The NBA delivers its first full slate of games today, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026, and two games headline it. Timberwolves vs. Heat tips at 7:30 p.m. ET, then Warriors vs. Lakers follows at 10 p.m. ET, both on ESPN.
I put together four NBA DFS picks, one per team, and every one comes from Underdog. Sign up with Underdog promo code TOPACTION and play $10 on my entry below, and get a $50 offer in bonus funds.
Underdog NBA DFS Picks at a Glance Today
This table of NBA DFS picks lists one pick per team, my direction, and the Underdog line with its price. Underdog moves lines through the day, so confirm each number yourself on one of the best DFS apps:
| Team | Player | My Pick |
|---|---|---|
| Timberwolves | LaMelo Ball | Higher, made threes |
| Heat | Davion Mitchell | Higher, assists |
| Warriors | Stephen Curry | Higher, points |
| Lakers | Luka Doncic | Higher, points |
Timberwolves: LaMelo Ball Higher on Made Threes
Minnesota is one of the fastest team in the league, and that pace feeds Ball’s shot volume. These numbers back my first of today’s NBA DFS picks:
- Ball averaged 20.1 points, 7.1 assists and 3.8 made threes in just 28.0 minutes per game.
- He played 72 games, including 56 straight to close the season.
- Stretch 3.8 threes across 32 minutes and he lands near 4.3.
- Minnesota ranked ninth in the NBA in pace at 103.4 possessions per 48 minutes.
Anthony Edwards averaged the third most points per game in the league last season, so he draws the top defender. That frees Ball for open looks. I take Higher.
Heat: Davion Mitchell Higher on Assists
Mitchell runs the Miami offense and feeds Giannis Antetokounmpo in his Heat debut. Here is why he anchors my second of the NBA DFS picks:
- Mitchell averaged 6.5 assists in 28.6 minutes last season with a 4.19 assist to turnover ratio.
- He dished 21 assists across four preseason games while playing about 18 minutes.
- The Heat averaged 29.0 assists and 120.9 points per game last season.
- Giannis and Klay Thompson add elite finishing and shooting.
Stretch his rate over 30 minutes and he reaches roughly 6.8 assists. I take Higher.
Warriors: Stephen Curry Higher on Points
Curry carries a thin Golden State roster, so volume favors him. These facts drive my third entry among the NBA DFS picks:
- Curry averaged 26.6 points in 30.9 minutes last season, shooting .468 from the field and .393 from three.
- Jimmy Butler, Moses Moody and Kristaps Porzingis all sit out the opener. Those shots flow to Curry.
- Steve Kerr says Curry is fine after the ankle tweak and expects him to play. ESPN still lists him as a pregame decision.
- Across two preseason games against the Lakers, Curry scored 27 points in 37 minutes and hit 6 of 13 from deep.
I take Higher, but I check the final injury report before I lock.
Lakers: Luka Doncic Higher on Points
Doncic leads a Lakers team without LeBron James, which makes him the clear focal point. This closes out my NBA DFS picks:
- Doncic averaged 33.5 points and 8.3 assists last season.
- Oddsmakers rank him third in the league in point spread value, his highest mark in the years of that survey.
- Oddsmakers make the Lakers favorites by 5.5 to 7.5 points, depending on the book.
- His 19.7 preseason points per game reflect minute management, not a drop in talent.
Golden State misses Butler and Porzingis up front, so Doncic attacks the rim with little resistance. I take Higher.
Underdog Promo Code TOPACTION: Play $10, Get $50
New users unlock the welcome offer in four quick steps. Follow this list to put my four NBA DFS picks above into action today:
- Register now through the Underdog sign up page.
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If you like my breakdown of these four plays, sign up with Underdog today and put that $50 to work on your first slate.
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