Opening night in the NBA usually brings a banner and a storyline or two. Tuesday’s slate brings a lot more than that, starting with a championship celebration at Madison Square Garden and ending with a rematch of last season’s best playoff series.

The Celtics and Pistons get things started with a 3 p.m. ET matinee in Detroit, but the night really belongs to New York. The Knicks will raise their first championship banner since 1973 before tipping off against the 76ers, and the opponent couldn’t be more fitting. LeBron James makes his Philadelphia debut on ring night, and he won’t be the only new face, as Jaylen Brown also suits up for the Sixers after Boston sent him to Philly in a deal for Paul George.

On paper, this is a much scarier 76ers team than the one the Knicks swept out of the second round last spring. Pairing James and Brown with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey gives Philadelphia as much top-end talent as anyone in the East. That said, talent and chemistry are two different things in October, and Jalen Brunson and the Knicks are bringing back a group that just ran through the postseason together. Oddsmakers lean that way, too, with New York a 4.5-point favorite at DraftKings.

The nightcap might be even better. The Thunder head to San Antonio for a Western Conference finals rematch, and Oklahoma City has had all summer to stew over how that series ended. The Spurs won Game 7 on the Thunder’s home floor to end their repeat bid before falling to the Knicks in the Finals. Victor Wembanyama against Chet Holmgren is the marquee matchup inside, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander gets his first crack at revenge against a young San Antonio backcourt led by Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper.

The Spurs owned this matchup in the regular season as well, and that’s a big reason the defending West champs are 2.5-point home favorites, with the Thunder sitting as underdogs on night one.

We break down our best bets for Knicks vs. 76ers, Thunder vs. Spurs, and Celtics vs. Pistons, with odds, analysis, and the plays we like to kick off the 2026-27 season. Basketball season is the perfect time to get into betting, as bet365 offers new users a special promo: Bet $10, get $200 win or lose!

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Celtics vs. Pistons odds

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Celtics vs. Pistons best bet

I’m backing Detroit to cover against Boston in its season opener. The Pistons finished last season with 60 wins and the best record in the Eastern Conference, and I expect that momentum to carry into this year. Detroit also won three of four meetings against Boston last season, holding the Celtics to 109.5 points per game and 43.1% shooting. Cade Cunningham remains the catalyst for Detroit’s offense, and his ability to attack the paint should create problems for Boston. The Pistons also have home-court advantage, where they won both meetings against the Celtics last season. Boston has the talent to win this game, but Detroit has already proven it can match up with the Celtics. I’ll take the points in what should be a competitive opener.

Knicks vs. 76ers odds

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Knicks vs. 76ers best bet

I’m backing the Knicks to cover on opening night. New York returns the core of a championship team, with Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, and Mikal Bridges providing continuity on both ends of the floor. Philadelphia arguably has more star power after adding LeBron James and Jaylen Brown alongside Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid, but having that much talent doesn’t guarantee immediate chemistry. There will be an adjustment period as the 76ers figure out how to distribute touches and establish their offensive identity. New York doesn’t have that problem. The Knicks also have the advantage of playing at Madison Square Garden on Championship Ring Night. I trust New York’s chemistry and defensive versatility enough to lay the 4.5 points.

Spurs vs. Thunder odds

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Spurs vs. Thunder best bet

I’m taking the under in what should be a physical, defensive battle between two of the NBA’s best teams. San Antonio won six of its 10 meetings against Oklahoma City last season, including a seven-game Western Conference Finals series. More importantly, seven of those 10 meetings finished under 231.5 points, including four of seven playoff games. Victor Wembanyama’s rim protection makes scoring in the paint difficult, while Oklahoma City’s perimeter defense and ability to force turnovers should create problems for San Antonio. These teams know each other extremely well, and their recent history suggests another defensive battle. With two elite defenses on the floor, I expect a competitive game where half-court execution matters more than pace.

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Best NBA player props for Tuesday

I’m taking Duren over his points total against Boston. The Pistons center averaged 19.5 points in 28.2 minutes per game last season, giving us a four-point cushion. His ability to finish around the rim and generate second-chance opportunities makes him a difficult matchup, particularly when Cade Cunningham is consistently creating opportunities out of the pick-and-roll. Duren doesn’t need a massive offensive workload to clear this line, either. He can get there through efficient looks in the paint and trips to the free-throw line. If Detroit continues feeding him inside, 16 points is a reasonable expectation.

Philadelphia’s offseason additions make this a difficult defensive matchup for Brunson, and I’m leaning toward the under. Brunson averaged 26 points last season, already below this number, and the 76ers have enough defensive versatility to throw different looks at him throughout the game. With OG Anunoby, Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges surrounding him, New York also has several reliable scoring options. I expect Brunson to spend more time creating opportunities for teammates rather than forcing contested shots. He certainly has the ability to score 30, but I don’t think he’ll need that type of performance for New York to win its opener.

Castle averaged 7.4 assists per game last season, and I like him to clear this number against Oklahoma City. The Thunder’s aggressive perimeter defense can force turnovers, but it also creates opportunities for guards who can attack pressure and find open teammates. Castle has developed into one of San Antonio’s primary playmakers, with Victor Wembanyama providing an excellent target around the basket. The Spurs will need to move the ball effectively against Oklahoma City’s defense, and I expect Castle to play an important role in generating quality looks. He averaged nearly two assists more than this line last season, making the over attractive.