Basketball Plays of the Day for October 27: NBA Betting Picks
Charlotte Hornets vs. Orlando Magic
Wednesday, October 27, 2021 at 7 p.m. ET at Amway Center in Orlando
Tempo
One significant reason why the "over" is 3-1 in Charlotte's games so far is its uptick in tempo relative to last year.
At the beginning of the season, the NBA odds are influenced more strongly by last year.
It takes time for oddsmakers to adjust their odds. However, we do not need time to know that Charlotte wants to play at a fast tempo this year.
Evidence for this intensification of tempo lies in the fact that the Hornets ranked 18th in pace last year and fifth in pace this year.
More tempo means more scoring opportunities because there will be more possessions as a result of the less amount of time that each possession uses up.
One may counter that PJ Washington's absence hurts Charlotte's ability to be up-tempo.
However, Washington missed Charlotte's last game against Boston where both teams combined for 269 points partly because Charlotte's pace remained consistent with its season average.
Hornet Offense vs. Magic Defense
Charlotte's offense loves to operate in transition. Transition basketball can be effective when, in attack, an offense may use its numerical advantage or it may take advantage of defenders being out of position.
LaMelo Ball largely explains why the Hornets thrive in transition. Despite his youth, last year's Rookie of the Year has great vision.
He sees things down the court before they are visible to the human eye.
Largely thanks to Ball, the Hornets match up well against a Magic defense that allows the third-most transition points per game.
They will be able to run and execute in transition as they want to against Orlando's defense.
One might try to counter that because Orlando likes to play at a slower pace the Magic should be able to slow the game down especially since they are playing on their home court.
However, Magic fans will not slow down the Hornet transition impetus and neither will Magic players.
The lowered over/under is obviously a good thing because it implies that Orlando will help slow the game down, although the Magic defense struggles to assert itself in any respect let alone with respect to its transition game.
Magic Offense vs. Hornet Defense
Offensively, Orlando wants to attempt more three-point shots.
Whereas the Magic attempted the 22nd-most threes last year, they are attempting the ninth-most this year.
They've been doing a great job, especially, of creating wide open three-point attempts.
This is something that the Hornet defense is already very bad about allowing as Charlotte concedes the fourth-highest frequency of wide open attempts.
Especially by driving the ball inside and forcing the defense to collapse, but also in other ways, the Magic will have ample opportunity to thrive from behind the arc.
Magic three-point shooting will complement Charlotte's rapid barrage of scoring to create a high-scoring contest.
Best Bet: Over 217 at -106 with BetOnline
Sacramento Kings vs. Phoenix Suns
Wednesday, October 27, 2021 at 10 p.m. ET at Footprint Center in Phoenix
Guards and More Guards
In recent years, Sacramento has laid particular emphasis on its guard play.
Tyrese Haliburton made a surprisingly positive impact as a rookie last year.
Whereas he adds prowess in the ball-screen game, current rookie Davion Mitchell is known for his defense and already contributes 1.3 steals per game.
Of course, Haliburton and Mitchell function to take creative pressure off of De'Aaron Fox, whose speed helps make him an expert in transition.
One beneficiary of all these guards has been Harrison Barnes.
Dribble penetration initiated by King guards opens up more shooting opportunities for Barnes, who is able to accumulate assisted three-pointers.
Currently, Barnes is averaging what is by far a career-high for him, 28.3 points per game, largely because of his uptick in three-point shooting.
Of course, Buddy Hield is already the established sharpshooter on the team with his career 40.5 three-point conversion rate.
Vulnerable Sun Defense
The Sun defense just isn't what it was last year. Last season, Phoenix owned the fifth-best scoring defense.
Currently, the Suns rank 24th in allowing 116.3 points per game.
Defense is supposed to be the area in which Phoenix distinguishes itself from Sacramento. But both teams allow 116 points per game.
Specifically, the Suns are allowing the fourth-most points per game against the pick-and-roll ball-handler play type.
Haliburton and company therefore promise to be efficient in the half-court.
Moreover, the Suns allow the ninth-highest rate of open three-point attempts and the sixth-highest rate of wide open ones.
A King offense that loves to shoot the three especially with Barnes and Hield will have plenty of opportunities to do so tonight.
Phoenix's Starting Five
Like last year, it's taking time for the Sun starting five to find its groove on offense.
After three games, Phoenix's starting five has been outscored by 37 points.
Star Devin Booker, for example, hasn't gotten it going, as he's averaging 7.3 fewer points per game than he did last year.
Last season, the Suns needed a while before their starting lineup was able to gel. Now is a good time of the season, as we're just a few games into it and as Phoenix seems to be having the same problems, to go against the Sun starting five.
Plus, some depth pieces for Phoenix are banged up, most notably speedy backup guard Cameron Payne.
With Sacramento able to do what it wants offensively but not Phoenix, the Kings will have Phoenix on upset alert tonight.
Best Bet: Kings +8 at -108 with Heritage
Charlotte Hornets vs. Orlando Magic
Wednesday, October 27, 2021 at 7 p.m. ET at Amway Center in Orlando
Tempo
One significant reason why the "over" is 3-1 in Charlotte's games so far is its uptick in tempo relative to last year.
At the beginning of the season, the NBA odds are influenced more strongly by last year.
It takes time for oddsmakers to adjust their odds. However, we do not need time to know that Charlotte wants to play at a fast tempo this year.
Evidence for this intensification of tempo lies in the fact that the Hornets ranked 18th in pace last year and fifth in pace this year.
More tempo means more scoring opportunities because there will be more possessions as a result of the less amount of time that each possession uses up.
One may counter that PJ Washington's absence hurts Charlotte's ability to be up-tempo.
However, Washington missed Charlotte's last game against Boston where both teams combined for 269 points partly because Charlotte's pace remained consistent with its season average.
Hornet Offense vs. Magic Defense
Charlotte's offense loves to operate in transition. Transition basketball can be effective when, in attack, an offense may use its numerical advantage or it may take advantage of defenders being out of position.
LaMelo Ball largely explains why the Hornets thrive in transition. Despite his youth, last year's Rookie of the Year has great vision.
He sees things down the court before they are visible to the human eye.
Largely thanks to Ball, the Hornets match up well against a Magic defense that allows the third-most transition points per game.
They will be able to run and execute in transition as they want to against Orlando's defense.
One might try to counter that because Orlando likes to play at a slower pace the Magic should be able to slow the game down especially since they are playing on their home court.
However, Magic fans will not slow down the Hornet transition impetus and neither will Magic players.
The lowered over/under is obviously a good thing because it implies that Orlando will help slow the game down, although the Magic defense struggles to assert itself in any respect let alone with respect to its transition game.
Magic Offense vs. Hornet Defense
Offensively, Orlando wants to attempt more three-point shots.
Whereas the Magic attempted the 22nd-most threes last year, they are attempting the ninth-most this year.
They've been doing a great job, especially, of creating wide open three-point attempts.
This is something that the Hornet defense is already very bad about allowing as Charlotte concedes the fourth-highest frequency of wide open attempts.
Especially by driving the ball inside and forcing the defense to collapse, but also in other ways, the Magic will have ample opportunity to thrive from behind the arc.
Magic three-point shooting will complement Charlotte's rapid barrage of scoring to create a high-scoring contest.
Best Bet: Over 217 at -106 with BetOnline
Sacramento Kings vs. Phoenix Suns
Wednesday, October 27, 2021 at 10 p.m. ET at Footprint Center in Phoenix
Guards and More Guards
In recent years, Sacramento has laid particular emphasis on its guard play.
Tyrese Haliburton made a surprisingly positive impact as a rookie last year.
Whereas he adds prowess in the ball-screen game, current rookie Davion Mitchell is known for his defense and already contributes 1.3 steals per game.
Of course, Haliburton and Mitchell function to take creative pressure off of De'Aaron Fox, whose speed helps make him an expert in transition.
One beneficiary of all these guards has been Harrison Barnes.
Dribble penetration initiated by King guards opens up more shooting opportunities for Barnes, who is able to accumulate assisted three-pointers.
Currently, Barnes is averaging what is by far a career-high for him, 28.3 points per game, largely because of his uptick in three-point shooting.
Of course, Buddy Hield is already the established sharpshooter on the team with his career 40.5 three-point conversion rate.
Vulnerable Sun Defense
The Sun defense just isn't what it was last year. Last season, Phoenix owned the fifth-best scoring defense.
Currently, the Suns rank 24th in allowing 116.3 points per game.
Defense is supposed to be the area in which Phoenix distinguishes itself from Sacramento. But both teams allow 116 points per game.
Specifically, the Suns are allowing the fourth-most points per game against the pick-and-roll ball-handler play type.
Haliburton and company therefore promise to be efficient in the half-court.
Moreover, the Suns allow the ninth-highest rate of open three-point attempts and the sixth-highest rate of wide open ones.
A King offense that loves to shoot the three especially with Barnes and Hield will have plenty of opportunities to do so tonight.
Phoenix's Starting Five
Like last year, it's taking time for the Sun starting five to find its groove on offense.
After three games, Phoenix's starting five has been outscored by 37 points.
Star Devin Booker, for example, hasn't gotten it going, as he's averaging 7.3 fewer points per game than he did last year.
Last season, the Suns needed a while before their starting lineup was able to gel. Now is a good time of the season, as we're just a few games into it and as Phoenix seems to be having the same problems, to go against the Sun starting five.
Plus, some depth pieces for Phoenix are banged up, most notably speedy backup guard Cameron Payne.
With Sacramento able to do what it wants offensively but not Phoenix, the Kings will have Phoenix on upset alert tonight.
Best Bet: Kings +8 at -108 with Heritage
