NBA Slate Analysis — Thursday, October 29, 2026
Thursday, October 29, 2026 · NBA
These games have been played. Picks and prices, where shown, are AiQ's from before each game started. See how they finished in the NBA recaps.
The NBA slate for Thursday, October 29, 2026 has 3 games, the first at 7:00 PM CT. AiQ has a moneyline pick on all 3. None of AiQ's picks on this slate has a price on record above fair value. Each price is the one AiQ valued the pick at when it last priced the game.
Every game
Cleveland Cavaliers at Atlanta Hawks
7:00 PM CT at State Farm Arena.
Two teams heading in opposite directions meet here. The Cleveland Cavaliers have won 3 of their 4 games this season, winning the last three. The Atlanta Hawks have won 2 of their 5 games this season, losing the last three. When these teams last met, on April 10, 2026, the Atlanta Hawks won 124-102 at home.
- Moneyline: AiQ gives Cleveland Cavaliers a 59% confidence rating to beat Atlanta Hawks, its own model's number rather than a market price. Calibrated against the market and graded results, that is a 50.1% chance; the betting market, with the margin removed, has 49.5%. The price on record, -108, is priced below the fair price of -100 (−3.6% value).
- Total: AiQ gives the under 237.5 points a 62% confidence rating, its own model's number rather than a market price. No book price at this line is confirmed on the record, so no value figure is given.
- Spread: AiQ gives Atlanta Hawks -1.5 a 58% confidence rating to cover, its own model's number rather than a market price. No book price at this line is confirmed on the record, so no value figure is given.
Trends in play.
Recent results against the spread back the Atlanta Hawks. The Cleveland Cavaliers failed to cover the spread in 8 of their last 10 games.
Recent totals lean over. The Atlanta Hawks went over the total in 7 of their last 10 games.
Sacramento Kings at New Orleans Pelicans
7:00 PM CT at Smoothie King Center.
The New Orleans Pelicans have lost six straight, a run that goes back to last season, and all four of their games this season. The Sacramento Kings have lost five straight, a run that goes back to last season, and all four of their games this season. When these teams last met, on April 3, 2026, the Sacramento Kings won 117-113 at home.
- Moneyline: AiQ gives New Orleans Pelicans a 62% confidence rating to beat Sacramento Kings, its own model's number rather than a market price. Calibrated against the market and graded results, that is a 68.3% chance; the betting market, with the margin removed, has 68.7%. The best price, -235 at Caesars, is priced below the fair price of -215 (−2.7% value).
- Total: AiQ gives the under 235.5 points a 57% confidence rating, its own model's number rather than a market price. Calibrated against the market and graded results, that is a 50.8% chance; the betting market, with the margin removed, has 50.2%. The best price, -110 at FanDuel, is priced below the fair price of -103 (−2.9% value).
- Spread: AiQ gives New Orleans Pelicans -6.5 a 60% confidence rating to cover, its own model's number rather than a market price. Calibrated against the market and graded results, that is a 46.6% chance; the betting market, with the margin removed, has 48.8%. The price on record, -105, is priced below the fair price of +115 (−9.0% value).
Memphis Grizzlies at Portland Trail Blazers
9:00 PM CT at Moda Center.
The Memphis Grizzlies have won all four of their games this season. The Portland Trail Blazers have won all three of their games this season. When these teams last met, on March 4, 2026, the Portland Trail Blazers won 122-114 on the road.
- Moneyline: AiQ gives Portland Trail Blazers a 62% confidence rating to beat Memphis Grizzlies, its own model's number rather than a market price. Calibrated against the market and graded results, that is a 72.1% chance; the betting market, with the margin removed, has 72.7%. The best price, -285 at Caesars, is priced below the fair price of -259 (−2.6% value).
- Total: AiQ gives the under 232.5 points a 57% confidence rating, its own model's number rather than a market price. Calibrated against the market and graded results, that is a 49.7% chance; the betting market, with the margin removed, has 49.0%. The best price, -105 at DraftKings, is priced below the fair price of +101 (−3.0% value).
- Spread: AiQ gives Portland Trail Blazers -7.5 a 59% confidence rating to cover, its own model's number rather than a market price. Calibrated against the market and graded results, that is a 48.5% chance; the betting market, with the margin removed, has 50.2%. The best price, -110 at Caesars, is priced below the fair price of +106 (−7.4% value).
Trends in play.
Against the spread, the records lean toward the Memphis Grizzlies. The Memphis Grizzlies covered the spread in 4 straight games. The Memphis Grizzlies covered the spread in 3 of the last 4 meetings with the Portland Trail Blazers.
Recent totals lean over. Of the last 4 meetings between the Portland Trail Blazers and the Memphis Grizzlies, 3 went over the total.
These come from the closing lines of this season and last. They are context, not the reason for AiQ's picks, and the books price them in.