The 2025/26 NBA Season is officially underway and we kicked it off with an electric night of basketball. The Rockets took the Thunder to double overtime on ring night. Eventually running out of gas and going home with a 1-point loss.
The Warriors were in Hollywood to cap the night. The Lakers managed to keep it close for most of the game, but Jimmy Butler’s 31 points was too much. Luka was unstoppable, finishing with 43 points, 12 rebounds and 9 assists; just one shy of a triple-double.
We’ve got a jam packed slate for today and I’ve got a few props I wanna get into.
For additional information on picks, props, money lines and more on today’s slate, take a look at our NBA Picks Page or our NBA Odds Page, here.
Nikola Vučević o3.5 Assists (+130)
Vučević assists against the Detroit Pistons, a wagon we’ve tapped into many times. Last year against the Pistons, Vučević averaged 9.0 potential assists per game, three full potential assists higher than his regular season mark. Unfortunately he only cleared this line in two of their four games, but he finished with eight or more potentials in every game.
A lot of this has to do with the size and athleticism of his opponent, Jalen Duren. Duren’s a tough opponent to meet at the rim and it’s why the Pistons also ranked 27th in assists allowed to opposing centers last year. This game’s got one of the highest totals on the board tonight and the Bulls will be without their #1 scoring option, Coby White.
Without White it means Vučević should see an increase in touches, leading to an increase assist opportunities. Vučević cleared this line in four of his six games last year without White in the lineup and should look to do more as a facilitator tonight.
Zion Williamson o5.5 Assists (+110)
I’m fully in on Skinny Zion. However he did it, the kid lost significant weight and looks to enter this year in great shape and locked in on winning basketball games. The Pelicans have doubled down on Zion and committed to the 25-year old and he looks ready to deliver this year.
With Zion it’s never been a question of talent, just availability. This year both he and the team have addressed it and reassured us that he’s healthy and 100% ready for the start of the season. He played in all four of the team’s preseason games, even logging 21+ minutes in the team’s last two contests. Williamson recorded 5, 3, 4, and 6 assists in the four games and will be this team’s primary offensive option this year.
With Jordan Poole taking on the starting PG role, I’m expecting the Pelicans to run this offense through Zion. He dominated a ton of ball handling duties last year but with Brandon Ingram still on the roster he never saw the usage that comes with a true #1. This year it’s just Zion.
Poole’s never averaged five assists per game, Trey Murphy’s a shooter and Zion’s going to be this team’s primary ball handler. He’s one of the scariest guys to watch coming down the lane and he’s got an uncanny ability to kick it out to the open man. Tonight against the Grizzlies with the total sitting at 236, I’m expecting a big night from the Pelican’s superstar.
Evan Mobley o17.5 Points (-120)
The Cleveland Cavaliers come into this year looking for postseason success.This year could be the year, the East is wide open and Evan Mobley looks to take another step forward this year.
Mobley averaged 18.5 points per game last year, shot 56% from the field and got more comfortable from beyond the arc. Mobley increased his thee point volume to 3.2 attempts per game and shot 37% from beyond the arc.
This offseason the Cavs traded for Lonzo Ball and I can’t wait to see the impact it has on Mobley. Lonzo is one of the last ‘old school’ PGs left in the league, the kind that make the players around them better and the kind that help their big men thrive. Mobley enters a matchup tonight with the Knicks and a very undersized front court.
The Knicks will be without both Mitchell Robinson and Josh Hart, while Karl-Anthony Towns was just downgraded to doubtful for the opener. Look for Mobley to take advantage of the size mismatch and possibly have his first ‘Madison Square Moment’.
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