The NBA season tips off on Tuesday, October 20, as we’ll see the Celtics face the Pistons, the defending champion Knicks host the 76ers, and the Thunder clash with the rival Spurs. In this story, I’ll run through my thoughts for all three games. I also dished out three of my favorite player props for this slate in a separate article, so make sure you check those out! Also, make sure you watch our live VSiN programming for more. Our hosts and analysts should be all over the NBA, which is why it pays to be a VSiN Pro subscriber.
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Tuesday NBA Matchups
Boston Celtics at Detroit Pistons – 3:00 pm ET
I lean Boston in this game, but the bet I ultimately made was a parlay with the Celtics getting 7.5 and the Thunder getting 10.5. If you read my season preview content — in the VSiN NBA Betting Guide — then you probably know that I believe Boston is the best team in the Eastern Conference. I’m also pretty down on Detroit. That said, I’m naturally expecting the road team to win here. However, I was a little scared off by the fact that this is a season opener for a Pistons team with a good home crowd. Maybe that’ll allow Detroit to get across the finish line. Still, I see the Celtics having their chances to win this game. They have two strong defensive options for Cade Cunningham, as they can throw either Jayson Tatum or Paul George on him. They also have an answer for Jalen Duren’s toughness down low, as Mitchell Robinson makes his debut in green here. Well, if the Pistons don’t have a clear edge in physicality in this game — and the Celtics have a decent shot at making life difficult on Cunningham — then Detroit’s lack of shot-making could end up dooming the team in this one.
PARLAY: Celtics Alt +7.5 vs. Pistons & Thunder Alt +10.5 vs. Spurs (-132 – 1.5 units)
Philadelphia 76ers at New York Knicks – 7:00 pm ET
The 76ers starting five should rival the Knicks starting five as one of the best units in basketball. However, this will be Philadelphia’s first real game as a unit, and that makes it hard to imagine the team rolling into Madison Square Garden and delivering. The Knicks have the advantage of continuity right now, and that’s something I value against the Sixers. Later in the season, perhaps Philly’s starting unit has the upper hand. The Sixers also aren’t equipped to take advantage of a lack of Robinson off the New York bench. Ariel Hukporti suffered a season-ending torn Achilles in preseason, and Adem Bona is dealing with a foot sprain. So, there’s actually a real chance Andre Drummond ends up dominating the paint in the battle between second units. That means that Philadelphia isn’t in a place to take advantage of one of New York’s only question marks. Also, under Mike Brown, the Knicks are 13-7 against the spread as home favorites of 6 or fewer. I’m laying off this right now, but I’ll be on New York if this ducks below -4 by tip-off.
LEAN: Knicks -4.5 (-110)
Oklahoma City Thunder at San Antonio Spurs – 9:30 pm ET
Thunder at Spurs – 9:30 pm ET
I’m leaning Thunder in this one, but I took some extra cushion as part of the parlay I mentioned in the Celtics write-up. It just doesn’t seem like people are remembering the facts from last year’s postseason. While San Antonio ended up making the NBA Finals, the team needed seven games to get by a wounded Oklahoma City squad. If Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell were healthy in that series, there’s a good chance we’re talking about the Thunder as defending champions and have a completely different view of the league heading into the new season. I still have Oklahoma City as a slightly better defensive team, and I believe Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s late-game shot-making gives the Thunder an edge over this Spurs team. I’d also be shocked if Oklahoma City isn’t the more motivated team in this one. Naturally, many will point to the Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren matchup as a reason to back San Antonio, and that is undoubtedly one that tilts the scales in the Spurs favor. But give me Oklahoma City pretty much everywhere else — at least until Dylan Harper make the leap.
PARLAY: Celtics Alt +7.5 vs. Pistons & Thunder Alt +10.5 vs. Spurs (-132 – 1.5 units)
UPDATE: With the first leg of this losing in outrageous fashion, I ended up adding OKC ML (-118) to my card.
