NBA Picks & Predictions for PrizePicks Today: October 23
NBA Opening Night only gave us an appetizer with two games, but tonight we’ve got the main course with 10 games. Several matchups on Wednesday feature playoff teams, and we'll see familiar faces in new places.
We’ve got NBA picks and predictions for today’s full slate of games on PrizePicks below.
We’ll preview two games to target for NBA DFS, as the Philadelphia 76ers' face their recent Eastern Conference-rival the Milwaukee Bucks, as well as the Clippers taking on the Phoenix Suns in their new arena.
Below, we will preview and analyze both games on the NBA DFS slate, along with injury news, NBA projections, and picks and predictions on PrizePicks. You can find today’s full NBA DFS projections on the PrizePicks app.
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NBA Picks & Predictions for PrizePicks Today
Find game previews, NBA injuries, and PrizePicks picks and projections below.
Bucks vs. 76ers: Preview, Time, TV
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
How to Watch: ESPN
The Bucks had a turbulent 2023-24 season that included a quick change from a rookie head coach to a former championship-winning coach. They aimed to be more offensively focused with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, but Lillard's late arrival hindered their ability to develop chemistry.
Their core allows them to be offense-focused, as they ranked sixth in adjusted offensive rating (117.6) but 19th in adjusted defensive rating (115.3). Despite Lillard's scoring prowess, Antetokounmpo remains their go-to player. He was second in points per game last year (30.4), and for the second straight year, he averaged 30+.
After another early playoff exit for center Joel Embiid, the 76ers made more changes. Their biggest acquisition was former Clippers star Paul George, who is also seeking his first title. However, both will be sidelined for the season opener.
George played the most games for the Clippers last season (74) but posted some of his lowest stats during his time there, with 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game.
Embiid, coming off his MVP season, missed 43 games due to injury. Although he didn’t play enough to qualify, his 34.7 points per game would have led the league, and his 11 rebounds would have ranked seventh. However, he'll be sidelined for this game.
Suns vs. Clippers: Preview, Time, TV
Time: 10:00 p.m. ET
How to Watch: ESPN
It’s a new era for the Clippers, who will play their first regular season game in their own arena, the $2.1 billion Intuit Dome. It will also be their first regular season game without George, who left in free agency.
They will miss George's offensive contributions, as he was second on the roster in points scored per game (22.6) with a team that was top five in adjusted offensive rating (118.3). Defensively they finished 17th in adjusted defensive rating (114.9) for the second year in a row.
The Suns, despite another disappointing season, retained their core trio of Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, and Bradley Beal. Although some speculated they might break up the trio due to cap issues and lack of depth, the Suns opted to keep them and add more supporting players, including Tyus Jones and Mason Plumlee.
The Suns are efficient on both ends of the court, finishing ninth in Adjusted Offensive Rating (117.3) and 12th in Adjusted Defensive Rating (114.2) last season.
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NBA Injuries Today
- Clippers F Kawhi Leonard: Clippers F Kawhi Leonard is out indefinitely after he missed most of their first-round loss with a meniscus tear. Staying healthy has been an issue throughout his Clippers tenure, as he has missed 181 of a possible 410 regular season games and 14 of 22 playoff games.
- 76ers C Joel Embiid: Embiid will miss at least the first three games due to a knee issue. This will take away the 76ers' best scoring option and their most dominant frontcourt presence. Andre Drummond will start at center.
- 76ers F Paul George: Philadelphia’s second-best scoring option, George, hyperextended his knee on October 14 and will be evaluated later this week. He will not play on Wednesday. It should open more minutes for Kelly Oubre Jr., Caleb Martin, and KJ Martin.
- Bucks G Khris Middleton: Middleton is still recovering from offseason ankle surgery. He hasn’t participated in 5-on-5 drills yet, and it may be a while before he returns. Middleton's absence removes one of the Bucks' best three-point shooters.
NBA Picks for PrizePicks Today
Bucks F Giannis Antetokounmpo 47.5 Pts+Rebs+Asts — More
With Embiid out, Antetokounmpo will have a clear advantage in the front court. Caleb Martin (111.1 Defensive Rating) and Andre Drummond (113.3) will try to contain him, but Giannis boasts a 34.3 defensive rebound percentage. Expect a massive performance from the Greek Freak tonight with no one to contain him around the rim.
76ers G Tyrese Maxey 28.5 Points — More
With Embiid and George out, Maxey will be the 76ers' primary offensive option. When Embiid was absent last season, Maxey averaged 25.6 points per game and finished the season with 25.9. He also scored 30+ points in three of four games against the Bucks last year.
Clippers G James Harden 22.5 Points — More
With George gone and Leonard out, plus Russell Westbrook now in Denver, Harden becomes the main offensive focal point. Harden had a 29.6% usage rate without those three on the floor last season.
Although he didn’t maintain his streak of averaging 20+ points per game last season, Harden is still a former MVP and three-time scoring champion. In two games against the Suns last season, he scored 19 and 22 points. The Suns allowed the tenth-most points per game to point guards last year (24.9).
Suns G Devin Booker 25.5 Points — More
Booker and Durant led the Suns last season with 27.1 points per game. Booker is the safer pick to lead in scoring against the Clippers, who allowed the seventh-most points to point guards last year, at 25.7 points per game.
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