NBA Week 1 Preview and Free Picks

We are just hours away from the official start of the 2024/25 NBA season, the best basketball in the world, so fans are excited in every corner.

There is no doubt that the Boston Celtics enter the 2024/25 NBA season as reigning champions and favorites to claim back-to-back titles. Led by the dynamic duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, the Celtics dominated the league last year with their potent offensive firepower and suffocating defense.

The Oklahoma City Thunder have assembled an exciting young core with stars like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Alex Caruso, and Isaiah Hartenstein. With their immense talent and potential, the Thunder could make the finals this season. However, their inexperience could prevent them from being a true title contender.

On the other hand, the Phoenix Suns, led by the dynamic duo of Devin Booker and Kevin Durant, have retained their core while adding depth in the offseason.

That said, we expect the 2024/25 NBA season to be full of excitement and, most importantly, teams to give us incredible games with exceptional plays.

Below, we bring you the preview of some of the most interesting games of this first week of the NBA regular season, with their respective betting odds and our free predictions.

NBA Week 1: Celtics vs. Knicks

Celtics 1.44	Knicks 2.84
When:	Tuesday, October 22 at 7:30 PM ET, 6:30 PM CST, 5:30 PM MT, and 4:30 PM PT
Where?	TD Garden
Where can I watch it?	NBA League Pass

The Boston Celtics are coming off a successful season in which they not only won the championship but also showed great defensive prowess that contributed to their success. On the other hand, the New York Knicks are building a larger roster with new signings, aiming to advance further in important games after a close playoff elimination by the Indiana Pacers.

The Boston Celtics are aiming to defend their NBA championship title in the upcoming season after a series of preseason games helped both starters and reserves regain their competitive edge following a break from playing.

Meanwhile, the Knicks have set their sights on climbing the Eastern Conference standings and competing strongly throughout the season. To bolster their efforts, the team made significant roster changes by acquiring Karl-Anthony Towns and parting ways with Julius Randle and Donte DeVincenzo.

In their most recent meeting on April 11, 2024, the Knicks were victorious with a final score of 118-109. However, in the last five meetings between the two teams, the Boston Celtics have dominated the series by winning four games.

Our prediction is a win for the Celtics.

Celtics vs. Knicks Betting Pick: Celtics

NBA Week 1: Lakers vs. Timberwolves

Lakers 2.00	Timberwolves 1.83
When:	Tuesday, October 22 at 10:00 PM ET, 9:00 PM CST, 8:00 PM MT, and 7:00 PM PT
Where?	Crypto.com Arena
Where can I watch it?	NBA League Pass

The Los Angeles Lakers enter the regular season with more uncertainties than certainties, largely due to their disappointing preseason performance, where they lost four of six games. In contrast, the Minnesota Timberwolves, with a partially revamped roster, are aiming to re-establish themselves as one of the best teams in the Western Conference, a position they have held in recent seasons.

Led by key players like Anthony Edwards and strong performances in the paint from Rudy Gobert and Naz Reid, the Timberwolves could exploit the Lakers’ defensive vulnerabilities, especially when their starters are off the court.

The Los Angeles team’s goal for this NBA season is to secure a playoff berth more comfortably and potentially compete in the tough Western Conference. They have used the preseason games to get back into rhythm after an extended hiatus from play.

The Minnesota Timberwolves are known for their cohesive and well-structured team play, which previously led them to the Western Conference Finals, a testament to their strength as a unit.

For this game, our prediction is a win for the Timberwolves.

Lakers vs. Timberwolves Betting Pick: Timberwolves

NBA Week 1: 76ers vs. Bucks

76ers 1.71	Bucks 2.20
When:	Wednesday, October 23 at 7:30 PM ET, 6:30 PM CST, 5:30 PM MT, and 4:30 PM PT
Where?	Wells Fargo Center
Where can I watch it?	NBA League Pass

The Philadelphia 76ers ended their preseason with a 99-114 loss to the Orlando Magic, following wins over the Atlanta Hawks and Brooklyn Nets. Despite losing Tyrese Maxey to injury, they kept it close in the first half before falling behind by 14 points in the third quarter.

With a 3-3 preseason record, the 76ers are now focused on their upcoming game against the Bucks after both teams were eliminated in the first round of last season’s playoffs. In preparation for the campaign, the Sixers have added new players, including Paul George from the Los Angeles Clippers.

Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Bucks were unable to secure a second straight preseason win, as they were defeated 84-109 by the Dallas Mavericks. By giving Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard a break, the Bucks encountered offensive challenges, with Gary Trent Jr. only managing to score 12 points, leading the team in this regard. The loss marked their third in four preseason games, and they will need a morale boost heading into the new season.

Facing the 76ers in their season opener will be a tough challenge for the Bucks, but they are confident in their recent success in this matchup, having won the last four meetings.

For this game, our prediction is a win for Philadelphia.

76ers vs. Bucks Betting Pick: 76ers

NBA Week 1: Clippers vs. Suns

Clippers 2.60	Suns 1.52
When:	Wednesday, October 23 at 10:00 PM ET, 9:00 PM CST, 8:00 PM MT, and 7:00 PM PT
Where?	Intuit Dome
Where can I watch it?	NBA League Pass

The Los Angeles Clippers demonstrate a tight-knit and coordinated style of play. However, they will be without Paul George, who was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers. The team now aims to capitalize on their collective approach and utilize the offensive prowess of James Harden to aim to score between 25 and 32 points per game, especially in the absence of Kawhi Leonard during the preseason.

The Phoenix Suns continue to be an energetic and aggressive offensive team with star players such as Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, and Bradley Beal. With the addition of point guard Tyus Jones, the team looks to maximize their top scorers and Jones’ playmaking skills to target a wider scoring range.

Both teams are focused on efficient frontcourt movement: the Clippers emphasize organization in their play, while the Suns rely on their offensive capabilities. It is anticipated that the Clippers, benefiting from home-court advantage, will aim to score between 110 and 120 points, as the Suns are projected to do.

The matchup between these two teams is likely to be a close battle, with both squads vying for scoring supremacy from the opening tip-off to the final quarter.

That said, we expect the Phoenix Suns to step up and take the win.

Clippers vs. Suns Betting Pick: Suns