NBA Opening Night | Preview & Predictions

This upcoming NBA season will bring an extra level of excitement. On just day one, there’s three ultimate matchups that are must see TV. 

Pistons vs. Celtics @ 3pm EST

This matchup features the top two seeds from the Eastern Conference last season. Detroit was first, and Boston was second. 

Both of these teams look a bit different this year, but they still have their franchise cornerstones in Cade Cunningham and Jayson Tatum. 

Boston traded Jaylen Brown in the offseason for Paul George, which shook up the league. They also added NBA champion Mitchell Robinson, which bolsters their front court that struggled last season.

Detroit didn’t make many major moves in the offseason to drastically improve the team, but they still will likely be a playoff team. The issue is, the rest of the East got better, so they have to keep their foot on the gas. 

Boston will likely win this game because they are simply too much for Detroit. Cade Cunningham will have to carry the Pistons if they stand a chance, per usual. 

76ers vs. Knicks @ 7pm EST

In a playoff rematch of last season, this Philadelphia team looks completely different. 

With the addition of LeBron James and Jaylen Brown along with other crucial role pieces, they are an instant contender.

New York is obviously coming off of a championship, so the rest of the league has to get through them. 

Their chemistry is tight knit, and that’s going to be hard to overcome. There are a lot of new look teams in the association, but the Knicks have the advantage by establishing that championship caliber. 

With that being said, New York will likely win this game. It’s their ring night, and Philly still has to work out the chemistry of their squad.

Thunder vs. Spurs @ 9:30pm EST

In a Western Conference Finals rematch, OKC will look to seek revenge against San Antonio. 

The Spurs defeated the Thunder in an intense seven game series, and Victor Wembanyama made himself known

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is still arguably the best player in the game though, and he alone is enough to make OKC a championship contender once again.

The Spurs will likely win this game, because they are hungry after such a catastrophic loss in the Finals. Being at home will help as well, as they have one of the loudest buildings in the association.