At the onset, NBA betting gets off to a phenomenal start with a Tuesday night matchup. Nikola Jokic and the defending NBA champion Denver Nuggets host LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers. Wednesday brings Number-1 overall draft pick Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs hosting Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks. And then Thursday, Giannis and the Milwaukee Bucks host Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers. Finally, the Boston Celtics host the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals rematch.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets Betting Information
| Date and Time: | Tuesday, October 24, 2023, 7:30 p.m. ET |
|---|---|
| Location: | Ball Arena, Denver, CO |
| TV Coverage: | TNT |
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lakers | +4½ -110 | 228 -110 | +170 |  |
| Nuggets | -4½ -110 | 228 -110 | -200 | |
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Certainly, Denver has experienced many of the same offshore betting naysaying that the Warriors got after winning it all in 2015. Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic Could be out to prove all of that wrong.
Meanwhile, Los Angeles was plus 19.9 points per 100 possessions when LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Austin Reaves played without Russell Westbrook. Surrounding that trio with D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura, and Taurean Prince shooting.
SBG Best Bet: Los Angeles Lakers.
Dallas Mavericks vs. San Antonio Spurs Betting Information
| Date and Time: | Wednesday, October 25, 2023, 7 p.m. ET |
|---|---|
| Location: | Frost Bank Center, San Antonio, TX |
| TV Coverage: | ESPN |
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mavericks | -3½ -110 | 228 -110 | -165 | |
| Spurs | +3½ -110 | 228 -110 | +140 | |
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On the whole, the NBA betting temptation to bump the Dallas Mavericks into a 50-win club for this season is strong. Dallas was plus 13.1 points per 100 possessions when Tim Hardaway Jr., Kyrie Irving, and Luka Dončić were all on the floor in 2022-23. Now, a deeper supporting cast will surround that high-powered offensive trio.
Namely, Victor Wembanyama could very well be one of the greatest prospects in the history of team sports. But just about every superstar in the last 20 years has still had to go through an adjustment period.
SBG Best Bet: Dallas Mavericks.
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Milwaukee Bucks Betting Information
| Date and Time: | Thursday, October 26, 2023, 7:30 p.m. ET |
|---|---|
| Location: | Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, WI |
| TV Coverage: | TNT |
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 76ers | +5½ -110 | – | +185 | |
| Bucks | -5½ -110 | – | -225 | |
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Correlate that the Milwaukee Bucks have quietly become one of the oldest teams in the NBA. And when you compound that with injury issues, it’s easy to feel a hint of skepticism
Last week, a chaotic offseason took another wild turn for the Philadelphia 76ers. To show, James Harden publicly called the basketball operations president Daryl Morey a liar (twice). While PJ Tucker seemingly backed those comments. And then Joel Embiid removed “PROCESSING” and his location of Philadelphia from his profile on X.
SBG Best Bet: Milwaukee Bucks.
Miami Heat vs. Boston Celtics Betting Information
| Date and Time: | Friday, October 27, 2023, 7:30 p.m. ET |
|---|---|
| Location: | TD Garden, Boston, MA |
| TV Coverage: | ESPN |
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Celtics | +1½ -110 | 218½ -110 | +105 | |
| Heat | -1½ -110 | 218½ -110 | -125 | |
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It is true that the Miami Heat lost two starters (Max Strus and Gabe Vincent) from the 2023 NBA Finals roster. The additions of Josh Richardson and Thomas Bryant could help fill some gaps. But neither player feels like a surefire starter on a title contender.
Still on the Boston roster are Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Thus, it’s easy to see this team competing for the top seed in the East. The only reason for concern is there are a lot of good teams in the NBA right now. So, Boston getting to the mid-50s in wins will be a climb.
SBG Best Bet: Miami Heat.