NBA Best Bets Today: October 23 Picks & Predictions
The first week of the 2026-27 NBA season continues on Friday with a massive 12-game slate. It is headlined by an Amazon Prime Video doubleheader featuring Knicks vs Celtics, at 7:00 PM ET and Rockets vs Spurs at 9:30 PM ET, while other hot matchups include Pistons vs Heat and Clippers vs Lakers. Here are my three NBA best bets on the schedule. Make sure you also check out all of our NBA picks for every game on Friday and throughout the entire season.
NBA Best Bet: Atlanta Hawks -2.5 over Charlotte Hornets (-110)
Odds available at FanDuel Sportsbook at time of publishing
The Hawks battled to an impressive 132-125 road win over the rival Magic on Wednesday night. Atlanta has always been an offensive juggernaut and now – dating back to last year – it actually plays some defense, as well. Trae Young’s departure helped in that department, and shipping off Zaccharie Risacher in exchange for Lu Dort this past offseason also improves defensive matters.
The visitors may have a favorable matchup on their hands in Charlotte depending on the Hornets’ injury situation. Both Kon Knueppel and Coby White missed the season opener against Brooklyn and are listed as day-to-day. It doesn’t sound particularly encouraging for either player in terms of his status for Friday. Either way, Atlanta is the superior squad.
Read our full Hawks vs Hornets prediction
NBA Best Bet: Detroit Pistons ML over Miami Heat (+113)
Odds available at bet365 at time of publishing
The Heat’s two leading scorers from last season are gone. Norman Powell (21.7 ppg) is now with Chicago, while Tyler Herro (20.5 ppg) was shipped to Milwaukee in the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade. Antetokounmpo’s addition is obviously massive, but it may take a while for this new-look Miami squad to gel. Head coach Erik Spoelstra’s squad certainly didn’t look good in its opener on Wednesday, getting blown out by Minnesota 131-106. The Greek Freak delivered 35 points in his Heat debut, but they did not get much of anything from anyone else. Their perimeter defense struggled, too, as the Timberwolves shot 21-of-50 from three-point range.
Friday’s matchup presents a nice opportunity for Detroit sharpshooters Duncan Robinson and Javonte Green. Robinson made five of his nine three-pointers and Green went 5-for-8 from deep during Wednesday’s 121-113 victory over Boston. Look for the Pistons to build on that momentum.
Check out our Pistons vs Heat prediction
NBA Best Bet: Houston Rockets vs San Antonio Spurs Over 226.5 (-112)
Odds available at FanDuel Sportsbook at time of publishing
San Antonio endured a rough opening game, losing to Oklahoma City 116-104 on Tuesday. Still, Victor Wembanyama going 1-for-13 from the floor is not gonna happen again – not on Friday and probably not this entire season. Wemby and company should have a more favorable matchup on their hands against Houston, which was a solid defensive team in 2025-26 but certainly not elite like OKC.
These two clubs faced each other four times last season, with two of the games producing at least 231 points – including a 145-120 shootout in the Spurs’ favor on March 8 in San Antonio. Wembanyama went 9-of-13 for 29 points in that contest, while both Kevin Durant and Amen Thompson delivered 23 points for the Rockets.
As for Houston’s season opener, it went very well on Wednesday. Head coach Ime Udoka’s squad hammered Dallas 128-110, as Durant and Jabari Smith Jr. both finished with 30 points. This simply isn’t a big number for two teams that bring a ton of offensive firepower to the table.
Get our full Rockets vs Spurs prediction for their NBA matchup
