NBA Picks for October 31, 2026

NBA Picks and Predictions for Saturday, October 31, 2026

Seven NBA games are on Saturday’s schedule, and a couple of them should be worth staying up for. Oklahoma City visits unbeaten Houston in a Western Conference matchup, Minnesota heads to San Antonio, and Cleveland travels to Milwaukee.

We’ve also got Sacramento trying to solve its defensive problems against Memphis, Philadelphia visiting Charlotte, and Portland heading into Utah for an afternoon game.

It’s still early in the season, and some of these teams are going to look very different a month from now. But the opening results have already given us some useful clues about defense, road performance and which clubs are struggling to finish games.

For more basketball predictions, visit our free NBA picks⁠.

Today’s NBA Picks

Portland Trail Blazers vs. Utah Jazz Best Bet

Portland has shown it can score, putting up 124 against Phoenix, 128 against Sacramento and 136 against the Lakers. But the Trail Blazers’ 124-103 loss to Memphis on Thursday showed the offense isn’t going to dominate every night. Memphis controlled that game, and Portland never really found its rhythm.

Utah has been competitive at times, but the Jazz haven’t defended consistently. They allowed 132 to the Lakers and 117 to San Antonio, which is a concern against a Portland team capable of scoring quickly.

Best Bet: Portland Trail Blazers Moneyline

I’ll take Portland to bounce back. Utah has home court, and the Jazz can make this competitive if they shoot well, but the Trail Blazers have shown the stronger offensive ceiling. Portland needs to defend better than it did against Memphis, but this is a reasonable opportunity to get back on track.

NBA Pick: Portland ML

Philadelphia 76ers vs. Charlotte Hornets Best Bet

Philadelphia has already beaten Cleveland, Milwaukee and Indiana, although the 76ers also suffered an ugly offensive performance against Detroit. They’ve shown enough scoring ability to win difficult games, but the consistency hasn’t always been there.

Charlotte has been competitive defensively, holding Detroit to 97 points on Wednesday. The problem was the Hornets scored only 89 themselves. Charlotte can’t afford another night like that against Philadelphia.

Best Bet: Philadelphia 76ers Moneyline

I’ll back Philadelphia on the road. The 76ers have shown more offensive reliability, and Charlotte’s scoring problems make the home team difficult to trust. The Hornets can certainly keep this close if they defend well, but Philadelphia has the stronger overall matchup.

NBA Pick: Philadelphia ML

Atlanta Hawks vs. New Orleans Pelicans Best Bet

Atlanta has been productive offensively, but the defense has been a problem. The Hawks allowed 129 points to Miami on Wednesday and have had difficulty slowing opponents down when the game opens up.

New Orleans is coming off a 132-120 victory over Sacramento on Thursday. The Pelicans finally got their offense moving after a disappointing 91-point performance against Denver. Playing at home gives New Orleans an opportunity to build on that result.

Best Bet: New Orleans Pelicans Moneyline

I’ll take New Orleans. Atlanta can score enough to win, and that makes this a dangerous matchup for the Pelicans. But New Orleans should have opportunities against a Hawks defense that has been inconsistent, and Thursday’s offensive improvement was encouraging.

NBA Pick: New Orleans ML

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. San Antonio Spurs Best Bet

Minnesota has been one of the better defensive teams during the opening week. The Timberwolves held Orlando to 93 points and Toronto to 94, although Golden State scored 119 in Wednesday’s victory over Minnesota.

San Antonio has been playing well too, beating Dallas, Sacramento and Utah. The Spurs scored 130 against the Kings, demonstrating they can take advantage of poor defensive teams. Minnesota, however, should present a much tougher challenge.

Best Bet: Minnesota Timberwolves Moneyline

I’ll take Minnesota in a close game. San Antonio has home court and enough offense to win, but the Timberwolves have demonstrated stronger defensive consistency. Minnesota should be able to make the Spurs work for their points, and that gives the visitors a slight edge.

NBA Pick: Minnesota ML

Sacramento Kings vs. Memphis Grizzlies Best Bet

Sacramento has had a difficult opening stretch, and defense has been the biggest problem. The Kings allowed at least 120 points in their first four games, including 130 against San Antonio. That’s not a good trend heading into Memphis.

The Grizzlies have been impressive. Memphis won its first four games, then went into Portland on Thursday and beat the Trail Blazers 124-103. The Grizzlies have shown they can win through defense and have been comfortable playing on the road.

Best Bet: Memphis Grizzlies Moneyline

I’ll back Memphis at home. Sacramento hasn’t shown enough defensive consistency to make me comfortable taking the Kings, and Memphis has been the more dependable team at both ends of the floor. The Grizzlies should generate enough scoring opportunities to control this matchup.

NBA Pick: Memphis ML

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Milwaukee Bucks Best Bet

Cleveland has been finding ways to win close games, including victories over Minnesota, Brooklyn and Washington. The Cavaliers lost 114-111 to Atlanta on Thursday, but they’ve generally been competitive offensively.

Milwaukee has struggled defensively. The Bucks allowed 132 points to Houston on Wednesday after previously giving up at least 125 in their first three games. That’s a difficult trend against a Cleveland team capable of scoring.

Best Bet: Cleveland Cavaliers Moneyline

I’ll take Cleveland on the road. Milwaukee has home court and enough talent to turn things around, but the Bucks haven’t defended consistently. Cleveland has been more dependable in close games, and I like the Cavaliers’ ability to create scoring opportunities against Milwaukee.

NBA Pick: Cleveland ML

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Houston Rockets Best Bet

This is the game I’m most interested in Saturday. Houston has opened 5-0, scoring at least 114 points in every game and beating Milwaukee 132-100 on Wednesday. The Rockets have been one of the league’s most productive offensive teams.

Oklahoma City started well but suffered a surprising 120-96 loss at Dallas on Wednesday. The Thunder had previously held Denver to 84 points and beaten the Clippers and Phoenix, so the defensive ability is there. But Houston is going to challenge them in a different way.

Best Bet: Houston Rockets Moneyline

I’ll take Houston at home. Oklahoma City has enough defensive ability to slow the Rockets down, and the Thunder could absolutely win if they control the pace. But Houston has been scoring consistently, and playing at home gives the Rockets another advantage. I’ll back the team that’s been more dependable offensively.

NBA Pick: Houston ML

NBA Best Bet of the Day

Memphis Grizzlies Moneyline against the Sacramento Kings is my NBA Best Bet of the Day. Memphis has been winning through defense, and Sacramento has struggled to prevent opponents from scoring. The Grizzlies also get home court against a team they already beat earlier in the season.

Sacramento has enough offensive ability to make things interesting, but Memphis has been the more complete team.

Final Pick: Memphis Grizzlies Moneyline