Top NBA Betting Picks of the Week – Oct. 16th Edition

The 2018-19 regular season in the National Basketball Association opens this week, and there have been many big changes in the league’s rosters. LeBron James has taken his talents to Hollywood now, where he hopes to spark a Lakers team that has languished in the shadow of the Clippers for several seasons now. Kawhi Leonard finally ended his feud with the San Antonio Spurs, and he is now playing north of the border, with the Toronto Raptors. Gordon Hayward is set to return to the floor for Boston, who now emerges as one of the favorites to win the East, but the trio of Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons and Markelle Fultz may have something to say about that in Philadelphia. Which games should you choose in your NBA betting for this week? Here are three matchups to get you started.

Top NBA Betting Picks of the Week – Oct. 16th Edition

NBA Power Rankings: Utah Jazz established as a top team – National Basketball Association News – https://t.co/vpRL2u9Usl

— NBA News Now (@NBANewsNow247) October 16, 2018

Tuesday, October 16

Philadelphia at Boston (-5) (8:00pm ET, TNT)

Boston hosts Philadelphia in the first of two games set for Opening Night in the NBA. The last time we saw the 76ers on the floor, they were going down in the second round to these same Celtics in a series that many thought Philadelphia would win. The Sixers are back with Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, Markelle Fultz and Dario Saric, and the addition of Wilson Chandler should make this team even more frightening. They are still a youth movement as far as their starting five go, but they need to get more off the bench than they did last season. Going on the road in the opener would allow the 76ers to make a huge statement to start the year…if they can solve the Boston defense this time. The Celtics are looking for some redemption of their own, as they had the Cleveland Cavaliers right where they wanted them in the Eastern Conference Finals last year, until King James and the Cavaliers slithered away — and that was with a roster that was missing Gordon Hayward and Kyrie Irving. Those two stars are back, and the Celtics have one of the deepest rosters in the Association. Rookie Jayson Tatum should be even better this year, and Marcus Smart may be the toughest hustle player in the league. Boston is 3-1 in their last four season openers and should be ready to make a statement here. NBA Betting Prediction:: Boston 111, Philadelphia 105

Wednesday, October 17

New Orleans at Houston (-7.5) (8:00pm ET, ESPN)

The New Orleans Pelicans enter the 2018-19 season full of optimism after sweeping the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round of the playoffs last year, and if they can make the postseason again, it would be the first time they made it consecutive seasons under head coach Byron Scott. Anthony Davis remains one of the top centers in the league and will be in the MVP conversation this year. The team did lose DeMarcus Cousins, but they picked up Julius Randle, who might be a better complement to Davis. Jrue Holiday returns from a solid 2017-18 as well, making the Pelicans a possible West contender. Once again, an injury to Chris Paul kept a Western Conference contender from advancing even deeper in the postseason, but he returns healthy this year and, alongside James Harden, leads one of the best backcourts in the NBA and gives the Rockets one of the most transcendent offenses in the game. Clint Capela remains in the middle to give Houston some defensive starch. The question is new signing Carmelo Anthony — will he make the difference, or will he be a disappointment yet again, after leaving fans in New York and Oklahoma City wondering just what it was they paid for. This is kind of a big point spread for an opener — but with the point total at 228 ½, I’m leaning more in that direction, with the over. NBA Betting Prediction:: Houston 121, New Orleans 117

Dallas at Phoenix (10:30pm ET, ESPN)

Dallas did not win a game at Phoenix last year, although this year they enter with one of their most promising rosters since their 2010-11 championship season. Point guard Dennis Smith Jr enters his second season after a terrific rookie campaign, and rookie Luka Doncic already impressed viewers in the Mavericks’ preseason contests. However, Harrison Barnes and Dirk Nowitzki are not ready to start the regular season, so Dallas will enter the regular season down two of their biggest players. The addition of DeAndre Jordan at center gives the Mavericks some legitimacy inside that they have not had since Tyson Chandler roamed the paint in Big D. Phoenix had an up-and-down preseason, losing two games to Portland by a combined 55 points but also beating Golden State on the road by nine. They have added Jamal Crawford to a one-year deal, and the three-time Sixth Man of the Year award winner will give them some legitimacy inside. The Suns have been able to frustrate the Mavericks with their offensive speed and rebounding for the last two seasons, but the addition of Jordan should give Dallas what they need to win their opener. NBA Betting Prediction: Dallas 107, Phoenix 99