NBA Preseason Best Bets October 14th: Lakers, Bucks, and Cavs Picks

Are you ready for some basketball?

The NBA season gets underway in another week, but fans and bettors can enjoy some preseason action tonight. Much like betting on NFL preseason games, betting on NBA preseason games can be a little tricky, but we are here to help.

The following are our best bets for the NBA preseason games scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 14 (odds via FanDuel).

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Detroit Pistons

The Cavs have gone winless so far in preseason play (0-3), falling 138-107 to the Boston Celtics in their last game. Detroit fell to 1-1 after losing to the Milwaukee Bucks 117-111 last Thursday. These two teams last played on March 28, last season, a game the Pistons won 133-122.

Detroit has made some changes from last year’s squad, adding Duncan Robinson in place of Malik Beasley and adding depth in several areas. So, they will likely want to work on the chemistry among the starting five and with bench players worked in.

Cleveland also has some new faces on the bench. With the regular season a week away, there is a chance both head coaches will focus more on their starting rotations, making this a pretty competitive game.

Our Pick: OVER 233.5 at -112

On paper, these teams look pretty even, making this a tough call for a regular-season matchup, with the spread being just 4.5 points. But with defense being even less of a concern in the preseason than it is in the regular season, I’d expect a high score.

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Milwaukee Bucks

The Bucks have been rolling through the preseason, recording a six-point win over the Bulls their last time out, 127-121, on Sunday to improve to 3-0 in preseason play. Oklahoma City, on the other hand, dropped to 2-2 with a loss to the Indiana Pacers Saturday, 116-111.

With the preseason winding down, we may see a little more of Giannis Antetokounmpo. Oklahoma City will likely be without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander; he is listed as day-to-day, but hasn’t played since their second preseason game vs. Charlotte.

Our Pick: Bucks +4.5

The starting five for the Thunder are all listed as day-to-day, and a few others are already listed as out. That tells me the Thunder are prioritizing health heading into the regular season, a week away.

But Milwaukee is expected to be closer to full strength, giving the Bucks an edge in this game.

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Phoenix Suns

The Lakers finally got their first win of the preseason, their last time out, taking down the Golden State Warriors at home, 126-116, to improve to 1-2. Phoenix, on the other hand, lost for the first time in preseason play, dropping one to the Brooklyn Nets 111-109 to fall to 2-1.

We already know that we are not going to see LeBron James take the court for the Lakers. But fans will turn out to see the team’s future make his preseason debut, Luka Doncic. Neither team has played in too many high-scoring games this preseason. The highest for the Suns was a 132-127 OT win over the Nets; for the Lakers, it was the win over Golden State, 126-116.

Our Pick: Lakers -5.5

It’s a low total for a preseason game. With how both teams have played so far, it could easily go either way. After being dominated by Phoenix in their preseason opener, 103-81, and with Luka playing, I see the Lakers as having the advantage tonight.