: Paolo Banchero Over 8.5 rebounds
Paolo Banchero is coming off a career-high 8.4 rebounds in 72 appearances for Orlando last season, beating his previous best of 7.5 boards the year prior.
The All-Star forward hit double-digit rebounds in two of his last three games vs. the Hawks, a feat he's pulled off in four of six meetings overall since Feb. 20, 2025.
Walder also digs into Atlanta against the spread in his Hawks vs. Magic predictions.
Timberwolves vs Heat prop: LaMelo Ball Over 24.5 points + rebounds + assists
- Time: 7:30 p.m.
- TV: ESPN
- Analyst: Ed Scimia
Top pick: LaMelo Ball Over 24.5 points + rebounds + assists
LaMelo Ball averaged 32.0 points + rebounds + assists with the Hornets last year, and that was without a running partner in Anthony Edwards to rely on and with a notable dip in his scoring numbers. I expect Ball to improve on both his points (20.1 ppg) and assists (7.1) totals from last year, while continuing to grab a healthy amount of rebounds.
Like with my other picks tonight, this one is also relying on the fast pace of play I'm expecting out of both teams, especially the Heat. I like Ball to get to 35+ PRA tonight at up to 55%.
Despite being bullish on Ball, Scimia likes Miami to win in his Timberwolves vs. Heat predictions.
Bulls vs Raptors prop: Scottie Barnes Over 7.5 rebounds
- Time: 7:30 p.m.
- TV: CHSN, Sportsnet
- Analyst: Dustin Saracini
Top pick: Scottie Barnes Over 7.5 rebounds
Scottie Barnes averaged 7.3 rebounds in three meetings with Chicago last season, including a nine-rebound performance on Feb. 19. His ability to crash the defensive glass and push the ball in transition should keep him involved on both sides of the floor.
With the Bulls thin up front, expect Barnes to make his presence known — especially if he plays around 33 minutes, which he averaged last season.
Former Raptor Norman Powell is also featured as a prop target in Saracini's Bulls vs. Raptors predictions.
Hornets vs Nets prop: Michael Porter Jr. Over 24.5 points
- Time: 7:30 p.m.
- TV: WSOC-ABC, YES
- Analyst: Quinn Allen
Top pick: Michael Porter Jr. Over 24.5 points
Michael Porter Jr. had a career year last season, averaging 24.2 ppg, six more than in 2024-25. He'll remain one of Brooklyn's best scoring options, and I'm backing him to start strong at home.
The sharpshooter should benefit from Julius Randle's arrival. Just 9% of MPJ's 3-point attempts were wide open last season, but Randle's playmaking and ability to collapse defenses should create cleaner looks.
Porter also averaged 25.2 ppg at home in 2025-26, up from 23.3 on the road, and he erupted for 35 points against Charlotte in their last meeting.
For more on why the Nets will open the year with a home victory, check Allen's full Hornets vs. Nets predictions.
Jazz vs Grizzlies prop: Lauri Markkanen Over 19.5 points
- Time: 8 p.m.
- TV: KJZZ-IND, DAZN
- Analyst: Quinn Allen
Top pick: Lauri Markkanen Over 19.5 points
Lauri Markkanen led the Jazz in minutes (34.4) and points (26.7) last season. He also had the roster's highest usage rate at 28%.
While this is a lower total than expected, considering last season's numbers, it's a safer option for the first game of the season, and Markkanen cooked the Grizzlies for 26 in one meeting last season.
Despite how bullish he is on Markkanen, Allen prefers Memphis on the moneyline in his Jazz vs. Grizzlies predictions.
Pacers vs Pelicans prop: Bennedict Mathurin Over 14.5 points
- Time: 8 p.m.
- TV: DAZN, Pelicans+
- Analyst: Todd Cordell
Top pick: Bennedict Mathurin Over 14.5 points
Indiana played at a high pace last season, even without Haliburton, finishing seventh in pace.
The Pacers like to push the tempo, which plays right into Bennedict Mathurin's hands. The former Pacer was remarkably productive in fast-paced matchups last season.
He scored 15+ points in 13 of 18 games against opponents ranked in the Top 10 in pace, averaging 17.4 points in those contests.
Cordell's top pick in his Pacers vs. Pelicans predictions is also a player prop, but on Indiana's Andrew Nembhard.
Mavericks vs Rockets prop: Kyrie Irving Over 4.5 assists
- Time: 8:30 p.m.
- TV: KFAA-IND, SCHN
- Analyst: Zak Hanshew
Top pick: Kyrie Irving Over 4.5 assists
Dallas lacked a consistent lead ball-handler for much of last season, turning to a rotation of backup guards and Cooper Flagg to act as primary playmakers. Kyrie Irving should immediately take over the role as lead ball-handler, and his assists line is therefore quite attractive.
Irving has generated at least five assists in 65.3% of his 779 career games, and he’s averaged 5-plus in 12 of 14 seasons. Returning from an ACL tear, the superstar guard may be less explosive as a scorer as he eases back into action, focusing on facilitation instead.
Hanshew also likes the game total Under in tonight's Mavericks vs. Rockets predictions.
Warriors vs Lakers prop: Stephen Curry Over 24.5 points
- Time: 10 p.m.
- TV: ESPN
- Analyst: Jason Logan
Top pick: Stephen Curry Over 24.5 points
Warriors backcourt mate Brandin Podziemski will miss the season opener, sliding De'Anthony Melton into the starting five and shouldering point-guard duties.
That will put Stephen Curry in more off-ball roles against the Lakers, running screens and finding space in the retooled five-out playbook.
He had his best preseason performance in the finale against Portland, attempting 11 treys and finding success in the two-man game with Draymond Green. Curry finished with 20 points in 26 minutes.
Projections for tonight sit between 24.9 and 27.5 points, with the majority of models coming in north of 25 points. My number is 26+ given poor L.A. defense and a negative game script that pushes Curry to score more.
Logan anticipates a lot of scoring in his Warriors vs. Lakers predictions, not just from Curry.
Suns vs Trail Blazers prop: Donovan Clingan Over 11.5 rebounds
- Time: 10 p.m.
- TV: Suns+, BlazerVision
- Analyst: Geoff Clark
Top pick: Donovan Clingan Over 11.5 rebounds
Donovan Clingan averaged 12.8 rebounds against Phoenix last season, grabbing 12+ boards in three of four meetings.
Phoenix ranked 27th in defensive rebounding rate last season, while Clingan was one of the NBA's most dominant offensive rebounders.
His improved shooting should also help him stay on the floor longer. The former UConn Husky went from shooting 28.6% from three-point range and 59.6% from the free-throw line as a rookie to 34.1% and 68.0%, respectively, in Year 2.
Clark also likes Clingan to help lead Portland to a win and a cover in his Suns vs. Trail Blazers predictions.
More NBA picks
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Check the NBA injury report and compare numbers across basketball betting sites before finalizing today's picks.
All of today’s matchups are also on the NBA scores and matchups page, and the full pick archive lives in free NBA picks.
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