NBA Opening Night Features Key Matchups and Expert Picks

The 2026-27 NBA season commenced with three games on Tuesday, including matchups between the Celtics and Pistons at 3 p.m. ET, the 76ers facing the Knicks at 7 p.m. ET, and the Thunder playing against the Spurs at 9:30 p.m. ET.

Experts from SportsLine are predicting a victory for the Spurs, who are favored at -135 against the Thunder. The SportsLine Projection Model also supports the Knicks to cover a 4.5-point spread against the 76ers, with LeBron James' scoring set at an over/under of 15.5 points for his debut with the team.

Madison Square Garden will host a celebration for the Knicks as they receive their championship rings, marking their first title since 1973. The team has retained most of its playoff roster, while the Spurs return their top nine scorers from last season, bolstered by the addition of Tobias Harris. The model forecasts the Knicks to cover in 57% of simulations.