NBA Predictions For October 19-21

By Chris Horton

12 Oct 2022

Chris Horton 12 Oct 2022

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This week’s NBA games
NBA insight, stats, and odds
Los Angeles Lakers at Golden State Warriors predictions
Chicago Bulls at Miami Heat predictions

Inform your NBA predictions ahead of this week's biggest matches with Pinnacle's weekly update, including analysis, team news, and the latest basketball odds.

Los Angeles Lakers at Golden State Warriors predictions
Philadelphia 76ers at Boston Celtics predictions
Chicago Bulls at Miami Heat predictions
Dallas Mavericks at Phoenix Suns predictions
Denver Nuggets at Utah Jazz predictions
Milwaukee Bucks at Philadelphia 76ers predictions

Los Angeles Lakers at Golden State Warriors predictions

The biggest game of the opening week of NBA fixtures takes place on Wednesday, October 19, when the Los Angeles Lakers take on the defending champions, the Golden State Warriors.

Despite winning the title in 2021-22, most of the build-up for the Warriors has been overshadowed by a preseason court fight between teammates Draymond Green and Jordan Poole.

Last season’s success was their fourth NBA title in the last eight years and with Steph Curry still to the fore, Golden State will feel they can go back-to-back this year.

The Warriors enjoyed a 3-1 success in last season’s four meetings between the two teams, but it was the Lakers who won their recent preseason game earlier in October, registering a 124-121 success.

Los Angeles have added a couple of experienced names to their roster in the close season, with former Boston Celtics forward Matt Ryan and ex-Houston Rockets point guard Dennis Schröder joining the team.

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Philadelphia 76ers at Boston Celtics predictions

It’s been 14 years since the Boston Celtics last lifted the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy, but they got so close to an 18th title last season.

Their hopes, though, have been hit by the season-long suspension of coach Ime Udoka, with his assistant Joe Mazzulla stepping in as interim boss.

In his sixth year in the NBA, Jayson Tatum is likely to be key again for the Celtics – he was the top scorer for the organisation last season with an average of 26.9 points per game.

Meanwhile, the 76ers go into the new campaign with arguably their strongest ever roster and with high hopes of winning their first title since 1983.

Joel Embiid was the league’s top scorer last season, James Harden plays his first full season in Philadelphia, and coach Doc Rivers has also brought in former Washington Wizards man Montrezl Harrell.

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Chicago Bulls at Miami Heat predictions

Two Eastern Conference rivals meet in their opening game as the Miami Heat host the Chicago Bulls, who reached the playoffs for the first time in five seasons last season.

The Heat topped the East in the regular season with a 53-29 record, before eventually losing out to the Boston Celtics in the Conference Finals.

Miami go into their season opener with a strong recent record against their opponents, having won eight of their last nine games against the Bulls – including a 127-109 win in Chicago back in April.

Six-time All Star Jimmy Butler scored 22 points in that victory and is likely to be a big influence again on this Miami team, which also includes English-born Serbian draft pick Nikola Jović.

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Dallas Mavericks at Phoenix Suns predictions

There is an all-Western Conference clash at the Footprint Center on Thursday, October 20, as last season’s regular season table-toppers face the team that finished fourth – with the Phoenix Suns hosting the Dallas Mavericks.

The home team finished the regular season with a 64-18 record before losing in the Conference Semi-finals to the Mavericks.

Jason Kidd impressed in his first season in charge of Dallas and he helped bring the best out of Luka Dončić, who averaged 28.4 points last season.

The Devin Booker-Deandre Ayton combination could be the key to success for Phoenix, who look to have a favourable run of fixtures at the start of the season.

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Denver Nuggets at Utah Jazz predictions

Two teams that made the playoffs last season meet on Thursday, October 20, as the Denver Nuggets travel to Salt Lake City to face the Utah Jazz.

The Jazz finished the regular season one place ahead of their opponents, but they both fell at the first hurdle in the playoffs – Utah losing in the first round to Dallas and Denver going down 4-1 to Golden State.

Utah will need to improve on their away form if they are to progress further this season, having had a 20-21 win-loss record on the road.

The Jazz had the edge over the Mavericks though last season, winning all four meetings – including a 104-108 win at the Vivint Smart Home Arena in April.

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Milwaukee Bucks at Philadelphia 76ers predictions

The 2021 NBA champions don’t start their campaign until Friday, October 21, when they are on the road in Philadelphia.

Many tipped the Milwaukee Bucks to go back-to-back last season, but injury problems for Giannis Antetokounmpo saw their star man only play 67 of their 95 games.

The Bucks will fancy their chances of making a winning start though, when you consider the 76ers will have played in Boston two days earlier.

Mike Budenholzer’s men have an impressive recent head-to-head record against Philadelphia, winning seven of their last eight meetings, which includes two wins in Philly last season.

Bet on Milwaukee Bucks at Philadelphia 76ers

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