Welcome to Same Game Parlay Strategy Guide Playbook. For each game, we've built a solid base parlay to get us started, followed by a spicier, compounding angle using alternate lines for a deeper long-shot payout.
Tonight, ESPN's doubleheader features the star-studded 76ers and Thunder, who are both road favorites. Let's get into my NBA parlay picks and SGP predictions for Wednesday, October 28.
If you want more Action Network content, be sure to add us as a preferred source on Google and download the Action Network app for more NBA picks and analysis!
NBA Parlay Picks for 76ers vs. Pacers
The Angle: Maxey & Embiid Lead 76ers Against Shorthanded Pacers
Tyrese Maxey Over 24.5 Points
Adding Jaylen Brown and LeBron James to the mix will have head coach Nick Nurse trying to figure out how to keep all of his stars happy all season. However, one thing that does appear to be clear is Tyrese Maxey will not be the one doing much sacrificing.
Through the 76ers' first four games, Maxey is averaging 28.8 points per game. He has scored 25 points in each of those games, including 28 and 32 points in the two games with Brown, James, Joel Embiid, and VJ Edgecombe all active.
Maxey has a 30% usage rate and is leading the team with 22 field goal attempts per game. He is averaging nearly 30 points per game despite getting off to a slow start from deep. Maxey is shooting 30% on 7.5 3-point attempts per game. Maxey shoots nearly 38% for his career, so his early slump from three will not last long and that is not good news for the Pacers.
Maxey is already averaging 31.9 points over his last nine games against the Pacers. He has scored 25 points in seven of those games and 30 in four of them, including games of 50 and 45 points.
Pick: Tyrese Maxey Over 24.5 Points
Joel Embiid 20+ Points
Ivica Zubac has already been ruled out with a sprained left ankle. That also means the Pacers will have one less big body to throw at Joel Embiid.
The Sixers have already shown a willingness to exploit a matchup for whichever one of their stars has an advantage and Embiid should have one down low tonight. The Pacers have allowed 48 points in the paint in three of their first four games.
Meanwhile, Embiid scored 13 points in the season opener, but has since scored 24 points and 28 points in his last two games. He has scored 27 points in six of his last seven games against the Pacers and 30 points in five of them.
Pick: Joel Embiid 20+ Points
76ers Moneyline
In addition to Zubac, the Pacers will also be without Tyrese Haliburton, TJ McConnell, and potentially Andrew Nembhard. The Sixers were already favored by 5.5 points and the line has moved up a point or two depending on the book.
I liked the Sixers to win anyway and injury luck is on their side tonight as they will not have any notable absences while the Pacers will be shorthanded in the backcourt, most notably without Haliburton. Look for Maxey and Embiid to lead the way tonight.
Pick: 76ers Moneyline
Same Game Parlay Building Blocks (+261 via FanDuel)
Compounding Angle (+1344)
NBA Parlay Picks for Thunder vs Mavericks
The Angle: Mara Steps Up to Help Shorthanded Thunder Cover
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 30+ Points
It has not been a great week in Oklahoma City as Jalen Williams (broken left fibula and dislocated ankle) and Cason Wallace both suffered injuries that will keep them out for an extended period of time. The Williams' injury is particularly tough because he battled injuries so often last season in their title defense. Tonight, they will also be without Chet Holmgren and Alex Caruso and Ajay Mitchell is questionable.
The Thunder have dealt with a lot of injuries over the last couple of years, but the one constant has typically been Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Over the last four seasons, SGA has averaged 30 points per game while playing 68 games every year. That consistency has earned him four straight top five MVP finishes and he has won the last two.
SGA had scored 20 points in 141 straight games, but that ended last Thursday when he finished with 17 points against the Nuggets in a poor shooting night. As a result, he is only averaging 27.3 points per game while shooting 47.8% through his first four games. Still, he has scored 25 points in three of his first four games and 30 points in two of them. He is also averaging 29.6 points over his last 16 games against the Mavericks while scoring 30 points in 11 of those games.
Pick: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 30+ Points
Aday Mara Over 14.5 Points + Rebounds
One beneficiary of Holmgren being out on Monday was Aday Mara. The 12th overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, Mara made an immediate impact with seven points, two rebounds, and a block of Victor Wembanyama in his NBA debut. He played sparingly over the next two games before recording 11 points, 10 rebounds, and two blocks against the Suns.
Mara went 4-for-6 from the field, but his night was not flawless as he committed five fouls in 20 minutes. It is uncommon for a young big (particularly a shot blocker) to struggle staying out of foul trouble, but if he is able to, Mara should be in for a big night.
Dallas is last in the league in points in the paint allowed, 29th in rebounds allowed, and 27th in points allowed to centers. With 20 minutes again tonight, Mara should be able to comfortably clear his points and rebounds line again. However, he may also be in line for another double-double as well.
Pick: Aday Mara Over 14.5 Points + Rebounds
Thunder -5.5
The Thunder are off to a 4-0 start and are 3-1 against the spread. Despite beign shorthanded on Monday, they still won and covered a 125-114 victory over the Suns. As long as SGA is in, they are able to keep the machine rolling and often still win by double digits with multiple players sidelined.
Tonight, they will need to win by six to cover. They have won four of the last six meetings against the Mavericks and all four of those victories were by at least seven points. Dallas is 2-2 thus far, but its losses were by 18 to Houston and 16 to San Antonio.
Pick: Thunder -5.5
