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NBA picks, predictions, odds for Opening Night

Originally posted on Action Network | Last updated Oct 22, 2024 12:56 PM ET

The 2024-25 NBA season is here, and so are our NBA picks from the best basketball betting podcast in all the land, “Buckets.”

For tonight’s Knicks vs. Celtics and Timberwolves vs. Lakers season openers, our expert crew has best bets across the board. Currently, the Celtics are 5.5-point favorites over the Knicks on the spread (Celtics -5.5), with the total set at 222.5 in the first game on Tuesday. The Wolves are 1.5-point favorites over the Lakers (Timberwolves -1.5), with the total in that game sitting at 221.5.

Knicks vs. Celtics tips off at 7:30 p.m. ET on TNT, although with Boston’s title celebration and ring ceremony, you can count on the game starting later than that. Wolves vs. Lakers is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET but will likely start whenever the first game ends. Both games are streaming on YouTube TV, Max and other platforms.

Let’s get to our NBA predictions and NBA picks for Opening Night!

NBA Predictions

Click on any of the links below to go directly to the specific expert NBA pick from “Buckets“.

Knicks vs. Celtics spread: The case for the Knicks to cover; the case for the Celtics to cover
Knicks vs. Celtics player props: Deuce McBride Over 8.5 points; Deuce McBride Over 1.5 3-pointers
Lakers vs. Wolves spread: The case for the Lakers to cover; the case for the Wolves to cover
Lakers vs. Wolves over/under: Under the total

Knicks vs. Celtics Picks

Tuesday, Oct 22
7:30 p.m. ET
TNT

Knicks Odds

Spread

Total

Moneyline

+5.5 -108

222.5 -110o / -110u

+185

Celtics Odds

Spread

Total

Moneyline

-5.5 -112

222.5 -110o / -110u

-225

The case for the Knicks to cover

“I like the Knicks +5.5. They match up well defensively against the Celtics, and the Celtics without Porzingis aren’t the same team. The Knicks have an outside chance to win outright.” — Jay Money

The case for the Celtics to cover

“I’m taking the Celtics -5.5. Eastern Conference home teams on opening night have been dominant, with favorites hitting 60% ATS over the last decade. Plus, this is a banner night, which historically favors home teams.” — Matt Moore

Player Prop Picks

“I’m going with Deuce McBride over 8.5 points and over 1.5 threes. He led the team in preseason field goal attempts and will get a lot of touches in a thin Knicks bench. His preseason paint attacks suggest more opportunities to score.” — Sean Little

Lakers vs. Wolves Picks

Tuesday, Oct 22
10 p.m. ET
TNT

Timberwolves Odds

Spread

Total

Moneyline

-1 -112

221 -112o / -108u

-118

Lakers Odds

Spread

Total

Moneyline

+1 -108

221 -112o / -108u

-102

The case for the Lakers to cover

“I like the Lakers +1.5. Despite all the moving parts for the Timberwolves, the Lakers have better continuity and are motivated to start the season strong, unlike their usual slow starts.” — Jay Money

The case for the Wolves to cover

“I’m taking the Timberwolves at -1.5, and I like the under 219.5. Western Conference home dogs in their openers haven’t fared well over the past decade, making the Wolves the better play here.” — Matt Moore

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