NBA opening night: Preview, odds, picks, and best bets
The 2023-24 NBA season opens up on Tuesday with four Western Conference teams in action. At 7:30 p.m. ET, the Lakers and Nuggets face off in a Western Conference Finals rematch. Following, the Suns and Warriors play each other at 10:00 p.m. ET. These four teams have the highest odds to win the West this year and we will likely see some combination of series between them come playoff time.
Here are the best bets for the opening night of the new NBA season. And, if you want to bet on the NBA, check out our guide to the best basketball sportsbooks.
The Nuggets had the Lakers number. Denver won six of eight games last year, including the playoffs. The team’s two losses came when facing the Lakers in Los Angeles during the regular season. Luckily, this game is in the Mile High City.
The Nuggets beat the Lakers by an average of 8.75 points at home last season. For those reasons, we are eyeing this bet on DraftKings.
Remember, despite the Lakers meeting the Nuggets in the Western Conference Finals, the two teams had different routes to get there. The Nuggets were the No. 1 seed in the West and the Lakers started in the play-in tournament. The difference in talent was noted by the Nuggets 4-0 sweep to head to the NBA Finals which they eventually won in five games.
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PointsBet offers the best moneyline bet for the Warriors vs. Suns opening night matchup. First, let’s focus on the betting odds. If you shop across NBA sportsbooks, you can find both teams at -1 on the spread. However, we suggest choosing whoever you think is going to win straight up.
With a spread at -1, it’s not worth a few extra bucks to have a late-game free throw or long three be the difference between winning by two, pushing or losing your bet. Luckily, at -110 on PointsBet, you still get great odds on the moneyline.
Oddsmakers predict this to be a close one and we like the Warriors to come out on top. From what we’ve seen in preseason, Chris Paul and Stephen Curry click together. Steve Kerr will likely roll these two out together for periods during the game.
Paul also provides the advantage of facing his old team. The point guard has a high basketball IQ and is knowledgeable about the Suns personnel, even if Phoenix has a new coach.
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The undrafted guard from Oklahoma has proved his NBA-worthiness and is a key piece for the Lakers. The 25-year-old signed a four-year, $56 million contract in the summer, keeping him in Los Angeles.
Reaves averaged 1.3 threes on 3.4 attempts last year and he has been shooting the three-ball more as of late. The last time Reaves was on the court in a meaningful NBA game was the Western Conference Finals against the Nuggets. His three-point stats for that series read: 5-9, 5-9, 3-5 and 1-2. For those reasons, we like this prop on FanDuel Sportsbook.
In preseason Reaves shot 4-6, 1-2 and 3-4 from beyond the arc. More eyes will be on Reaves this season, but expect the guard to get open with both LeBron James and Anthony Davis drawing attention on the court with him.
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