Obviously, then, we will cover all four showdowns in our latest NBA betting picks, with a special focus on how the New York Knicks will look to make a statement vs. the Chicago Bulls.
Before you do anything else, take a gander at the latest NBA odds, courtesy of BetOnline:
| Favorite |  | | Underdog |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta Hawks | -128 | +108 | Washington Wizards |
| Chicago Bulls | -120 | +100 | New York Knicks |
| Utah Jazz | -405 | +325 | Houston Rockets |
| Golden State Warriors | -210 | +180 | Memphis Grizzlies |
Always make sure to double-check these NBA betting lines for accuracy before committing to any NBA picks. The lines could keep moving at BetOnline and other top online sportsbooks ahead of all the opening tips.
NBA Betting Picks for Knicks-Bulls
Please note that all of our NBA betting predictions were made roughly 24 hours before the scheduled start times. Be on the lookout for any breaking news that could impact game lines and outcomes.
For those who might be new to basketball betting, last-minute lineup changes are the most common factors that contribute to sudden adjustments in odds. The NBA is very cognizant of rest nights for its stars, so there will sometimes be marquee players who wind up as late scratches. That shouldn't stop you from making early-bird NBA predictions, but you'll want to do the best you can to stay up on the latest injury reports.
Anyway, on to our NBA picks, beginning with the Knicks vs. Bulls.
Knicks to Hand Bulls First Loss of the Season
Let's make one thing clear: The Bulls are not fool's gold. They are going to be better than people thought.
But it's important to keep their 4-0 record in perspective. All of their victories have come on the back of an aggressive defense. The thing is, they haven't yet faced a true offensive challenge. They've gone up against the sad-sack Detroit Pistons twice, the New Orleans Pelicans without Zion Williamson and the Toronto Raptors without Pascal Siakam.
The Knicks will pose a much different challenge. Their offense is starting to show a certain oomph. Kemba Walker and Evan Fournier both rank inside the top 10 of made off-the-dribble threes, and the bench is once again lighting it up.
Given how much the Bulls offense has struggled with its new additions, we're inclined to give the Knicks an edge.
OSB Prediction: New York Knicks (+100)
Hawks Win a Close One Against the Wizards
This game is tougher than it should be to predict. The Atlanta Hawks are clearly the better team—by a mile. But this will be the second end of a back-to-back and also their first back-to-back of the season. We're not yet sure whether star center Clint Capela will play, and how much time he'll see if he does.
Still, the Hawks remain the most sensible bet.
Trae Young isn't quite supernova right now, but his supporting cast of John Collins, Cam Reddish, De'Andre Hunter and Bogdan Bogdanovic, along with Capela, has been absolutely fantastic.
OSB Prediction: Atlanta Hawks (-128)
Utah Should Absolutely Obliterate Houston
The Houston Rockets deserve a ton of credit for playing hard. They kept things close against the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday. But they are young. Rookie Jalen Green and third-year point guard Kevin Porter Jr. are going to make mistakes, and they continue to lack a tried-and-true floor general to get them into their offense.
Going up against the Utah Jazz will be a reality check. They remain a seasoned contender. The starting lineup is currently annihilating opponents by 30 points per 100 possessions when they're on the court.
Even if Donovan Mitchell's shooting percentages continue to wax and wane, this is a game Utah should win by double digits.
OSB Prediction: Utah (-405)
Golden State Easily Dispatches Memphis
It turns out the Golden State Warriors are actually going to be good this year. Their defense is frantic, and the offense has finally found a pulse beyond Stephen Curry thanks to third-year player and breakout-candidate Jordan Poole.
Indeed, the Memphis Grizzlies always seem to play the Warriors to a near-draw. They may once again be underrated, too. Ja Morant has made the superstar turn, and the starting five currently has an offensive rating verging on 150.
That said, the Grizzlies just got their butts whooped on Wednesday night by the Portland Trail Blazers. Head coach Taylor Jenkins pulled his main players early so as not to overwork them, but we can't bring ourselves to predict an upset on the second night of a back-to-back when the contest in question comes against a Warriors squad currently on collective fire. This game has blowout potential.
OSB Prediction: Golden State Warriors (-210)
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