A recent NBA Finals rematch between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers, followed by Stephen Curry and Luka Doncic squaring off in the nightcap in Las Vegas? What more could you ask for from an NBA preseason slate as we break down our NBA moneyline picks?
Where were you when Darius Acuff Jr. led the Sacramento Kings to their first preseason victory? If you haven't watched the rookie out of Arkansas yet, it's time to give him a look. He's absolutely electric with the ball in his hands, and he's quickly becoming one of the most entertaining players to watch this preseason.
I can't imagine there will be many times I call the Kings my favorite moneyline play of the day, and that might not happen at all during the regular season. But on Tuesday's preseason slate, Acuff & Co. get the nod as my favorite play on the board.
For more analysis across the slate, check out our latest NBA picks for October 13.
NBA preseason moneyline picks for October 13
For help understanding Polymarket probabilities, see our odds calculator.
| Matchup | Pick |
|---|---|
 Cavaliersvs  Magic |
52% |
 Knicksvs  Raptors |
65% |
 Pacersvs  Thunder |
31% |
 Warriorsvs  Lakers |
42% |
 Trail Blazersvs  Kings |
47% |
Prices courtesy of Polymarket.
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Expert NBA preseason moneyline predictions for October 13
Cavaliers vs Magic: Cavaliers
I'm surprised to see the Cavaliers trading at just 52% in this spot, especially considering where this game falls on the preseason schedule for both teams.
Cleveland's trip to the Middle East was canceled, leaving the Cavaliers with just three preseason games. This is their third and final tune-up before the regular season begins, while the Orlando Magic still have another game against the Miami Heat on Friday.
With this being Cleveland's final preseason game, I expect Kenny Atkinson to ramp up his starters' minutes. Sean Sweeney, on the other hand, has less incentive to do the same with Orlando's starters, given that the Magic still have another game to play. If Cleveland's starters see more minutes than Orlando's, the Cavaliers' win probability should be higher than 52%.
Knicks vs Raptors: Raptors
I don't expect to see the Knicks' starters play the second night of a back-to-back in the preseason, especially with a road game in Toronto. NBA players don't even like clearing customs and playing in Toronto during a typical regular-season game, so I wouldn't be shocked if some of the Knicks' starters don't even make the trip.
The market is already accounting for this, with the Raptors trading as 65% favorites. However, once the news becomes official and we know which Knicks players are available, I expect Toronto's win probability to climb even higher, especially if Kawhi Leonard is confirmed in the lineup.
Pacers vs Thunder: Pacers
This is the second night of a back-to-back for the Thunder, but their starters didn't make the trip to Atlanta for the first game. As a result, I fully expect to see Oklahoma City's starters on the second leg against the Pacers in a rematch of the NBA Finals.
Even with the expectation that the Thunder will play their starters, give me the Pacers at 31%. That probability is too low. While Tyrese Haliburton is listed as questionable, he sat out Saturday's game against the Hawks, likely with the intention of playing in Oklahoma City in a matchup that carries some meaning for this Pacers squad.
Warriors vs Lakers: Warriors
I’ll hit the button on the Golden State Warriors at 42%, as I price them closer to 46% in this matchup. This is a neutral-site game in Las Vegas, where we should see similar minutes for the starters on both sides. However, I believe the edge lies with Golden State once the benches take over.
I much prefer Brandon Williams running the point for the Warriors with the starters off the floor than having Bronny James orchestrate the Lakers’ offense during those minutes. Williams can break down defenses and create opportunities for others, which is crucial in these bench-heavy stretches. It allows veteran role players like De’Anthony Melton, Georges Niang, and Gary Payton to focus on what they do best: playing off a primary creator rather than being asked to generate offense themselves.
Trail Blazers vs Kings: Kings
The Portland Trail Blazers are playing the second night of a back-to-back after all their starters except Damian Lillard suited up in the first game. Now they have to travel to Sacramento to face the Kings at Golden 1 Center. I’ll gladly take Sacramento in this spot, especially with the Kings trading as underdogs at 47%.
Domantas Sabonis was a full participant in practice Monday after missing two games, while Ben Simmons and Keegan Murray both made their preseason debuts in the Kings’ previous game. With Sacramento at home, I expect Doug Christie to give his starters an extended look and build some lineup continuity with a group that features several new pieces heading into the season.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
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