NBA best bets: Thursday, October 26

The Philadelphia 76ers and Milwaukee Bucks will make their 2023-24 NBA season debuts as they face off in the Cream City in the nightcap of TNT’s doubleheader followed by the Suns batteling Lebron and the Lakers.

It was an eventful off-season for both the Bucks and 76ers. Milwaukee, who was ousted in the first round of the 2023 NBA playoffs, fired coach Mike Budenholzer and replaced him with Nick Nurse. In September management orchestrated a blockbuster trade and acquired seven-time all-star Damian Lillard. Lillard, who was third in the NBA in scoring last season can provide the Bucks with improved spacing on the perimeter and relieve interior defensive congestion for Giannis and company.

The 76ers, on the other hand, generated headlines for the wrong reasons. Following a season in which Joel Embiid led the league in scoring and won the NBA MVP, the Sixers bowed out in the second round of the playoffs for the third straight year. Followed by the James Harden situation, who has made clear he does not wish to play for Philadelphia. Harden did rejoin the 76ers, but will not play in this matchup versus the Bucks.

Harden’s absence and the tandem of Lillard and Gianniss will push the Bucks to cover the spread at BetMGM. The matchup that puts this bet even more favorable in our eyes is that the Bucks can put Brook Lopez on Joel Embiid. The Sixers big man is almost impossible to contain but Lopez is one of the better defensive big men in the league. Combine that with the aforementioned factors and the Bucks should win handily at home. BetMGM is offering new MLive users up to $1,500 paid back in bonus bets if your first bet doesn’t win, so make sure to lock in this bet.

The Phoenix Suns (1-0) headed West Tuesday to defeat the Golden State Warriors (0-1) on opening night. Their California road trip continues South as they take on Lebron and company this Thursday. The Lakers lost on Tuesday in Denver as the Nuggets raised their championship banner and received their rings for winning the 2023 NBA title.

So why do we like the Lakers on FanDuel? Several key players for the Suns will miss this game. Bradley Beal’s Suns debut will have to wait yet another game, while Booker (foot) will sit this one out as well. That leaves the Suns very thin at guard, a position which was a question for them to begin with. Booker did a phenomenal job on opening night, going for 32 points and eight assists. That puts the onus squarely on Kevin Durant, who will have to carry the load mostly by himself against a talented Lakers squad.

Look for LeBron James and the Lakers to get their first win of the season in front of what should be a buzzing home crowd.

Wood only played 15 minutes in Tuesday’s loss, scoring seven points. But something about playing against the Suns seems to bring out the best in Wood. The Lakers forward has scored at least 17 points in 12 straight games against the Suns, a streak spanning four teams played for (soon to be five). Even if the streak of 17-plus does not continue, DraftKings’ line is too juicy to pass up. Make sure to take advantage of DraftKings’ latest offer. Sign up today and get $200 instantly when placing a $5 bet, in addition to a No Sweat same-game parlay every day this season.

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