The 2022-2023 NBA Season tips off on Tuesday, Oct. 18. From this Tuesday to April, teams will jockey for playoff positioning in their hopes of scoring rings. This week, there is no shortage of excellent pro hoops action. Top betting opportunities start on Wednesday when the Suns host the rival Mavericks. On Thursday, the Sixers face off against the Bucks and then on Friday, the Nuggets travel to the Warriors. Check out NBA Betting Lines, analysis, and free picks for six of this week’s best NBA matchups.
Week 1 Rundown of the Top Games to Must Watch & Bet On | NBA Lines
2022-23 NBA Week 1
- When: Tuesday, Oct. 18 – Sunday, Oct. 23
Dallas Mavericks at Phoenix Suns | Wednesday, Oct. 19
The Suns dominated the regular season but in the playoffs, Phoenix fell to Mark Cuban’s squad. Dallas had the Suns’ number in the postseason, which means Phoenix will be looking for a measure of revenge on Wednesday night.
The Suns won’t enter this game one-hundred percent. Starting power forward Cameron Johnson is listed as day-to-day as is back up point guard Cameron Payne.
But the Dallas team that beat the Suns in the playoffs last season is much different than the team that plays on Wednesday. Phoenix wins.
NBA Week 1 Pick: Phoenix Suns
Milwaukee Bucks at Philadelphia 76ers | Thursday, Oct. 20
Bucks versus 76ers could be a super early season preview of the Eastern Conference Finals. Both teams should make the playoffs. When it comes to this game, Giannis and his crew and Joel Embiid and his team can both win.
The Bucks, though, enter the game without Khris Middleton. Ah, but Brook Lopez is one-hundred percent. So he should counter at least some of Embiid’s dominance.
NBA Week 1 Pick: Milwaukee Bucks
Denver Nuggets at Golden State Warriors | Friday, Oct. 21
Golden State should win and cover, but nobody is sure how the Draymond Green incident, where Draymond threw a punch against Jordan Poole, affects the team.
Also, there’s a chance Jamal Murray plays in this. Murray turns the loaded Nuggets into an NBA Championship contender. Whether Murray plays or not, it’s worth backing Denver to upset Golden State this early in the season.
NBA Week 1 Pick: Denver Nuggets
Cleveland Cavaliers at Chicago Bulls | Saturday, Oct. 22
Chicago should be a solid team in 2022-2023. But the Bulls play on Friday. So this is the second of a back-to-back.
Not only that, but on paper at least, the Cavs are better. Cleveland’s backcourt, Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland, should be one of the best in the league. Evan Mobley projects to step into the best power forwards in the NBA category this season. Cleveland takes this.
NBA Week 1 Pick: Cleveland Cavaliers
Portland Trail Blazers at Los Angeles Lakers | Sunday, Oct. 23
The Lakers plan on experimenting with Russell Westbrook off the bench. That could work in LAL’s favor. It may not.
Portland’s starting five is much better than many believe. Damian Lillard and Anfernee Simons should be an effective backcourt while Jusuf Nurkic is a solid center. The Lakers are tough to back not knowing exactly how the team will perform after all the changes.
NBA Week 1 Pick: Portland Trail Blazers
Phoenix Suns at Los Angeles Clippers | Sunday, Oct. 23
For the first time since 2020, Kawhi Leonard is ready to step back onto the court. The Clippers play the Sacramento Kings early in the week.
So if you want to bet on Kawhi to lead the Clipps to a win, consider backing LAC in that game. In the first week, consistency could be the name of the game.
Leonard may need a contest or two to get back into the groove. The Suns start the season 2-0.
NBA Week 1 Pick: Phoenix Suns
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