NBA Opening Night Prediction, Pick: Moneyline Bet 10-22 (Video)

Based on the early NBA odds at the online sportsbook, my first bet of the 2024-25 season involves an opening-night matchup between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Los Angeles Lakers. This matchup is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 22. It pits the previous two Western Conference runner-ups against each other. The Lakers made a surprising run to the conference finals in 2023 before returning to a Play-In Tournament team last year. Minnesota might have more staying power after last year's postseason run ended with a loss to the Dallas Mavericks in the WCF. The Timberwolves led the league in defensive rating a season ago and will continue to be stellar on defense. The Timberwolves won three of their four head-to-head meetings with the Lakers last year. Check out the video for my favorite NBA opening-night prediction: