NBA Opening Night Prediction and Betting Odds

After four long months without it, the NBA is finally back!

Opening night is scheduled for Wednesday, October 21, with three games on the bill at different times.

We've got the Detroit Pistons hosting the Boston Celtics from 06:00 AEDT, followed by the defending NBA Finals champions, the New York Knicks, who host the Philadelphia 76ers (10:00 AEDT). 

We then wrap it up with the beaten finalists, the San Antonio Spurs vs the Oklahoma City Thunder (12:30 AEDT) in three blockbuster games.

Quick Picks

Our pick: Knicks to win

Value bet: OKC to win

Long shot: Celtics to win

Betting Preview

The Pistons have had wins and losses throughout preseason, while Boston have been steady. Both will want to improve on last season, despite finishing number 1 and 2 in the Eastern Conference, respectively.

The Pistons were eliminated by the Cleveland Cavaliers in a seven-game Conference Semifinal, while the Celtics lost 4-3 in the first round to the 76ers despite being a game away from advancing at 3-1.

The Knicks made history by winning their first title since 1973 (third overall), beating the Spurs 4-1. Jalen Brunson took home Finals MVP honours, and his scoring in the title-clinching road win drew him level with a Finals record held by Michael Jordan.

They finished third in the Eastern Conference, meaning we have the top three from the East all in action. The 76ers finished seventh before reaching the Conference Semifinals.

In the West, we have the two top teams from last season, with last season's runners-up in the Spurs and OKC, who won the NBA Finals the year before and looked good value to retain their title until the Spurs beat them in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals.

For many, this is a game that will see two of the best players in the NBA take centre stage, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander going up against Victor Wembanyama.

Betting Markets to Watch

In the early moneyline odds, the Pistons, the Knicks, and the Spurs have all been made the favourites. Whether that's because they are all the host teams and it's the start of a new season, it's not quite known. Still, this leaves some value to be found.

There's better value worth exploring in a Boston win, as the Pistons have lost five of their last six season openers, including last year (road game against Chicago).

Boston lost their first three games of the season, but they didn't have Jayson Tatum available; now they do.

In Knicks-76ers, New York has won each of their last six games against the 76ers, including last season's 4-0 playoff sweep.

In the Spurs-OKC game, the visitors have good value as perceived underdogs. Spurs have lost their last three home games, all of them in the NBA Finals.

The total points market is also worth a look, with the line set at 232.5 for this one.

Our Prediction

Check the latest NBA betting odds at Sportsbet.

Our prediction is for the Knicks to win, with value in an OKC victory. The long shot is a Celtics win, since you never know what you're going to get from these two sides at the start of an NBA season.

Odds are subject to change.