National Basketball Association

NBA Daily Picks: Wednesday, October 26

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 12:26 p.m. ET

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Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports

Picking the winner of every NBA game on October 26

LeBron James nonchalantly dropped a triple-double, the Spurs dominated the Warriors and Portland started the season 1-0, led by Damian Lillard‘s 39 points, nine rebounds and six assists. All in all, it was a great opening night for the NBA and I went 3-0.

You can re-check, but I was one of the few to believe in Kawhi Leonard and the San Antonio Spurs yesterday. Although, it’s a new day and there’s really no way I won’t mess up today. There are 10 games tonight and I’d have to be even more of a genius than I proved to be yesterday, with my Spurs’ pick, to start the season 13-0.

Well, let’s get to the picks and see if I can at least stay above .500. There are a lot of really good games if you have League Pass, and others that shouldn’t be competitive by halftime.

In case you’re new, every day I will make a prediction of each NBA game. There will be a lock of the day which basically means there’s no way that team is going to lose. Below is my overall record and lock of the day record.

Overall Record: 3-0

Lock of the Day Record: 1-0

Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Brooklyn Nets @ Boston Celtics [Lock of the Day]

Both Atlantic Division teams are starting their 2016-17 season, but they enter with completely different expectations. The Nets want to develop their younger players and Boston feels they have a legitimate chance in the Eastern Conference.

This game only adds more significance since the Nets first round picks in the next two drafts go to the Celtics. Boston can kick off their season on the right foot in two ways. Although, hearing about the picks all game will get old. There probably should be a drinking game for every time it’s mentioned.

Still, big free agent signing Al Horford will finally play significant minutes for the Celtics and third overall pick Jaylen Brown should see playing time, as well. This really shouldn’t be a game past halftime, but Boston Celtics basketball is back and with a new look that adds a lot of intrigue to an otherwise underwhelming game on paper.

Pick: Boston Celtics

Miami Heat @ Orlando Magic

The Miami Heat have a completely different look to them with Dwyane Wade now in Chicago. Although, expected starting shooting guard Josh Richardson will miss the season opener. That being said, the Heat still have new leaders Hassan Whiteside and Goran Dragic.

Play in the paint will decide the game, though.

Even with big free agent signing Bismack Biyombo suspended, the Magic still have a crowded front court with Nikola Vucevic, Aaron Gordon and Serge Ibaka. The Magic seemingly improved this offseason, but there is no certainty of how quickly their front court will mesh.

Orlando is a four-point favorite at home, but the game is still in the state of Florida, so the Heat aren’t traveling far. I’ll go against Vegas and say that Miami starts their season 1-0. Dragic should have a bounce back season and he’ll start on the season opener.

Pick: Miami Heat

Dallas Mavericks @ Indiana Pacers

Harrison Barnes played on Team USA this summer, which is still humorous. He didn’t play much, but he’ll be the focal point on Dallas this season. After one of the most disappointing preseason’s in the NBA, the Mavericks have to at least be wondering a little if they shouldn’t have signed him to a max contract.

Indiana is coming off one of the most underrated offseasons, in my opinion. They added Thaddeus Young, traded George Hill for Jeff Teague and signed veteran center Al Jefferson to the bench. Every move made them a better team with Paul George being able to move back to small forward, but the season relies on Myles Turner’s development.

I love Dirk Nowitzki, but when it comes down to it, it’s highly unlikely that the Harrison Barnes signing pays off. Indiana is a seven-point favorite at home, where they went 26-15 last year. Indiana should be better this season, and they’ll beat Dallas.

Pick: Indiana Pacers

Detroit Pistons @ Toronto Raptors

This is one of the most intriguing games of the day. Both teams come into the season with high hopes and should compete to be the second best team in the East. Although, the biggest difference in this game is that Ish Smith is starting at point guard for Detroit with Reggie Jackson out with an injury.

It’s not a favorable matchup against All-Star Kyle Lowry, to say the least. Plus, Toronto only lost nine times at home in 2015-16, and Detroit went under .500 on the road.

The loss of Bismack Biyombo does hurt their depth, especially with Jared Sullinger out for 2-3 months. In the end, though, the Raptors rely on their guards and it’s worked in the past couple of seasons.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Detroit won, but the loss of Jackson hurts and Toronto is not an easy place to play at. I’ll take the Raptors with mild confidence.

Pick: Toronto Raptors

Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Charlotte Hornets @ Milwaukee Bucks

Signing Marvin Williams and Nicolas Batum was huge for the Hornets. With Michael Kidd-Gilchrist back from injury, the Hornets have one of the stronger starting fives in the East this season and are very good defensively on the perimeter. Although, it all relies on their bench.

They have potential with Roy Hibbert, Marco Belinelli and Jeremy Lamb, just to name a few, but none are a bonafide sixth man.

On the other hand, Milwaukee is in a tough position with Khris Middleton possibly out for the season. They did trade for Tony Snell but he has shown very little in Chicago. That being said, it’s hard to argue with their front court depth and Giannis Antetokounmpo.

As bad as Milwaukee was last season, they won at home (23-18). That being said, the Hornets are the favorites, and Batum and Gilchrist give the Hornets a chance to somewhat matchup with the Greek Freak. I think the Bucks will be better this season, but Charlotte won 48 games last season and their perimeter defense wins them games.

Pick: Charlotte Hornets

Minnesota Timberwolves @ Memphis Grizzlies

The Tom Thibodeau era is upon us with everyone’s favorite up and coming team, the Minnesota Timberwolves. It’s easy to love Karl-Anthony Towns, Andrew Wiggins and Zach LaVine, but don’t forget they only won 29 games a season ago. The Timberwolves should see a major improvement, but they’re still a year or two away from reaching their full potential.

Plus, Memphis won 42 games with a banged up roster. They also now have a healthy Marc Gasol and signed Chandler Parsons, who should help on the perimeter.

Not many people will like it, but Memphis is not an easy place to play at and this is only Thibodeau’s first game with Minnesota. He had instant success in his first season with Chicago, but they still started the season 2-3. Nothing against Minnesota or Thibodeau, but Memphis is the veteran team who got better, I’ll take them at home.

Pick: Memphis Grizzlies

Denver Nuggets @ New Orleans Pelicans

Neither team should be terrible, but neither should be great, either. Gary Harris might miss the season opener for the Nuggets. Will Barton had a solid 2015-16 season, but it would force rookie Jamal Murray into action right away.

With Tyreke Evans and Jrue Holiday injured, the Pelicans back court isn’t at full strength, either. However, Anthony Davis will be very hard to stop, even with Denver’s dynamic duo down low. Even with a dominating Davis down low, a Langston Galloway – E’Twaun Moore back court doesn’t sound appetizing.

With or without Garry Harris, I like the Nuggets on the road. Will Barton isn’t a huge downgrade and the Pelicans will have a hard time stopping Danilo Gallinari.

Pick: Denver Nuggets

Oklahoma City Thunder @ Philadelphia 76ers

What better way for Russell Westbrook to start his revenge tour than against The Process that is the Philadelphia 76ers. Watching Joel Embiid and Dario Saric finally play in meaningful minutes is very exciting, but the 76ers still aren’t that good of a team yet.

Jerryd Bayless is out for the first month of the season, leaving the 76ers point guard position in shambles. Westbrook should have a field day with Victor Oladipo next to him. Plus, an experienced front court in Steven Adams and Enes Kanter shouldn’t be dominated by Philadelphia’s younger players.

Don’t get me wrong, Oklahoma City has problems of their own, but Westbrook has been waiting for the start of the season since Kevin Durant left and he has a lot of anger built up inside of him. The 76ers aren’t going to be as bad this season, and I hope Joel Embiid has a big game to help my fantasy team, but the Thunder will win.

Pick: Oklahoma City Thunder

Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports

Sacramento Kings @ Phoenix Suns

One of these teams will be undefeated after tomorrow. Considering the Phoenix Suns won just 23 games a season ago and no one really takes the Kings seriously, it’s pretty funny that one of them will sit atop the Western Conference.

The Suns have added a lot of young talent over the past two drafts but still have no real direction. They’ve mixed young players with veterans, who take away minutes, like they’re going to compete this year. I like Devin Booker, T.J. Warren, Eric Bledsoe and others on the Suns, but it seems like they’re just building a roster with players with no direction in mind.

It’s not to say that Sacramento has any real direction either, but at least they have DeMarcus Cousins, and that fixes a lot of problems.

When it comes down to it, I think the Suns have to better figure out their roster and rotation under Earl Watson before they start winning. Don’t forget, the Kings finished 10th in the West a season ago. Even though they lost Rajon Rondo, Sacramento is still the better team and they’ll win on the road.

Pick: Sacramento Kings

Houston Rockets @ Los Angeles Lakers

Ryan Anderson and Eric Gordon could actually turn out to be good signings for the Houston Rockets. Timofey Mozgov and Luol Deng won’t for the Los Angeles Lakers. Taking away minutes from younger players with potential isn’t smart, yet here we are.

The Lakers have a few good names on their roster — D’Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson, Julius Randle — but they’re not ready to take the next step. All three should improve individually, but it’s a little premature to think they’ll drastically improve as a team this year.

As for this game, Ryan Anderson’s three-point shot with Clint Capela‘s rebounding could cause problems for the Lakers. Plus, James Harden is one of the most complete players in the NBA and will give the young D’Angelo Russell all he can handle on opening night.

Maybe the Lakers will defend the Staples Center on their opening night, but Houston is clearly the better team.

Pick: Houston Rockets