NBA Picks Today: 3 NBA Predictions and Best Bets for Friday, October 23

Friday’s Best NBA Picks at a Glance

• Magic Moneyline (+104)
• Spurs-Rockets Under 225.5 (-110)
• Jazz Moneyline (-106)

Friday’s NBA slate gives us a full menu of betting options, including several intriguing moneyline spots and a marquee Western Conference matchup in San Antonio.

With that in mind, here are three NBA best bets to consider for October 23.

All NBA odds come from FanDuel Sportsbook and are subject to change after this article is published. You can also check out our player news page to stay up to date with injury news.

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NBA Predictions for Today: Picks and Best Bets

Orlando Magic Moneyline (+104)

Minnesota Timberwolves at Orlando Magic — 7:00 p.m. ET

The Orlando Magic stumbled in their opener, but I’m willing to back them at plus money at home against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Orlando went 25-15 at home last season, and this core has already shown it can match up well with Minnesota. The Magic won both meetings between these teams in 2025-26, including a 132-120 home win in April and a dominant 119-92 road victory in March.

The biggest reason to expect a bounce-back is Orlando’s top-end offensive talent. Franz Wagner averaged 20.6 points per game last season while Paolo Banchero put up 22.2 points, 8.4 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game.

Minnesota looked excellent in its opener, but the T-Wolves might be a high-variance team this season due to taking so many threes.

Spurs-Rockets Under 224.5 (-110)

Houston Rockets at San Antonio Spurs — 9:30 p.m. ET

The matchup between the Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs features plenty of star power, but the under is the side that stands out to me.

San Antonio scored only 104 points in its season-opening loss to Oklahoma City, and the offense could need some time to settle into its new rotation now that Dylan Harper is starting. The Spurs are working multiple ball-handlers into the starting group while Victor Wembanyama is coming off a rough 1-for-13 shooting performance in the opener.

Houston also provides a difficult matchup. Ime Udoka’s Rockets have repeatedly graded as one of the league’s stronger defensive teams, and they have enough size inside to make San Antonio work for efficient shots around the basket.

On the other end, Wembanyama remains one of the NBA’s premier rim protectors after averaging 3.1 blocks per game last season, which gives San Antonio a chance to slow down Houston’s interior attack.

With both teams capable of forcing opponents into tougher half-court possessions, 224.5 looks high enough to target the under.

Utah Jazz Moneyline (-106)

New Orleans Pelicans at Utah Jazz — 9:30 p.m. ET

The Utah Jazz opened the season with a 123-103 loss at Memphis, but I think they bounce back tonight. The New Orleans Pelicans also enter at 0-1 after allowing 123 points to Indiana in their opener, and the Jazz have significantly more offensive firepower than their 22-win record from last season might suggest after reshaping the roster.

Lauri Markkanen remains the centerpiece after averaging 26.7 points and 6.9 rebounds per game last season, while Keyonte George averaged 23.6 points and 6.1 assists. Utah also added another frontcourt scoring option midseason last year in Jaren Jackson Jr., who averaged 22.3 points in his limited action with the Jazz last season, and second overall pick Darryn Peterson should be a boost for the offense, too.

Playing at Delta Center against a Pelicans team that won only 26 games last season gives Utah a favorable opportunity to pick up its first victory, and I like these near pick’em odds.

NBA Betting -- Frequently Asked Questions

What does the point spread mean in NBA betting?

The point spread is a margin set by oddsmakers to level the playing field between two unevenly matched teams. For example, if the Golden State Warriors are listed at -7.5, they need to win by 8 or more points for a bet on them to cash. Conversely, a bet on their opponent at +7.5 wins if that team loses by 7 or fewer points — or wins outright.

What is the moneyline?

The moneyline is a straight-up bet on which team wins the game, with no spread involved. Favorites carry a negative number (e.g., -200, meaning you must risk $200 to win $100), while underdogs carry a positive number (e.g., +170, meaning a $100 bet returns $170 profit).

How does the over/under (game total) work?

Oddsmakers set a projected combined score for the game, and bettors wager on whether the actual total will go over or under that number. For instance, if the total is set at 224.5 points, an over bet wins if both teams combine for 225 or more points. NBA totals can swing based on pace of play, rest situations, and injuries, so it's worth tracking those factors before placing a total bet.

What are NBA player props?

Player props are bets tied to an individual player's statistical performance rather than the game's outcome. Common prop bet markets include points scored, assists, rebounds, three-pointers made, and combinations of those stats.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.