Expert NBA Best Bets and Player Props Today – Saturday, October 28th
The 2023-24 NBA season is finally here and we’re excited over here at VSiN. As always, Jonathan Von Tobel will be providing you with his exceptional coverage of the greatest league in the world. Just click here for all of his content. However, all of my picks will be featured in this daily column, which will combine my best bets and player props. I’ll be doing this every single day of the week — although it’ll be a little shorter on the weekends. So, keep reading to find out how I’m playing the NBA slate on Saturday, October 28. Also, check out our NBA Odds page for the latest line movement.
MORE: Check out our Pro Picks page for everything our experts have on October 28
2023 Record: 10-6 (+3.48 units)
NBA Best Bets Today – October 28
New York Knicks at New Orleans Pelicans – 7:00 pm ET
I lost fading the Knicks last night, but I’m going right back to it again. New York played a very tight game against the Atlanta Hawks last night, and the team is now forced to travel and play a good New Orleans team. Not only will the Knicks be a little tired in this spot, but they’re also the less talented team. Sure, an argument can be made that New York plays more of a winning style of basketball, but I don’t think New Orleans is a team that executes poorly. With that in mind, I don’t see much here that makes the Knicks look like the right play. Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson will be the two best players on the court in this one, and CJ McCollum is fully capable of matching what Jalen Brunson does in the backcourt.
Bet: Pelicans -2.5 (-112 – Play to -3.5)
Memphis Grizzlies at Washington Wizards – 7:00 pm ET
I am very down on the Wizards this season, but I also hate what I have seen out of the Grizzlies. Through two games, Memphis is just 26th in the league in offensive rating. And that doesn’t feel like much of a fluke with Ja Morant out and the team lacking in talent because of all its injuries. So, when you throw that on top of the fact that the Grizzlies now have to go on the road for the second night of a back-to-back, I think this is a great spot for the Wizards to pick up their first win. Washington might not be a good defensive team, but Memphis needs to be able to keep up in the scoring department. I don’t think the Grizzlies can do that.
Bet: Wizards +1.5 (-112 – Play to -1.5)
Miami Heat at Minnesota Timberwolves – 8:00 pm ET
This is another tough situation for the road team, as the Heat lost a close game against the Boston Celtics last night. With them having to now travel to Minnesota, I think it’s tough to ask them to beat a Timberwolves team that will be hungry for its first win of the season. Minnesota also happens to be a very good defensive team, so I think the Wolves can smother a Heat team that lacks some juice offensively. Look for a big game out of Anthony Edwards here, as he struggled a bit in the season opener. He’s going to be looking to prove he’s the best player on the floor in this one.
Bet: Timberwolves -4.5 (-114 – Play to -5)
NBA Player Props Today – October 28
Philadelphia 76ers at Toronto Raptors – 7:30 pm ET
Tyrese Maxey exploded for 31 points in Philadelphia’s loss to the Milwaukee Bucks in the season opener, but I think he’ll have a bit of a harder time getting it going in this one. Through two games, the Raptors have the best defensive rating in basketball thus far. And they have been especially tough on opposing backcourts. The Raptors just have length all over the court, and Dennis Schroder is a pest at the point of attack. So, I think points will be hard to come by for Maxey, who won’t have the luxury of attacking Damian Lillard in this game.
Bet: Maxey Under 24.5 Points (-109)
Utah Jazz at Phoenix Suns – 10:00 pm ET
Jusuf Nurkic is a player that I can tell I’m going to be backing a lot on the player props market. I just think he’s playing with a whole new sense of freedom this year, with the Suns really trusting in him to make plays as the hub in their new offense. And one thing that Phoenix really wants Nurkic to do is shoot the 3-ball. The big man has taken at least two shots from deep in both of the games the Suns have played this year, and I think it’ll continue to be a big part of his arsenal moving forward. And something tells me there will be plenty of good looks to go around against a Jazz team that has the second-worst defensive rating in the league. Utah will also be tired after having battled the Los Angeles Clippers late last night.
Bet: Nurkic Over 0.5 3s Made (-130)
DraftKings Sportsbook Boosts & Offers
DraftKings Sportsbook is offering a $10 bonus bet for NBA bettors to start the season. So, you should pounce on that. Perhaps use it to parlay some of these picks together.
There’s also a "No Sweat Every Day" offer on a Same Game Parlay for any sport. So, you can take a risk-free shot on an NBA parlay tonight.
Did you know that you can parlay my picks together? Try out our VSiN Parlay Calculator HERE!
