NBA Opening Night Predictions, Odds & Picks: Knicks Edge LeBron & Co. on Banner Night

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The NBA has announced its Opening Night schedule, and it did not disappoint. 

LeBron James makes his Philadelphia 76ers debut on ring night at Madison Square Garden, while several other marquee matchups round out a loaded three-game slate in my early NBA picks for Tuesday, Oct. 20.

NBA Opening Night predictions

The Celtics begin a new era led by Jayson Tatum. Meanwhile, Jaylen Brown and LeBron James make their 76ers debuts, the Knicks raise their championship banner, and the nightcap features the two teams with the shortest NBA Finals odds. 

How’s that for an opening night?

Celtics vs Pistons (3 p.m. ET, NBC)

Celtics vs Pistons opening odds

Celtics vs Pistons early pick: Celtics +2.5

em-115 at DraftKings/em

I’ll gladly take the Boston Celtics as an underdog against the Detroit Pistons. The Jaylen Brown-for-Paul George trade raised eyebrows, but this matchup shows its value.

George gives Boston another versatile perimeter defender who can switch onto Cade Cunningham and hold his own, even if Detroit uses actions to get Derrick White off Cunningham. 

76ers vs Knicks (7 p.m. ET, NBC)

76ers vs Knicks opening odds

76ers vs Knicks early pick: Knicks -4.5

em-110 at DraftKings/em

The Philadelphia 76ers are stacked and rightfully among the favorites to win it all, but I’m not backing them on opening night. 

Too many high-usage players need to mesh, while the New York Knicks bring continuity and familiarity — which is exactly what helped them win the title.

Thunder vs Spurs (9:30 p.m. ET, NBC)

Thunder vs Spurs opening odds

Thunder vs Spurs early pick: Spurs -1.5

em-110 at DraftKings/em

The San Antonio Spurs are a brutal matchup for the Oklahoma City Thunder, and nothing this offseason changed my mind. 

If anything, San Antonio widened the gap by adding Tobias Harris for depth, while Oklahoma City had to sacrifice key role players like Isaiah Joe, Lu Dort, and Aaron Wiggins to create cap space.

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
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