Free NBA Expert and Computer Picks For Every Game Oct. 21, 2026
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
Spread |
Total |
ML |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
115.23 |
+2.5 -110 
|
o234.5 -108 
|
+115
|
|
119.86 |
-2.5 -105 
|
u235.5 -114 
|
-125 
|
Atlanta
Orlando
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
Spread |
Total |
ML |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
117.61 |
+4.5 -105
|
o238.5 -110
|
+155 
|
|
122.94 |
-4.5 -105
|
u239.5 -114
|
-175
|
Milwaukee
Washington
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
Spread |
Total |
ML |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
121.35 |
+1.5 -108
|
o239.5 -108
|
+102
|
|
122.94 |
-1.5 -105
|
u240.5 -112
|
-118
|
Minnesota
Miami
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
Spread |
Total |
ML |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
115.03 |
+10.5 -110 
|
o113.5 -110
|
+360
|
|
121.08 |
-10.5 -105 
|
u238.5 -118
|
-440
|
Chicago
Toronto
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
Spread |
Total |
ML |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
114.05 |
+1.5 -110
|
o109.5 -115
|
+106
|
|
108.67 |
-1.5 -102
|
u219.5 -109
|
+100
|
Charlotte
Brooklyn
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
Spread |
Total |
ML |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
122.31 |
+2.5 -112
|
o241.5 -110
|
+105
|
|
121.64 |
-2.5 -108
|
u242.5 -107
|
-120
|
Utah
Memphis
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
Spread |
Total |
ML |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
120.54 |
-3.5 -105
|
o238.5 -115
|
-150
|
|
118.15 |
+3.5 -110
|
u239.5 -109
|
+135
|
Indiana
New Orleans
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
Spread |
Total |
ML |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
110.48 |
+10.5 -112
|
o109.5 -120
|
+350
|
|
119.42 |
-10.5 -105
|
u230.5 -107
|
-405
|
Dallas
Houston
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
Spread |
Total |
ML |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
115.62 |
+6.5 -105
|
o233.5 -110
|
+190
|
|
119.30 |
-6.5 -110
|
u234.5 -108
|
-215
|
Golden State
L.A. Lakers
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
Spread |
Total |
ML |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
116.05 |
+3.0 -115
|
o114.5 -115
|
+123
|
|
117.73 |
-3.0 -105
|
u231.5 -110
|
-140
|
Phoenix
Portland
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
Spread |
Total |
ML |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
113.55 |
+6.5 -135
|
o111.5 -115
|
+165
|
|
115.70 |
-6.5 +105
|
u227.5 -105
|
-185
|
Sacramento
L.A. Clippers
ATL
@
ORL
Wed, Oct 21 • 7:00 PM ET
Nickeil Alexander-Walker o18.5 Points Scored (-116)
Only eight players in the league competed against the Magic three or more times last season and averaged more than 28 points per contest in those outings, with Nickeil Alexander-Walker being one of them.
His efficiency was off the charts, converting 56.1% from the field, 47.4% from behind the arc, and 87% at the charity stripe.
Wednesday's prop is currently set at 18.5 points, which Alexander-Walker exceeded four out of four times, punctuated by a career-best 41-point outburst in a 12-point win on March 16.
ORL (-138)
Franz Wagner practiced in full and is good to go for the opener against Atlanta, a key factor in my handicap. Dyson Daniels and Nickeil Alexander-Walker are elite perimeter defenders, but they lack the size to contain Paolo Banchero and Wagner. Onyeka Okongwu also offers limited rim protection against Orlando's revamped offense under Sean Sweeney. At 58%, the Magic are one of my favorite trades, as I price them closer to 64%.
MIL
@
WAS
Wed, Oct 21 • 7:00 PM ET
WAS (-170)
The Washington Wizards enter the season with plenty of intrigue as their revamped roster looks to find its identity in the Eastern Conference. AJ Dybantsa will miss Wednesday’s season opener with an injury, but I’m still backing Washington as a 64% home favorite.
MIN
@
MIA
Wed, Oct 21 • 7:30 PM ET
MIA (-108)
The edge is modest, but I’m backing the Heat at 52%, as I make them 55% favorites at home against Minnesota. Davion Mitchell can pressure LaMelo Ball at the point of attack, while Bam Adebayo and Giannis Antetokounmpo provide disruptive help defense against drives and actions involving Anthony Edwards.
CHI
@
TOR
Wed, Oct 21 • 7:30 PM ET
TOR (-355)
We’ll be handicapping two versions of the Raptors this season: with Kawhi Leonard and without him due to load management. With Leonard available against Chicago, Toronto has a defensive edge against a Bulls offense that relies heavily on young wings Matas Buzelis and Caleb Wilson. Leonard, Scottie Barnes, and Collin Murray-Boyles give the Raptors three strong defenders who can disrupt Chicago’s young scorers and force tough, contested shots.
CHA
@
BK
Wed, Oct 21 • 7:30 PM ET
Michael Porter Jr. o22.5 Points Scored (-108)
Porter averaged 25.2 PPG at home last season and dropped 35 against Charlotte in their last meeting. Randle's playmaking should create cleaner looks for MPJ in Brooklyn's season opener.
Brandon Miller o24.5 Points Scored (+100)
Miller becomes Charlotte's primary scoring option without Ball and Bridges. His increased shot volume, combined with Brooklyn's defensive struggles and his previous success against the Nets, makes 25+ points an attractive target.
UTA
@
MEM
Wed, Oct 21 • 8:00 PM ET
Cedric Coward o14.5 Points Scored (+113)
Coward averaged 15.2 PPG at home last season and should have an expanded offensive role for Memphis. Utah's poor interior defense creates opportunities for the second-year guard to attack the rim and clear this line.
MEM (-113)
IND
@
NO
Wed, Oct 21 • 8:00 PM ET
NO (+138)
Everyone sees Tyrese Haliburton returning and the struggling Pelicans and wonders why Indiana is only -3.5. But that spread may actually be too high. I make New Orleans 47% to win, well above its 41% market price. Herb Jones gives the Pelicans a key defensive weapon against Haliburton, while Indiana will be without Aaron Nesmith and T.J. McConnell. Those absences matter, creating value on New Orleans in its home opener.
DAL
@
HOU
Wed, Oct 21 • 8:30 PM ET
Alperen Sengun o4.5 Total Assists (-138)
Sengun dished 5+ assists in 56 of 72 appearances, and he reached that mark in both games against the Mavericks, excluding a Jan. 3 meeting in which he played only one minute.
With Fred VanVleet back, it’s unclear how ball-handling responsibilities will shake out between he and Amen Thompson.
Sengun’s role as a playmaker out of the post remains clear, as he’ll have ample opportunities to find cutters in the lane and kick out to perimeter shooters. I’m happy to trade this up to 5.5.
Kyrie Irving o4.5 Total Assists (-138)
Irving has generated at least five assists in 65.3% of his 779 career games, and he’s averaged 5+ 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 rather than scoring. I’ll trade this line up to 5.5.
GS
@
LAL
Wed, Oct 21 • 10:00 PM ET
Walker Kessler o11.5 Total Rebounds (+105)
With both offenses looking to be aggressive in terms of field goal attempts, there will be a surplus of rebounding chances. Kessler has a notable size edge over the Warriors’ frontcourt, with Kristaps Porzingis out and backup big Charles Bassey doubtful. That leaves the smaller Green and the slower Horford to share center duties. His projections for tonight sit between 11+ and 12+ boards but given the matchup and injection of tempo for both teams, I like Kessler to corral at least a dozen rebounds for L.A.
Stephen Curry o24.5 Points Scored (-104)
Brandin Podziemski will miss the season opener for the Warriors, sliding De'Anthony Melton into the starting five and shouldering point guard duties. That has Curry playing more off-ball versus the Lakers, running through screens and finding space in the retooled five-out playbook. Projections for Wednesday sit between 24.9 and 27.5 points with the majority of models coming in north of 25 points. My number is at 26+ considering a poor L.A. defense and a negative game script pushing Curry to score more.
PHO
@
POR
Wed, Oct 21 • 10:00 PM ET
PHO (+127)
This is the type of trade where even the worst-case scenario offers value, with room for our edge to grow. I'm locking in Phoenix at 42%, pricing the Suns as 46% underdogs with Deni Avdija in Portland's lineup. Avdija is questionable with ankle soreness, but I expect him to play. His absence isn't required for this trade to offer value, making it an appealing position regardless of the injury news.
SAC
@
LAC
Wed, Oct 21 • 10:30 PM ET
SAC (+170)
Sacramento didn't do me any favors in the preseason, but I'm surprised to see the Kings trading as 36% underdogs against the Clippers. Los Angeles is already near the bottom of the West and will be without Brandon Ingram, Bradley Beal, and Max Strus. I'm not sold on Sacramento's starting five, but I prefer its lineup in this matchup. At 36% on the moneyline, I'll hit the button on the Kings.
Our experts and prediction models are hard at work analyzing the data. Check back shortly for today's picks, or explore our Computer Picks for inspiration.
The table above displays our sports betting computer’s picks based on the last 100 NBA games played. It gives basketball bettors a data-backed look into which games and NBA odds could hold some hidden value.
It can be tricky to nail down the “perfect” bet, but our expert predictions will teach you how to bet on basketball matchups with confidence.
Following the computer picks blindly is not a surefire way to make gains when betting on NBA action. If anything, it's merely a guide to place bettors in the best position possible to achieve success, whether you're betting the moneyline, spread, or OVER/UNDER.
We use statistical analysis and machine-learning projections to make our selections, but don't forget to do your own research to find the best value!
Betting the moneyline in the NBA means you're picking the winner of the game, no strings attached. If the team you bet on emerges victorious, then so do you.
| Team | Moneyline |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles Lakers | -120 |
| Golden State Warriors | +150 |
In this example, the Los Angeles Lakers are the favorites to win the game as their moneyline odds have a minus sign (-) in front of the number. The favorites will have the minus sign present, and the underdogs will have a plus sign (+).
Betting $100 on the Lakers would pay you $180, your original $100 bet, plus $80 in winnings. If you bet $100 on the Warriors, since oddsmakers believe they're less likely to win this game, the payout would be $250, with a profit of $150.
Betting the spread in the NBA provides more wiggle room to bettors for games that may appear one-sided on paper. Rather than simply picking the winner like you would with the moneyline, you can instead pick the point differential to give underdogs more of a fighting chance with your wagers.
| Team | Spread |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles Lakers | -4.5 (-110) |
| Golden State Warriors | +4.5 (-110) |
In this example, the Lakers are favored to not only win the game against the Warriors, but to do so by at least 4.5 points. As a gentle reminder, the minus sign (-) determines the favorite for the game in question.
Should the Lakers win by five points, that would mean Los Angeles "covered the spread," resulting in a win for those who bet in their favor. However, if the Lakers won by four points, that would mean the Warriors "covered the spread" instead.
The -110 betting line enclosed in parentheses is fairly common for spread bets. That is the number bettors would follow to determine potential gains and losses, just like the moneyline. Odds are usually equal on both sides of the line, but can range from -105 to -120 (or more) in either direction.
An Over/Under bet in the NBA has nothing to do with which team wins the game. Instead, all that matters is the total combined score for that game and whether it exceeds a preset number established by oddsmakers.
| Team | Total |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles Lakers | O 240.5 (-110) |
| Golden State Warriors | U 240.5 (-110) |
In this example, oddsmakers have set the total score for the Lakers and Warriors at 240.5 points.
As a bettor, you can select the Over if you believe the two teams will combine to score more than 240.5 points, 241 or more, or bet the Under if they'll score fewer than 240.5 points, 240 or fewer.
If the set number was a whole number like 240 points, for example, and the two teams combined to score exactly that amount, then the result would be a push and you'd get your money back on the wager.
Our moneyline picks, point spread predictions, and Over/Under estimates are solid tools to start betting with. Don't glance over other tools, though, especially NBA analytics. You can find a collection of resources below, ranging from databases to NBA betting tips; browse through them and find the best value on every NBA betting site.
Covers NBA picks generally release on game day. Some significant matchups like playoff games release in the days leading up to the game.
Covers provides free NBA picks covering many markets, including point spreads, totals, moneylines, player props, and more.
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