The NBA regular season will officially kick things off with an excellent doubleheader on NBC on Tuesday night, with Rockets vs. Thunder set to tip off the action at 7:30 p.m. ET, followed by Warriors vs. Lakers at 10:00 p.m. ET.
Our staff of basketball betting experts dug into the latest odds and identified 5 NBA picks for tonight's matchups.
Continue below for our NBA picks, odds, props, and predictions for Tuesday, October 21.
NBA Picks, Odds, Props, Predictions: Tuesday, October 21
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 7:30 p.m. | |
  | 10 p.m. | |
| 7:30 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. | ||
Rockets vs. Thunder
By Matt Moore
All eyes are on Kevin Durant tonight, for obvious reasons.
However, Sengun has been the best player on the Rockets for two seasons and looked like he leveled up in Eurobasket.
Meanwhile, the Thunder have rebounding issues, even when they have their two-big lineup with Isaiah Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren.
Sengun has hit 33 or more in six of his last eight matchups against the Thunder.
Sengun averaged more rebounds and assists without Jalen Green last year, and while Durant is a high-usage player, he’s more comfortable off-ball, which Sengun can benefit from.
I’m expecting a huge night from Sengun to start.
Pick: Alperen Sengun Over 33.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists (-110)
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Warriors vs. Lakers
By Joe Dellera
Reaves achieved this mark in four of five games with Luka Doncic and without LeBron James last season, and I expect this trend to continue.
I figure JJ will play them together sometimes, but he'll make sure at least one of them is always on the floor.
That creates staggered minutes where Reaves becomes the primary option for the Lakers.
Early in the season, when they shouldn’t push anyone too many minutes, this actually benefits Reaves — with Luka likely playing low-to-mid 30s minutes, Reaves gets at least 12 minutes to cook on his own.
This season, there are more scoring threats alongside them, even without LeBron, but most of these players still need facilitation.
Reaves is excellent at handling that responsibility.
Pick: Austin Reaves Over 5.5 Assists (+115)
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Rockets vs. Thunder
By Matt Moore
Without Jalen Williams, the over started taking sharp money yesterday, moving up two points from the opening line of 225.5.
If part of my cap is that the Thunder will create turnovers against Houston, those will turn directly into easier points for Oklahoma City.
The over was 4-1 in games between the Rockets and Thunder last season.
Houston’s size in the two-big lineups could lead to more free throws.
The over hit at a 55% clip last season when OKC’s opponent averaged more free throws than them.
Pick: Over 227.5 (-110)
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Warriors vs. Lakers
By Kyle Murray
Marcus Smart was brought in by the Lakers to help be a defensive stopper on the perimeter to patch things up for a few bad defenders.
While that might help him earn some minutes, there are still a few guys he will have to compete with, and it has already been announced that Gabe Vincent will start tonight.
In about a 20-minute projection, I have Smart slated for just 7.1 points in this spot. So, give me the under.
Pick: Marcus Smart Under 8.5 Points (-125)
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Warriors vs. Lakers
By Matt Moore
Butler has gone over this line in 14 of his last 20 games for Golden State, and 20 of his last 30.
With no LeBron James, the Lakers lose someone who can cut off passing lanes. The absence of LeBron's basketball IQ and an athletic rebounding should open up more for Butler.
Butler doesn’t have to score much against the Lakers, and he’ll benefit from a weak Lakers' defense.
Pick: Jimmy Butler Over 10.5 Rebounds + Assists (-115)
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