NBA Best Bets Today: October 30 Picks & Predictions
It promises to be yet another epic night of hoops on Friday with a 10-game NBA Cup slate coming our way. Amazon’s Prime Video double-header tips off with Knicks vs 76ers at 7:30 pm ET, followed by the Lakers vs Warriors game at 10 pm ET. As we saw in the past couple of seasons, Cup games tend to have an extra bit of intensity, I just cannot wait for tonight’s action to start!
I’ve done a deep dive in all 10 games, coming up with my three favorite NBA Best Bets for Friday’s slate. Full analysis and NBA Picks for each game are available, but let’s take a closer look at who I am backing this evening!
NBA Best Bet: New York Knicks -1.5 over Philadelphia 76ers (-115)
Now that the Knicks are rolling with back-to-back wins over the Pistons and Bulls, it is time for them to get revenge on the Sixers. Philly came into MSG on opening night and spoiled the party for New York fans as their team raised the championship banner and received their championship rings. A lot has happened since that game nine days ago; Philadelphia has had a few injury worries to deal with, as they could be without Jaylen Brown on Friday. He is currently a game-time decision with a knee injury.
Apart from Jose Alvarado, the Knicks are pretty much at full strength. Karl-Anthony Towns has slowly turned things around, though it took him a few games to adjust to life without Mitchell Robinson by his side down low. Jalen Brunson also stepped up his play after the poor showing in the opener. He just had his highest scoring game of the season with 38 against the Bulls. This being an NBA Cup game carries additional weight; I’m sure the Knicks will want to start off their NBA Cup title defense on a positive note. I’ll take them to get one over Philadelphia here.
Read our full New York Knicks vs Philadelphia 76ers Predictions
NBA Best Bet: Darius Garland 3+ Made Threes vs Minnesota Timberwolves (-146)
Minnesota’s aspirations of being a top-four team in the West took a major hit when the team announced Anthony Edwards will miss up to two months following a knee procedure. We saw how much they’ll miss Ant Man in their first game without him, as Stephen Curry went off for 44 points in a 119-114 win for Golden State. I’m expecting something similar from Darius Garland going into Friday’s Clippers vs. Timberwolves game. LaMelo Ball has been a defensive liability his entire career, that’s one of the reasons why the Hornets shipped him out of town in the offseason.
Garland has basically been a one-man show for the Clippers offensively in the first four games this season. This has resulted in his numbers going up across the board – he averages almost three more points per game compared to last year, with his efficiency from the field slightly up. He’s also shooting a higher volume from three-point land, making 2.5 threes per game. Attacking the basket while Rudy Gobert is roaming the paint isn’t the smartest of ideas, so I’m hoping Garland has a more three-point driven approach to his play on offense here. He went five-for-nine from three in his most recent game against Minnesota, while in the last 10 meetings, he averaged 3.1 makes on almost 44% efficiency.
Check out our full LA Clippers vs Minnesota Timberwolves Predictions
NBA Best Bet: LA Lakers -2.5 over Golden State Warriors (-106)
Luka Doncic made sure he was fresh for Round 2 of the highly anticipated battle with Yaxel Lendeborg. Yes, not Stephen Curry, but the 24-year-old rookie who made headlines in the first meeting between the two sides trash talking the Lakers star. Luka didn’t take it too kindly, finishing with 28 points, eight rebounds and seven assists in a dominant Lakers win. In the three wins since, Doncic has dropped 23, 52 and 41 points, the scary part is he’s just warming up.
Friday is another opportunity for Doncic to continue building on his MVP case. The wounded Warriors had to rely on 38-year old Stephen Curry to carry them with 44 points in the win over Minnesota. However, this game is all about Luka and his willingness to go the distance. He’ll be fully rested here, you just know the Warriors and Lendeborg will push him and his Lakers to the limit here. Scoring wise I give the edge to LA; they are far more equipped on almost every position and are ready to go blow for blow with the injury depleted Warriors. I’ll take LA to remain unbeaten on the road.
Our LA Lakers vs Golden State Warriors Predictions are also available
