The NBA regular season is back in full swing on Friday night, with a total of 12 matchups on the docket scheduled for today, featuring an excellent doubleheader on Amazon Prime Video, as Celtics vs. Knicks takes center stage at 7:30 p.m. ET, followed by Timberwolves vs. Lakers at 10:00 p.m. ET.
Our staff of basketball betting experts dug into the latest odds and identified a total of 5 NBA picks for tonight's matchups.
Continue below for our NBA picks, odds, props, and predictions for Friday, October 24.
NBA Picks, Odds, Props, Predictions: Friday, October 24
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 7:30 p.m. | |
  | 7 p.m. | |
  | 8 p.m. | |
  | 10 p.m. | |
  | 10 p.m. | |
Specific betting recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our NBA Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game. | ||
Celtics vs. Knicks
By Joe Dellera
The Celtics face off against the Knicks tonight, as they look to avenge their playoff elimination at the hands of New York.
One player I’m targeting is Derrick White.
White took 13 three-point attempts in the Celtics’ opener, and New York is still highly susceptible from beyond the arc.
They allowed Cleveland to shoot an unconscionable 46 three-point attempts which was MORE than 50% of their shots.
Now, they face a Celtics team who relies on a very similar shot profile.
When White takes 10+ three-point attempts he’s made 3+ or more in 28 of his last 30; he’s at 4+ in 20/30.
I fully expect the volume to be there with White’s expected shot profile.
Pick: Derick White Over 3.5 Three-Pointers Made (-125)
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Hawks vs. Magic
By Kyle Murray
I was excited to see how Bane would fit into this Orlando team, especially on the offensive end, and it was a strong sign to see him lead the way with a 30% usage rate in the first game of the regular season.
I don't think he will always lead the team in usage, but the fact that the big-3 for the Magic were all able to take at least 17 shots from the field goes to show that they will be able to spread out the offensive volume here.
I project Bane for 20.8 points, 5 assists, and 5.3 rebounds.
Pick: Desmond Bane Over 27.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists (-115)
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Heat vs. Grizzlies
By Bet Labs
This system targets NBA teams playing their second straight road game early in the season when travel fatigue is minimal and motivation remains high, which should be the case for the Heat entering tonight's matchup against the Grizzlies.
Teams in the first few weeks of the year tend to play with more focus and energy, especially when trying to establish rhythm and identity.
Oddsmakers often overvalue the difficulty of consecutive road games, assuming performance drops after one away trip, but early in the season that effect is less pronounced.
The spread range captures competitive matchups where the road team is not significantly overmatched, creating favorable value spots where effort and cohesion outweigh travel disadvantages.
These teams often respond well to continuity and early adversity, making them strong against the number before midseason fatigue and variance set in.
Pick: Heat +2.5 (-110)
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Warriors vs. Trail Blazers
This is a brutal spot for Golden State.
It’s the Warriors' third game in the last four nights, all of which have been at different locations.
They’re an old team relying on a handful of veterans. So, it wouldn’t be surprising to see a few key players sit out.
Portland lost a tight one to Minnesota in their opener. They are drawing the Warriors at the right time.
Pick: Trail Blazers Moneyline (+100)
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Timberwolves vs. Lakers
By Bet Labs
This system focuses on early season NBA games where playoff-caliber home teams play within their first few contests and totals are moderately high, which appears to be the situation in tonight's matchup between the Timberwolves and Lakers.
In the opening week, elite teams often showcase offensive rhythm and energy after months of preparation, with coaches emphasizing pace and spacing to set an early tone.
Defenses typically lag behind as rotations are tested and conditioning sharpens, leading to higher scoring outcomes than midseason averages.
When a strong home team that made the postseason returns to its home court early, crowd energy and comfort amplify scoring efficiency, particularly against less organized opponents.
With totals in the moderate range, the market tends to underestimate how sharp shooting and transition play perform before defensive schemes tighten, creating value on early season overs for proven, offensively talented squads.
Pick: Over 225.5 (-110)
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