Free NBA Expert and Computer Picks For Every Game Oct. 22, 2026
CLE
@
PHI
Thu, Oct 22 • 7:00 PM ET
CLE (+133)
Philadelphia opened the season with a win over the Knicks on ring night, but its new starting five still needs time to build chemistry. Jarrett Allen is questionable, though his status matters less against a 76ers team that could play small and push the pace. Evan Mobley at center may be a better fit for Cleveland, with Sam Merrill's shooting another reason to limit the two-big lineup. At 42%, I'll back the Cavaliers, who I price closer to 45%.
DEN
@
OKC
Thu, Oct 22 • 9:30 PM ET
OKC (-285)
Oklahoma City's defense just gave Victor Wembanyama problems, and Nikola Jokic is next. Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein provide the size to challenge Denver's star, while Aday Mara and Alex Caruso add even more defensive versatility. A 74% probability is steep against a Western Conference contender, but I still see value in the Thunder, pricing Oklahoma City closer to 77% favorites on Thursday.
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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