If you want more Action Network content, be sure to add us as a preferred source on Google.
After three games on Opening Night, we have our first full slate of the new NBA season. In the nation's capital, the Wizards were anticipating the debut of No. 1 overall pick AJ Dybantsa. Instead, they will have to settle for Anthony Davis and Trae Young playing together as teammates for the first time.
Another new connection will happen in New Orleans, where the Pacers will have Tyrese Haliburton making his return. This will be the first game he plays with Ivica Zubac as the Pacers look for a season-opening victory over the Pelicans.
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. Let's get into my NBA parlay picks and SGP predictions for Wednesday, October 21.
Download the Action Network app now for more NBA picks and analysis!
NBA Parlay Picks for Bucks vs Wizards
The Angle: AD / Trae Connection Leads Wizards to Victory
Anthony Davis 20+ Points
At last year's trade deadline, the Wizards pulled off a shocking trade, acquiring Anthony Davis from the Mavericks. With Davis recovering from an injury and the Wizards tanking last season, he still didn't play with the team.
While he will make his official debut tonight, Davis was active in the preseason as he averaged 13.3 points and 9.7 rebounds in 22 minutes per game. In those games, Davis led the Wizards with a 28.2% usage rate.
Despite finishing 29th in offensive rating last season, the Wizards return seven players who were double-digit scorers. Additionally, Dybantsa profiles as a high-usage, volume scorer, but he will be out tonight. While the Wizards hope Dybantsa becomes the face of their franchise, Davis is currently their best player and they have made him a focal point in the early going.
Davis has not played the Bucks since 2024, but scored 22 and 34 points in his last two games against them. Last season, the Bucks finished 26th in defensive rating and could be even worse this season with Giannis Antetokounmpo now in Miami. Davis may also benefit from being set up by Young in the pick-and-roll.
Pick: Anthony Davis 20+ Points
Trae Young Over 9.5 Assists
The Wizards also acquired Young after they were out of the playoff race, but he played just five games with the team. As a Wizard, Young averaged 6.2 assists per game in 20.7 minutes, which would put him on track for 10 assists on a regular night.
Young was limited to 15 games last season between the Hawks and Wizards. However, in his final four full seasons in Atlanta, Young averaged 10.5 assists while playing 35 minutes per game. He led the league in the 2024-25 season when he averaged 11.6 per game.
Those Hawks teams played fast, just as the Wizards are expected to do under Taylor Jenkins. Like Davis, Young will benefit from the matchup against the Bucks' bad defense and that should help 10 assists or more tonight.
Pick: Trae Young Over 9.5 Assists
Wizards Moneyline
In the Eastern Conference, there is typically a team or two below .500 in the playoffs and/or Play-In Tournament, but the top 10 seeds in the East last season all finished .500 or better. This season, making the playoffs will be even more difficult with several teams making notable additions.
However, I'm not counting out the team that finished last season with a worst record emerging as a surprise playoff contender. Davis and Young lead the way as they provide veteran leadership as former All-Stars who have played in the Eastern Conference Finals (Young) and won a championship (Davis); the roster features a ton of young talent led by Alex Sarr, Kyshawn George, Tre Johnson, Will Riley, and eventually Dybantsa; Davis and Sarr should form one of the better defensive frontlines in the league.
However, if they are going to be a team that challenges for the playoffs, tonight is a game they have to win. As the Bucks enter their rebuilding phase without Giannis, they project to be one of the worst teams in the league. The Wizards already took the last three meetings from the Bucks last season and figure to be improved this season.
They are home favorites tonight, but the odds are still rather favorable because they will need to earn their respect. They have also covered seven of the last 10 meetings with the Bucks, though this will be the first time as a favorite.
Pick: Wizards Moneyline
Same Game Parlay Building Blocks (+300)
- Anthony Davis 20+ Points
- Trae Young Over 9.5 Assists
- Wizards Moneyline
Compounding Angle (+1200)
- Anthony Davis 25+ Points
- Trae Young 12 Assists
- Wizards -4.5
NBA Parlay Picks for Pacers vs Pelicans
The Angle: Haliburton Returns to Reloaded Pacers Lineup
Tyrese Haliburton Over 8.5 Assists
The Pacers made the Eastern Conference Finals in consecutive years and even got within a game of winning the NBA Finals. However, after Haliburton tore his Achilles in Game 7, last year turned into a lost season for the Pacers when their franchise player was sidelined.
When healthy, Haliburton has established himself as one of the league's best playmakers. He has averaged at least eight assists per game in each of his last four seasons and nine assists per game in the last three. He led the NBA in assists in the 2023-24 season, averaging 10.9 assists per game.
The Pacers have ranked top seven in pace in each of the last three years. Haliburton excels as a decision-maker in transition and Indiana will look to play as fast as they can with him back in control of the offense. The Pacers' tempo should give Haliburton plenty of potential assist opportunities.
He has had 20 potential assists in three of his last five games against the Pelicans, averaging 17.6 per game. He has converted them into 10 assists in four of his last five games against them. In a game with a total approaching 240 points, Haliburton may just have a double-double with assists in his first game back.
Pick: Tyrese Haliburton Over 8.5 Assists
Ivica Zubac 25+ Points and Rebounds
Zubac has long been established as a starting-level center as he is approaching his 500th start in the league. However, his game went to another level when the Clippers acquired James Harden. Zubac went from a player you would expect about 10 points and 8 rebounds from to a 16-and-12 player over the last two years.
The two have gone their separate ways now, but Zubac has another elite playmaker to set him up in Indiana. Though it was just preseason, there were already signs of the chemistry Haliburton and Zubac will develop this season. Averaging just 19 minutes, Zubac had a double-double in his final two preseason games while Haliburton had six assists in two of three preseason games.
Zubac has also averaged 17 points and 12 rebounds in his last four games against the Pelicans, recording a double-double in all of them. Last season, the Pelicans ranked 28th in points in the paint allowed and rebounds to centers. While they did make a coaching change, they brought the same three centers, with Derik Queen, in particular, being a poor defender. Look for Zubac to exploit that matchup tonight with assistance from Haliburton.
Pick: Ivica Zubac 25+ Points and Rebounds
Pascal Siakam 20+ Points
Zubac will not be the only Pacer benefiting from Haliburton's return, as Pascal Siakam will be happy to see him as well. In two seasons playing with Haliburton, Siakam has averaged 21.3 points and 20.2 points per game. Last season, the Pacers needed him to up his game a notch amid so many injuries.
It did not translate to many wins, but Siakam averaged 24 points per game last season, the second-highest mark of his career. Siakam has developed into being a three-level scorer and is nearly shooting 50% for his career. With Zubac in town instead of Myles Turner, Siakam may be tasked with shooting more 3-pointers to help space the floor. However, he has made himself into a capable long-range shooter as well.
With Haliburton and Zubac back, Siakam's points figure to decrease. However, he should still be able to crack 20 points tonight, particularly in what should be a high-scoring season opener.
Pick: Pascal Siakam 20+ Points
Same Game Parlay Building Blocks (+450)
- Tyrese Haliburton Over 8.5 Assists
- Ivica Zubac 25+ Points and Rebounds
- Pascal Siakam 20+ Points
Compounding Angle (+2500)
- Tyrese Haliburton To Record A Double-Double
- Ivica Zubac 15+ Points and 12+ Rebounds
- Pascal Siakam 25+ Points
