NBA Tips for Wednesday, October 22nd 2025

We have NBA picks and predictions for Opening Day, which features the Rockets vs. Thunder and Warriors vs. Lakers.

Our picks include a best bet and NBA same game multi, and we’re looking forward to another big year of the National Basketball Association.

Rockets vs. Thunder Predictions

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Best Bet

Rockets +7.5 @ $1.90

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The Rockets are our best bet to win the NBA title this season, and we think they can hang with the defending champions in the opening game.

The addition of Kevin Durant won’t guarantee them success, as it didn’t in Phoenix. However, the Rockets have already built up their young talent, and he should slot into the primary scorers role without much fuss.

It could take the Thunder a few games to showcase their best ability, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander could be asked to do a lot in the opening game. Therefore, we’re backing the Rockets to keep it close with a +7.5 spread.

It’s a generous line with NBA odds, and they also have a chance of winning outright $3.36 for a bit of value.

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Same Game Multi

Rockets +7.5, Kevin Durant 25+ Points, Alpen Sengun 8+ Rebounds, Over 226.5 Points @ $7.25

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We’re backing two of Houston’s best in our NBA SGM, including Durant 25+ points. He’s an elite scorer, and he should get plenty of opportunity to score on the Thunder defence.

Oklahoma City will struggle to contain his length. They might have to switch Chet Holmgren onto him at the three-point line, and Durant’s dribble, albeit not the strength of his game, should be enough to get around Holmgren.

We also like Alpen Sengun 8+ rebounds. He has rebounding totals of 11, 10, 9, 14, and 14 from his last five NBA games, and he should be there to collect many of the Thunder misses.

It should be a high-scoring contest, so include over 226.5 points. We see the final score being around 118-112, so that gives punters enough wiggle room to cash the over.

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Warriors vs. Lakers Predictions

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Best Bet

Warriors –1.5 @ $1.90

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The Lakers don’t have LeBron James at their disposal for this game, which should give the advantage to Steph Curry and the Warriors.

They have a better team top to bottom, including Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green, and new addition Al Horford. That’s a wealth of experience, and although the Lakers have Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, we’re not convinced adding Deandre Ayton was the right move.

He could stifle the offence, and he hasn’t been much of a force for a few years. Therefore, we’re backing Golden State to enter Los Angeles and exit with a victory. The Warriors have title ambitions, and it could take some time for the Lakers to gel.

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Same Game Multi

Warriors –1.5, Jimmy Butler 20+ Points, Deandre Ayton Under 14.5 Points, Under 224.5 Points @ $12.75

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Butler could make a statement in his first game of the season. He’s an economical scorer, and although he’s unlikely to go for 30+ points, he is a grand chance to score at least 20 points.

He should take plenty of shots, with Curry looking to get his teammates involved. We expect him to dominate inside the three-point line and quietly go about his business with a top performance on Wednesday.

Conversely, we expect Ayton to struggle. He will get touches in the paint, but his work rate isn’t good. The line is set at 14.5 points for a reason, and most of the money has come for the under, so it’s worth including in NBA SGM picks.

The Lakers could struggle to score, despite having Doncic. That’s why we’re including under 224.5 points, as the final score could be around 110-104 to the Warriors.

Editor In Chief

Daryl Curnow

After graduating from the University of Auckland (BA - English), Daryl was thrown into the world of sports and horse racing journalism.

Having worked as a racing journalist for two years, he decided to move into the online world of horse racing and sports writing. After years of honing his craft, Daryl became a professional punter in 2009 - with a focus on horse racing, NRL, AFL, NBA, Rugby, NFL, and US college sports.

Daryl's tips have been featured on various websites around the world before joining the GoBet team. When he's not working, Daryl tries to avoid making bogeys on the golf course.