NBA Preseason Picks Today: Five Games, Five Early Edges as New-Look Teams Take the Floor

🏀 NBA PRESEASON — TODAY'S SE360 BOARD

Preseason basketball requires a different approach.

Star power matters, but minutes, rotations, experimentation and player availability can matter even more. Coaches aren't necessarily trying to maximize a four-quarter result, which makes large spreads especially dangerous.

Today's official NBA slate contains five games. NBA.com

Based on the handicap prices supplied to SE360, here is our early board.

🔥 SE360 QUICK EDGE

Minnesota Timberwolves -3.5 @ 1.93 vs Indiana Pacers +3.5 @ 1.87
SE360 View: Indiana +3.5
Grade: B

Phoenix Suns -2.5 @ 1.92 vs Chicago Bulls +2.5 @ 1.88
SE360 View: Phoenix -2.5
Grade: B+

Orlando Magic -2.5 @ 1.96 vs Memphis Grizzlies +2.5 @ 1.85
SE360 View: Orlando -2.5
Grade: B

Milwaukee Bucks +14.5 @ 1.85 vs Oklahoma City Thunder -14.5 @ 1.96
SE360 View: Milwaukee +14.5
Grade: B

Golden State Warriors +12.5 @ 1.96 vs Portland Trail Blazers -12.5 @ 1.85
SE360 View: Portland -12.5 — but PASS at this number
Grade: PASS

🔥 SE360 TOP EARLY EDGE: Phoenix Suns -2.5 @ 1.92

MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES vs INDIANA PACERS

This may be the most interesting story of today's slate.

Tyrese Haliburton is set for his return after missing the entire 2025-26 season, and the location adds another dimension: the game is being played at Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa — Haliburton's former college home at Iowa State. He has said he is healthy and without restrictions. Axios

Minnesota has already played once this preseason, beating Milwaukee 116-97. Anthony Edwards logged only 18 minutes in that game, a reminder that normal regular-season assumptions don't necessarily apply in October exhibitions. PrizePicks

Indiana should have plenty of emotional energy surrounding Haliburton's return.

At +3.5, SE360 would rather take the points.

SE360 VIEW: Indiana Pacers +3.5 @ 1.87

Grade: B

PHOENIX SUNS vs CHICAGO BULLS

This is our favourite early position.

Phoenix lost its preseason opener to Detroit 109-107 after surrendering a substantial first-half advantage. The biggest problem was ball security — Phoenix committed 22 second-half turnovers. Bright Side Of The Sun

That's actually part of the attraction here.

Phoenix has already had an exhibition game to identify what needs cleaning up, whereas Chicago is making its preseason debut under new head coach Tiago Splitter. Bright Side Of The Sun

At only -2.5, we aren't being asked to lay a substantial number.

If Phoenix's main rotation again produces good early minutes and the turnovers come down, this is a very manageable spread.

🔥 SE360 PICK: Phoenix Suns -2.5 @ 1.92

Grade: B+

ORLANDO MAGIC vs MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES

Orlando being asked to cover only 2.5 points makes this interesting.

Memphis brings considerable young talent, while today's game offers another look at highly rated rookie Cameron Boozer. Current reports also indicate Ja Morant is now with Portland, making this a very different Memphis team from the one basketball fans became accustomed to. PrizePicks

With the spread effectively saying this is close to a toss-up, SE360 gives Orlando the slight edge.

But because preseason rotations can swing dramatically after halftime, this stays below our top selection.

SE360 VIEW: Orlando Magic -2.5 @ 1.96

Grade: B

MILWAUKEE BUCKS vs OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER

Now we reach the dangerous part of today's board.

14.5 points is enormous for preseason basketball.

Oklahoma City has the talent to create separation, but the Thunder have already demonstrated that their priority isn't necessarily preseason results. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander sat their opener as OKC managed its primary rotation players. NBA.com

That makes laying 14.5 uncomfortable.

Even if OKC builds a large advantage, extended bench minutes can dramatically change the final margin.

We therefore prefer taking the huge cushion.

SE360 VIEW: Milwaukee Bucks +14.5 @ 1.85

Grade: B

GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS vs PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS

This is the most fascinating matchup — and perhaps the best example of why SE360 doesn't force a bet.

Golden State played the Lakers only one night earlier and won 124-98. Today's game therefore comes on the second half of a preseason back-to-back. NBA.com

Portland, meanwhile, has a very different emotional setup.

Damian Lillard is preparing to return after his long Achilles rehabilitation, and Ja Morant could make his first preseason appearance as a Trail Blazer following his offseason move from Memphis. NBA.com

That makes Portland attractive.

But -12.5?

That's the problem.

Portland can be the more motivated team and still fail to cover a gigantic preseason handicap once the deep benches take over.

Our directional lean is Portland, but under the SE360 discipline we don't need to manufacture a selection just because five games are available.

SE360 VIEW: Portland -12.5

Official SE360 call: PASS

🏁 SE360 FINAL BOARD

🔥 TOP PICK: Phoenix Suns -2.5 @ 1.92 — B+

🎯 Indiana Pacers +3.5 @ 1.87 — B

🎯 Orlando Magic -2.5 @ 1.96 — B

🎯 Milwaukee Bucks +14.5 @ 1.85 — B

⚠️ Golden State +12.5 / Portland -12.5 — PASS

Odds shown are those supplied to SE360 and can move before tip-off. SportsEdge360 analysis is for informational and entertainment purposes. Bet responsibly and never wager more than you can afford to lose.