Pickswise Nation, the NBA is BACK! The 2025-26 NBA season tips off tonight with 2 red-hot matchups to get excited for. Last season’s NBA champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder, start the defense of their crown by hosting the Houston Rockets, who in the offseason acquired ex-Thunder star Kevin Durant. That matchup is followed by Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors taking on Luka Doncic and the LA Lakers. You can find out our NBA picks for both of tonight’s matchups along with EVERY GAME this season, but for now, let’s dive into today’s NBA best bets.
Rockets vs Thunder best bet: Rockets +7 (-110)
Odds available at bet365 at time of publishing.
The Houston Rockets made a huge “win now” move in the offseason with the acquisition of Kevin Durant. And so far through preseason, there is every indication that this team is ready to hit the ground running. While their first task is not an easy one on paper, visiting the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder, the hosts could be without several key pieces. Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren played instrumental roles in their title run, but have yet to suit up in the preseason. It makes them a major doubt for the opener, and could leave Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with a huge offensive burden to carry. With the Rockets able to deploy Amen Thompson against him, the Thunder offense could stutter.
The Rockets finished last season 12th in offensive rating. Expect a huge jump from them in this category this time around as they replaced Jalen Green with Durant, who is far more efficient from every part of the floor. The veteran also provides them with a reliable end-of-shot-clock option, something they have been desperately lacking. The visitors here did finish last season top of the league in rebounding percentage and should control the glass in this one. The Thunder were just 19th in that category themselves and could have issues dealing with the size of Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith Jr. and Steven Adams. The absence of Holmgren would not help matters. The hosts should struggle to squeeze out a win here, yet alone cover the spread.
Read our full Rockets vs Thunder prediction, including a 5-star best bet, along with our Rockets vs Thunder Same Game Parlay
Warriors vs Lakers best bet: Over 223.5 (-110)
Odds available at Caesars Sportsbook at time of publishing.
Preseason isn’t usually a measuring stick when it comes to analysis, but for what it’s worth, the Lakers went just 1-4 in 5 games, with head coach JJ Redick experimenting a lot with his lineups. LA made some significant moves during the offseason, adding Deandre Ayton, who will start at center, while Marcus Smart comes in to strengthen the point guard position. The defense will suffer a bit with Dorian Finney-Smith leaving for Houston, but then again, the Lakers weren’t really known for their defense last season. LeBron James will miss the start of the season with a sciatica injury, it is unclear when he is expected back. It’ll be up to Luka Doncic to build on a solid offseason where he performed very well at Eurobasket with Slovenia.
Despite having the oldest starting 5 in the league, the Warriors aren’t without high expectations this season. The trio of Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green is as good as any other in the league, if they can play enough games together. Golden State will be basing their optimism on the fact they went 22-5 in 27 games when Curry and Butler played together last season, it is well documented how good those two players compliment each other on the basketball court. Al Horford and Seth Curry are the two most notable additions, while Kuminga, Melton and Gary Payton II all got extended. There was something about playing on the road that got this team fired up last season, they concluded the year winning 9 of 13 games away from home.
There have been a few rule changes this offseason that will benefit shooters like Stephen Curry, so I expect the scoring to go up a bit in the early going. Both teams will want to show off in the season opener, I’d rather lean towards a high scoring game here as opposed to backing a team to win. The over has cashed in 6 straight meetings. Back the points.
Find out our Warriors vs Lakers prediction and our expert Warriors vs Lakers Same Game Parlay picks
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