NBA Playbook: Betting Lines, Odds & Picks For Wednesday, Oct. 26

NBA Betting Lines, Odds & Picks for Wednesday

A pretty large 10-game slate of games awaits us on this wonderful Wednesday night. Whenever we have a large slate of games, you know there is some value to be found somewhere... and we are going to find it. BetQL subscribers can see more betting trends and all of our best bets with star ratings for every pick.

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We'll start off with one of the more tame matchups of the slate, as the Orlando Magic take on the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Magic have been abysmal to start the season, and there are many reasons for that. For starters, they are currently 26th in total offense in the NBA, averaging just 107 points per game. They have several people out, but they are awful right now. On defense, they are certainly better, but still not great. Orlando is ranked 19th in defense, allowing just over 115 points per game.

The Cavs have actually been really good, despite not having Darius Garland to begin the year. They have been especially good on defense, allowing just 104 points per game, which is good for third in the NBA right now. They are also close to being top 10 in the NBA on offense, ranking just outside that at 11th, scoring 117 points per game. That's a fantastic 13-point differential, good for second-best in the NBA.

MY PICK: Cleveland should get the job done here at home. Donovan Mitchell has been a great addition to the team, and they have still kept that defensive prowess from last season.

What is going on with the Philadelphia 76ers? Has all the success of the Eagles (and our NFL computer picks on them) and Phillies made it so that they can't be successful? Funny how the sports world works. In all seriousness, the 76ers haven't been as bad as their record says, but they also haven't been good either. Defensively, they have been their usual self, ranking 11th in the league and giving up just 109 points per game. it has been the offense that has struggled quite a bit. Philadelphia ranks 24th in the league on offense, scoring just over 107 points per game. Joel Embiid hasn't looked like himself so far, but James Harden has been surprisingly effective, scoring almost 27 points per game.

The Raptors have been pretty good to begin the season, especially on defense. They rank fourth in the NBA, giving up 104 points per game, but the offense has really struggled. Toronto is scoring just 105 points per game, which is good for 27th in the league. Pascal Siakam has been great for them to begin the season, but the rest of the offense has been off.

MY PICK: This should be a very close game, and if the Sixers can just get their offense going, they should win. However, I haven't seen any signs of that so far, and with this Toronto defense, it should be hard for them again. The Raptors just held Miami to 90 points, so it could be tough sledding for Philly.

Here's the first great matchup of the night, when the Nets take on the Bucks. Kevin Durant vs. Giannis Antetokounmpo? Sign me up please. Both of those guys are averaging over 30 points per game to start the year, so this should be a show. Brooklyn as a team however, has really struggled. This Nets defense is allowing over 123 points per game, which is 28th in the NBA to start the year. They can't stop anyone. On offense, they have some great players like Durant, but they are middle of the pack, ranking 16th in the league and scoring about 114 points per game.

The Bucks have been far better, and it really hasn't been close. Milwaukee is the best defense in the NBA by far to begin the year, allowing just over 96 points per game through their first few matchups. They have a reputation for being great defensively, so this isn't a surprise. On offense, it hasn't been nearly as good, scoring just over 107 points per game, which is tied for 24th in the league.

MY PICK: Milwaukee is at home in this one, and the Nets have to figure something out on defense before things get worse for them. I like the Bucks here a lot.

I'm shocked the Hornets have a winning record to begin the year after three games, because I think this team may be the worst in basketball. Prove me wrong though, Charlotte. Gordon Hayward's scoring touch has helped them win those games, and he's having a bit of a rejuvenated year so far. This offense has been in sync with him as well, and they have been shockingly good to being the year. The Hornets are scoring 122 points per game on offense, which is third in the NBA right now. Defensively, they are middle of the pack, ranking 15th and allowing 112 per game. I'll admit it, Charlotte has looked like a top-10 team so far. I don't think that lasts.

The Knicks may be even better to begin the season. Here are two teams that I certainly didn't expect to be one of the better matchups of the night, but it actually is. New York is ranked 7th in the NBA on defense, allowing just 108 points per game, which isn't shocking for a Tom Thibodeau coached team. On offense, they rank 6th in the NBA though, scoring 119 points per game. To me, that adds up to a top-3 team in the league after three games.

MY PICK: This is a tough one, as both of these teams have been great to start the year. I'll take the team I think is better, and the one that is at home, and that's the Knicks. I just really don't like the Hornets this season, and I think this is a fluke for them.

Two Central Division rivals take the stage here when the Pacers take on the Bulls. I'm not high on either team this season honestly. Indiana's strength has been on their offense, where they are scoring 118 points per game, which is good for 8th in the NBA. Defensively is where they run into trouble, allowing over 121 points per game, which is ranked 27th in the league. Another team that can't stop anyone. Tyrese Haliburton has been a monster for them though, scoring 24 points per game.

The Bulls are a team I think will take a step back in 2022. They have been pretty good on defense, which is surprising, ranking 12th in the league and allowing 110 points per game. It is the offense that has been less than stellar, ranking 22nd and scoring 108 points per game.

MY PICK: The difference here will be how bad Indiana is on defense. DeMar DeRozan should have a field day against them, and Zach LaVine should be able to get his shooting back.

I've been shocked at how well the Spurs have been playing, but early in the year, we always have bad teams that play better than they actually are. San Antonio hasn't been great on defense, ranking 22nd and allowing over 118 points per game, but they have been sneaky good on offense. The Spurs are scoring 117 points per game offensively, so they can put the ball in the basket.

The Timberwolves have been pretty average, but that isn't surprising. The offense has been good, ranking 13th in the NFL scoring 116 points per game. The defense has been pretty mid, ranking 17th and allowing 115 per game. Karl-Anthony Towns has been the star of the show for them again, averaging over 20 points per game. They are 1-3 ATS, however.

MY PICK: I don't care that the Spurs have been good to start the year, I just can't back them. Minnesota may not be the best team in the world, but they are better than San Antonio, and they are at home.

The Lakers might be the worst team in the NBA. Their roster is awful outside of LeBron James and Anthony Davis, and Davis can't play more than 60 games a year at maximum. Not only are the Lakers winless, but they are also 0-3 ATS, so they haven't even been covering. They have been decent on defense, allowing 111 points per game, but this is one of the worst offenses in the NBA. They are scoring just 103 points per game, which is only ahead of their other LA counterpart in the Clippers.

The Nuggets have been just as bad honestly, maybe even worse to begin the year. This defense is dead last in the NBA, allowing a whopping 125 points per game, and they might not be able to stop even a terrible Lakers offense. The offense has been okay, but they can't overcome this defense. Denver has to be better on that side of the ball.

MY PICK: The Lakers are due for a win, and this may finally be the game where they get it done. Denver is 1-3 ATS, and this is the most winnable game for them thus far. LA is desperate as well.

Another team that is off to a shocking start is the Trail Blazers, who are undefeated and 4-0 ATS. They are ranked 9th in both offense and defense, scoring 117 points per game and allowing 108 points per game. This is a good team, and Damien Lillard has been unbelievable to begin the season. Guy is bricked up right now, and if he continues on this pace, he could be your MVP at the end of the year.

The Heat have been the opposite of what we expected, and they have been pretty disappointing. They are 0-3-1 ATS, and have looked bad to start the year. Their defense has been as good as ever, allowing just over 108 points per game, but the offense has been dreadful, scoring only 103 points per contest.

MY PICK: Give me the Blazers. Lillard is unstoppable right now, and even with Miami's great defense, they aren't going to stop him. One team is playing well right now, while the other is just plain bad.

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