NBA PrizePicks Predictions for October 31st: Wembanyama, Portis, Lively Make Top Plays
In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into some of the top picks for the upcoming NBA slate on PrizePicks. Most predictions are heavily based on projections, but you can find an extra edge if you happen to know ball too.
PrizePicks – one of the most popular pick’em DFS sites – provides player projections for NBA matchups each day. The ball is then in our court to decide whether a player will ultimately exceed or fall short of those projections in the games. With a huge roster of players available from which to choose, we just need to make a minimum of two picks to build an entry. And if you haven’t signed up yet, you can grab a special offer with our PrizePicks promo code “GRINDERS” to get $50 on a $5 entry!
We’ll break down the board by looking at factors like usage rates, projected pace, lines in the sports betting market, and of course, our RotoGrinders projections to forecast how players might fare in categories like points, rebounds, and assists. For even more alternatives when making your PrizePicks picks, be sure to check out our fantasy pick’em tool.
Happy Halloween! I can think of no better way to ring out #SpookySZN than by winning a few bucks over at PrizePicks. We’ve got a nice little 4-game NBA slate on the schedule for tonight. As always, there’s value to be found if you know where to look for it. Let’s dive right in and build a winner.
PrizePicks Top NBA Plays for October 31
- Victor Wembanyama More/Less Than 4.5 Blocks + Steals
- Bobby Portis More/Less Than 13.5 Points
- Dereck Lively More/Less Than 6.5 Points
Editor’s Note: Looking for more places to play? Check out our Underdog promo code and Sleeper promo code, two of the best DFS apps available today.
Spurs vs. Jazz PrizePicks Predictions
Victor Wembanyama More/Less Than 4.5 Blocks + Steals
Things could be going better for Victor Wembanyama to start the season. After stuffing the stat sheet nightly as a rookie, Wemby looks a little rusty to start his sophomore campaign. His scoring average and offensive efficiency are way down, while he’s not making as much noise defensively either. After averaging 3.6 blocks and 1.2 steals last season, Wembanyama is contributing 2.8 blocks per game so far this season. His next steal will also be his first of the season.
Tonight’s matchup against the fast-paced Jazz is a favorable one. Wembanyama is averaging right around 30 minutes per game this season, though we’ll see how Gregg Popovich treats him tonight on the 2nd half of the back-to-back. Fortunately, Wemby doesn’t need to play 35-40 minutes to rack up defensive stats. Utah is yielding the most blocks per game in the league this season (8) after allowing the 3rd-most last season. They’re also one of just 6 teams allowing at least 10 steals per game.
You really couldn’t dream up a better matchup for Wembanyama to wreak defensive havoc. I like him to total more than 4.5 combined blocks and steals against the Jazz.
- PLAY: Wembanyama MORE Than 4.5 Blocks + Steals
Bucks vs. Grizzlies PrizePicks Predictions
Bobby Portis More/Less Than 13.5 Points
The Bucks are another team off to an iffy start, and we’re probably going to start hearing Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors before long if the hard times continue. This is largely the same roster we saw underwhelm last season, so perhaps this ragged beginning isn’t a huge surprise.
As has been the case for the last several seasons, Bobby Portis is playing his usual high-usage role off the bench. Portis’ 21.3% usage rate is the 3rd-highest on the team behind only Giannis and Damian Lillard. That could actually rise a bit moving forward, as Portis has been closer to 22-23% over the past couple of seasons. The Bucks will face off against a Grizzlies team that is allowing the 2nd-most 3-pointers per game early in the season.
Portis is efficient while he’s out there, so he doesn’t typically need more than mid-20s minutes in order to make a solid offensive impact. He’s averaged more than 13.5 points per game in each of the last 3 seasons, and I like his chances of topping that mark in this one.
- PLAY: Portis MORE Than 13.5 Points
Mavericks vs. Rockets PrizePicks Predictions
Dereck Lively More/Less Than 6.5 Points
Jason Kidd surprised some folks when he decided to start Daniel Gafford at center over Dereck Lively to begin the season, but Dallas’ 2nd-year big man is still playing a noteworthy role. Lively is actually playing an average of 6 more minutes per game than Gafford through 4 games, and it may be just a matter of time until he supplants Gafford as the starter.
Lively isn’t the kind of big man who’ll typically create his own shot. Fortunately for him, he happens to play alongside arguably the game’s best playmaker, Luka Doncic. He’s averaging a shade south of 10 points per game this season after averaging 8.8 last season in a slightly more limited role.
The Rockets have been stingy in terms of protecting the paint so far this season, but they don’t have a ton of rim protection beyond backup Steven Adams. Assuming Lively sees his usual 24-25 minutes off the bench, we’re not asking for too much by siding with him to score more than 6.5 points here.
- PLAY: Lively MORE Than 6.5 Points
Image Credit: Getty Images