NBA Week 8 Preview and Free Picks

We’ve reached week 8 of the NBA 2024/25 season, and the league is buzzing with excitement following the conclusion of NBA Cup 2024.

The thrilling finale saw the Milwaukee Bucks emerge victorious over the OKC Thunder, showcasing the high intensity and competitive spirit that defines the NBA. With the NBA Cup over, the focus now turns back to regular season games, promising basketball fans worldwide a roller coaster ride of action-packed games from start to finish.

At this juncture of the season, the Cleveland Cavaliers and OKC Thunder find themselves at the top of their respective conferences, setting the stage for a potential showdown between two powerhouse teams. The Cavaliers have been a dominant force in the East, led by their superstar lineup and solid team chemistry. On the other hand, the Thunder have shown resilience and determination in the West, proving to be formidable contenders.

Below, we bring you a preview of the best games of Week 8 of the 2024/25 NBA season, with their respective betting odds and our free predictions.

NBA Week 8: Magic vs. Thunder

The Orlando Magic’s struggle to find consistency continues as they navigate a challenging stretch, having lost three of their last four games. With a current record of 17-11, the Magic face difficulty in hitting their stride during a crucial seven-game home stay that extends into the upcoming new year.

The pain of their recent loss to the Bucks in the NBA Cup 2024 Quarterfinals lingers, prompting the players and coaching staff to deeply reflect over the past few days, looking for solutions to turn the tide and regain their winning ways.

In contrast, the Oklahoma City Thunder arrive in Orlando with confidence and determination after their commendable performance in the NBA Cup Finals. Despite a heartbreaking loss to the Bucks in the last game, the same team that quashed Orlando’s Cup dreams, the Thunder stand tall with an impressive 20-5 record, firmly positioned at the top of the competitive Western Conference.

Eager to maintain their winning momentum, the Thunder are ready to take on the Magic with a steely determination and hunger for redemption, aiming to further solidify their position as one of the league’s most powerful teams.

For this game, our prediction is a win for the Thunder.

Magic vs. Thunder Betting Pick: Thunder

NBA Week 8: Celtics vs. Bulls

Zach LaVine, Josh Giddey, Kristaps Porzingis, and Al Horford are among the key players who could affect the performance of their respective teams. The defending champions, the Boston Celtics, have been on a hot streak, winning eight of their last ten games, with their most recent victory being a 112-98 win over the Washington Wizards. This string of wins has kept them in contention for first place in the Eastern Conference.

In contrast, the Chicago Bulls face challenges in maintaining their position in the standings. Despite securing two straight wins, including a narrow 122-121 victory over the Toronto Raptors, they are struggling to stay competitive.

The Celtics are seen as the favorites in the upcoming matchup for several reasons, and their home-court advantage plays a major role. They have an impressive record at TD Garden, having lost just two of their last 20 games played in front of their home crowd.

Facing one of the weakest defenses in the league, the Celtics not only compete for the top spot but also demonstrate a complete and formidable style of play. The lack of consistency and depth on the Bulls’ side will likely work against them during the game, especially considering Boston’s recent success in head-to-head matchups, having come out victorious in the last five meetings against the Bulls.

For this game, our prediction is a win for the Celtics.

Celtics vs. Bulls Betting Pick: Celtics

NBA Week 8: Mavericks vs. Clippers

The Dallas Mavericks have been on an impressive winning streak, securing wins in eight of their last ten games and sitting in 4th place in the Western standings.

Despite a recent loss in the NBA Cup quarterfinals to the Oklahoma City Thunder, Dallas has shown remarkable consistency and resiliency. Led by the dynamic duo of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, their offense has been spectacular.

In contrast, the Clippers have had a more inconsistent streak, ranking sixth in the Western Conference with a 14-11 record. The team is coming off two consecutive losses, including a loss to the Houston Rockets, underscoring their struggles to maintain momentum and find stability.

The Mavericks enter this matchup riding the momentum of a historic performance in terms of three-pointers made in a recent game against the Warriors, highlighting their impressive scoring form. This success can be attributed to exceptional performances from Doncic, Irving, and Thompson, whose effectiveness will play a crucial role in dictating the outcome of the game early on, capitalizing on the inconsistencies that have plagued the Clippers, especially in the wake of injury-related issues.

The Clippers still face challenges maintaining consistency, particularly in the absence of James Harden, and lack depth compared to the Mavericks.

That said, our prediction is a win for the Mavericks.

Mavericks vs. Clippers Betting Pick: Mavericks

NBA Week 8: Grizzlies vs. Warriors

The Grizzlies come on a 4-game winning streak, with an impressive record of 18 wins and 8 losses. Wins over the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Lakers in their recent clashes have highlighted their dominant form, even in the absence of LeBron James in the Lakers lineup. The Grizzlies’ aggressive, fast-paced style of play has been critical to their success, and they aim to capitalize on this strategy against the Warriors.

Memphis has been virtually unstoppable, winning nine of their last ten games. Their offensive prowess is evident, averaging 122.15 points per game.On the defensive end, they have been rock solid, slightly better than the Golden State Warriors.

On the other hand, the Warriors have had an up-and-down season, currently sitting in fifth place in the Western Conference standings. They have faced setbacks, losing seven of their last ten games, including a recent loss in the NBA Cup quarterfinals. However, the acquisition of Dennis Schroder could inject some much-needed energy into their lineup.

Despite their problems with consistency evident in their recent performances, the Warriors still possess a potent offense, averaging 113.92 points per game.

For this game, our prediction is a win for the Memphis Grizzlies.

Grizzlies vs. Warriors Betting Pick: Grizzlies