October 31, 2026 | Ethical Sports Takes | NBA Picks Review
Ethical Sports Takes closes October in impressive fashion, finishing Halloween’s seven-game NBA slate with a 6–1 prediction record.
Following Friday’s 7–3 performance, EST has now recorded 13 correct predictions across its last 17 selections.
Our overall season record improves to 54–32–2, raising our winning percentage to 62.8%, excluding pushes.
Six teams delivered exactly what we expected. Unfortunately, Atlanta prevented a perfect evening with a disappointing defeat against New Orleans.
Let’s review all seven selections.
1. Portland Trail Blazers vs. Utah Jazz
EST Pick: Portland Trail Blazers — CORRECT
Final Score: Portland 112, Utah 90
Portland took care of business against Utah, delivering a comfortable 22-point victory.
We backed the Trail Blazers to capitalize on the Jazz’s injury concerns, and Portland rewarded that confidence with a convincing road performance.
A strong opening result for EST.
2. Philadelphia 76ers vs. Charlotte Hornets
EST Pick: Philadelphia 76ers — CORRECT
Final Score: Philadelphia 109, Charlotte 104
Philadelphia continues finding ways to win.
Tyrese Maxey delivered another outstanding performance, finishing with 38 points, including 15 in the fourth quarter.
VJ Edgecombe also contributed an important late step-back three-pointer as the 76ers held off Charlotte.
We trusted Philadelphia’s consistency, and the team improved to 6–1.
3. Atlanta Hawks vs. New Orleans Pelicans
EST Pick: Atlanta Hawks — INCORRECT
Final Score: New Orleans 121, Atlanta 99
Well, Atlanta certainly knows how to ruin a good evening.
After defeating Cleveland on Thursday, the Hawks followed that performance with a 22-point defeat against New Orleans.
We acknowledged before the game that this wasn’t one of our most confident selections, and unfortunately, those concerns proved justified.
Atlanta’s inconsistency remains a problem. A team capable of defeating Cleveland should be able to put together a considerably better performance against New Orleans.
This was our only incorrect selection of the evening, preventing what could have been a perfect 7–0 slate.
4. Minnesota Timberwolves vs. San Antonio Spurs
EST Pick: San Antonio Spurs — CORRECT
Final Score: San Antonio 121, Minnesota 111
Victor Wembanyama made sure this prediction was never going to be forgotten.
The Spurs superstar exploded for 43 points, adding seven rebounds and four assists.
De’Aaron Fox contributed 22 points, while Dylan Harper added 25.
Minnesota competed without Anthony Edwards, but San Antonio ultimately proved too strong.
We highlighted the Spurs’ size, defensive presence and home-court advantage before the game, and San Antonio delivered another important victory.
5. Sacramento Kings vs. Memphis Grizzlies
EST Pick: Memphis Grizzlies — CORRECT
Final Score: Memphis 136, Sacramento 105
Memphis delivered one of the most convincing victories of Halloween night.
The Grizzlies dismantled Sacramento by 31 points, continuing their impressive early-season form.
We expected Memphis to control this matchup against a struggling Kings squad, and the result was even more emphatic than anticipated.
An excellent result for EST.
6. Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Milwaukee Bucks
EST Pick: Cleveland Cavaliers — CORRECT
Final Score: Cleveland 136, Milwaukee 111
Cleveland responded to its narrow defeat against Atlanta with an impressive 25-point road victory over Milwaukee.
We expected the Cavaliers to approach this contest with urgency, and they delivered a convincing offensive performance.
Milwaukee continues struggling to establish consistency, while Cleveland demonstrated why we trusted its stronger overall play.
Another correct selection.
7. Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Houston Rockets
EST Pick: Houston Rockets — CORRECT
Final Score: Houston 119, Oklahoma City 98
Our featured Halloween matchup ended with Houston delivering a convincing bounce-back victory.
Jabari Smith Jr. led the Rockets with 30 points, while Marcus Smart contributed 24 points and seven made three-pointers.
Houston connected on 18 three-pointers overall, overwhelming an Oklahoma City squad missing several key contributors, including Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams.
We backed the Rockets to respond following Friday’s defeat against Dallas, and they did exactly that.
Houston improves to 6–1, completing another successful EST prediction.
Updated EST NBA Prediction Record
October 31 Record: 6–1
Previous Season Record: 48–31–2
Updated Season Record: 54–32–2
Season Winning Percentage: 62.8% (excluding pushes)
Last Two Slates Combined: 13–4
Final Thoughts — A Strong Finish to October
October ends on an excellent note for Ethical Sports Takes.
A 6–1 Halloween performance follows Friday’s 7–3 showing, giving EST consecutive winning slates and considerable momentum heading into November.
Our Houston selection proved particularly satisfying, with the Rockets delivering a convincing response to their first defeat of the season.
Philadelphia continued its strong start, Wembanyama produced a spectacular 43-point performance, and Memphis and Cleveland delivered dominant victories.
Atlanta remains the lone disappointment, but one incorrect prediction doesn’t overshadow an otherwise excellent evening.
We finish October with a 54–32–2 season record and a 62.8% winning percentage.
November presents another opportunity to build on that success.
For daily NBA predictions, recaps and analysis, visit EthicalSportsTakes.com.
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