Hardwood Heroes — Expert Picks in the NBA Today (10/21)
Written by: Varun Sharma
Published: Wed Oct 21, 2026, 3:53 pm ET
Read Time: 5 minutes
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FAT 11 Game NBA Slate 🏀
3 players to watch tonight from @vsaaauce 🔥💰 pic.twitter.com/zkc65tubvK
— Betting News (@YourBettingNews) October 21, 2026
The NBA is back in full force and tonight we get out first taste of a full NBA slate. We've got 11 games on the docket, 22 teams set to play and just 1,227 games left to play in the regular season.
Lock in with me and let's get right into it.
For additional information on picks, props, moneylines, and more on today's slate, take a look at our NBA Picks Page or our NBA Odds Page.
Best Bets for October 21st
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Ryan Rollins o26.5 PRA (-120) | Lucky Rebel
Ryan Rollins is finally a full time starter in the NBA and I'm incredibly excited for what this kid can do. Rollins is just 24 years old, he was drafted by the Warriors in 2022 and traded to the Wizards after the end of his rookie year.
Rollins played less than 170 minutes during his first three years in the league and then last year he finally got a chance in Milwaukee. He started 19 games for the Bucks in 2024/25, averaging 10.2 points per game in those games but it was his efficiency that stood out.
Rollins shot 48% from the field as a starter that year, 45% from beyond the arc and 86% from the stripe. Last year Rollins started 67 games for Milwaukee, he was the team's third leading scorer and both guys ahead of him no longer play in Milwaukee.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is in Miami and Kevin Porter Jr. was waived by the team. New addition, Tyler Herro, will definitely see the lion's share of usage, but I predict Rollins won't be far behind.
Last year, in games with Giannis; Rollins averaged 20.2 points, 5.9 assists and 4.6 rebounds per game. He shot 49% from the field in those 34 games and 42% from beyond the arc.
Washington was 29th in points allowed last year, 30th in rebounds allowed and 29th in assists allowed. Against SGs, 26th in points allowed and 29th in assists allowed.
Lastly, Rollins played for the Wizards and he was waived by the Wizards. That's just not something you forget.
Davion Mitchell o14.5 PA (-117) | Lucky Rebel
If you're going to play basketball with both Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo on your team, you're going to get your share of open shots and assists opportunities.
The Miami Heat averaged 124.7 points per game in the preseason (3rd), they shot 40.8 3s per game (7th) and averaged nearly 108 possessions per game (1st).
The Heat are going to play fast, furious and they're going to get out on the fastbreak. We saw the first iteration of this offense last year and with the addition of Giannis, plus the subtraction of Tyler Herro (& co.); it's clear the Heat plan to double down on this new offense.
Miami was 1st in pace last year. They averaged 104 possessions per game and now they've added the best fastbreak player in the NBA. All that to say, I'm betting on Davion Mitchell.
Mitchell lead the team in assists during the preseason, averaging 3.8 per game in less than 19 minutes per game. Mitchell started all 70 games he played in last year, averaged 28.6 minutes per game and was a big piece of this Heat offense.
He averaged 9.3 points, 6.5 assists and 2.7 rebounds per game in his first year as a starter and shot 40% from outside.
Mitchell's now playing alongside two of the best bigs in the NBA and he will be rewarded. He's going to see a ton of open shots and even more assist opportunities in this offense.
Jaren Jackson Jr. o1.5 3s (-120) | Lucky Rebel
Jaren Jackson Jr. is back in Memphis and set to face off with his former team for the first time since the trade. Jackson was traded at last year's deadline, but due to injury he managed just 3 games with his new team (Utah).
Jackson played just 3 games with Utah but in those 3 games, he great. He scored 22+ points in all 3 games. He shot 48% from the field and hit 2+ 3s in two of the three games. Jackson took an average of 5 3-point attempts per game in those 3 games and now he plays his former team.
The Grizzlies ranked 22nd in 3s allowed last year, 27th in 3s allowed to PFs and 21st in opponent 3-point percentage. Memphis gave up the 8th most 'wide open' 3-point attempts in the league last year and if you leave Jackson open, he's going to shoot.
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You may know me as ‘VSaaauce’. I’ve been a die hard hoops fan my entire life. I’ve been betting on the NBA/NCAAB/NFL/MLB for six years now, each year gaining more and more knowledge about being a profitable handicapper. I’m eager to learn, and eager to pass on everything I’ve gained over the last few years. I started my Twitter page four years ago, and this community makes me so thankful I did. Outside of sports and handicapping, I enjoy traveling, hoopin, a strong espresso and I’m currently studying to obtain my MD. I’m all about the vibes, good vibes only. If that sounds like you, follow me on 'X' @VSaaauce.
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