NBA Regular Season 2025 Begins: The Biggest Questions Ahead of Opening Week

It seems that every year the same question arises before the start of the new NBA season, one

of whether the new one can top the previous. The 2025/26 season will have a tall task, but it

does, again, seem that the fans and experts are in for a treat. More than enough has happened

during the offseason to make the upcoming campaign one of the most unforgettable ones in

recent memory. From trades and injuries to new power dynamics and rising teams, there are

bound to be many surprises across both the Western and the Eastern Conferences.

With that in mind, only a few days before tipoff, we talk about the biggest questions ahead of the

opening week and attempt to answer them. Nobody can be certain about individual and team

performances, nor how new players will adapt to their new systems. All we can do is speculate

while backed up by the proof and data we have. But hey, is that not one of the most exciting

things about professional sports? Besides, it is also how NBA Season Expert Picks and

Predictions are made and why choosing your favorites early can make a huge difference in your

future payout.

 

Who Can Stop the OKC From Repeating?

Can the Oklahoma City Thunder’s young squad be stopped when the Playoffs roll around in

2026? On their way to defend their first ever championship, which would be the first title repeat

since the Golden State Warriors did it in 2017 and 2018, they do not have a clear rival. This is

especially true for the East, but more on that later. In the Western Conference, no other team

has what it takes to handle everything that OKC has in store. First and foremost, they have Shai

Gilgeous Alexander, the defending MVP, with another one in sight. The Canadian superstar

swept the MVPs last season, too, winning the Finals MVP and the Conference Finals MVP. He

was also the scoring champion. Doing the same would guarantee another great year, let alone

repeating his historic season. And what a team he has around him.

The core around him is stacked with very athletic, long, young stars who are only getting better

on both ends. Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren are the biggest threats for opponents: a

swingman, three way scorer, and a tall, dominant center who can run and shoot. Add to that the

likes of Alex Caruso, a two time champ and a menace on defense, Isaiah Hartenstein, both a

running mate for a twin tower lineup and a backup for Holmgren, and you have the core of six

players that nobody else can match up with well right now. And then, there is the rest of the

bench: Lu Dort, Aaron Wiggins, Cason Wallace, Nikola Topic…all drafted by the system. Led by

Mark Daigneault on the bench and Sam Presti from the GM’s office, OKC did not change

anything; they paid their top guys, and they are ready to build a dynasty for years to come.

 

Houston…Do We (Finally) Have Liftoff?

Whenever a team lands a player of Kevin Durant’s caliber, we cannot help but view them as one

of the favorites for the title. One of the best to ever do it, a natural scorer, and arguably the best

offensive player, KD needs no introduction. Leaving the failed experiment in Phoenix should do

him well, especially when he is joining a team that was number 2 in the West last season, with a

considerable stint at the top of the conference, too. The Rockets are very young, hungry, and

motivated to make the final push. The disappointing elimination at the hands of the more

experienced but less well equipped GSW in the playoffs has awoken something in them, and

with KD in their ranks, that could be enough for a deep Playoffs push. If OKC had a rival in the

West, Houston could be it. Never before has Durant had such a young, tall, and athletic core.

 

Now, sure, he played on several superteams, but these Rockets are special. With the combined

offense and defense that Amen Thompson, Alperen Sengun, Clint Capela, Steven Adams, and

Jabari Smith Jr. bring, he can focus on what he does best: scoring the ball. There is enough

length, rebounding, hustle play, and assists to go around without him impacting these areas of

the game, which means KD will again be able to score as much as he can. Sure, Fred VanVleet

is out for the season, but the sophomore point guard Reed Sheppard is already proving he can

start. In his most recent preseason game, he showed up and showed out with 29 points, 6

rebounds, 6 assists, 4 steals, 3 blocks, and 5 threes. An all around performance that earns

players trust from the coach, teammates, and fans. He is sure going to be a dark horse in NBA

Fantasy leagues. If you want to bet on the NBA Season 2025/26, the Houston Rockets are

among the most interesting teams.

 

Can Denver Pose a Threat and Win Again?

With the three time MVP, Finals MVP, and the man who brought the city its first ever title, the

Denver Nuggets will be a contender as long as Nikola Jokic wears their jersey. However, since

their 2023 title season, the following two campaigns proved to be failed experiments, mainly

because of two reasons. The 2023 title was a perfect mix of health, performance, and power

dynamics in the league. The Nuggets played the best basketball in the league and won. In 2024

and 2025, they did not, so why is that? Well, for starters, Michael Porter Jr. was nowhere to be

found, and the team parted ways with some key players like Bruce Brown. There was nobody to

replace Jokic when he was resting, and Jammal Murray was on and off the court.

 

Now, however, the team is better than ever as they have managed to address all of the issues.

Sending Porter Jr. to the Nets in exchange for Cam Johnson is a great trade; plus, they brought

back Bruce Brown and signed Jonas Valanciunas. Jokic has a backup center, Johnson is a

better overall player than Porter Jr., and Brown brings a steady flow of much needed threes.

Toss in the always reliable Aaron Gordon, a healthy Murray, and Christian Braun, who is better

than ever, and Denver is a serious contender with the best chance at a title in the last three

Years.

 

Who Will Fill in the Gap in the East?

With Jason Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton tearing their Achilles in the Playoffs last season, both

the Boston Celtics and the Indiana Pacers, the 2024 champions and the 2025 runners up,

respectively, are entirely out of contention. Not only did they lose their superstars, but the front

offices decided to break it all up. The Celtics traded away Jrue Holiday, Al Horford, and Kristaps

Porzingis and will rely heavily on Jalen Brown, Derrick White, and Payton Pritchard this year.

The Pacers traded away starting center Myles Turner, as Pascal Siakam will lead the breakout

stars Andrew Nebhard, Aaron Nesmith, and co.

 

The Cleveland Cavaliers and the NY Knicks are there as the only complete, healthy, and serious

teams, exactly what they were last year. But can they improve on their disappointing exits in the

2025 playoffs? Donoval Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen now have

Lonzo Ball, too. With a strong bench, they will look to improve on last year’s disappointing

playoff exit. The same goes for Karl Anthony Towns, Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, and the

Knicks. With the likes of Josh Hart, Jordan Clarkson, and OG Anunoby, they are very well

rounded to make it out of the East and challenge for the title.

 

Will the Young Guns of the East Break Out?

The Cavs and the Knicks are the frontrunners, but which teams step in to fill the void left by the

Pacers and Celtics? The two likeliest candidates are the Detroit Pistons and the Orlando Magic.

Both teams are young, with breakout seasons behind them and a hunger and motivation for a

deep playoff run. The East is entirely open, and only the Miami Heat and the Milwaukee Bucks

pose a certain threat. However, Pistons and Detroit are much more likely to reach the EFC than

the veterans from the Heat and the Bucks.

 

With players like Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren, Ausar Thompson, and Tobias Harris, Motor

City is poised for a step forward. Even more likely for a memorable year are Franz Wagner,

fresh off a European title with Germany, Paulo Banchero, and Jalen Suggs, with their new

running mate in Desmond Bane, there, too. Antetokounmp lost Lillard and Lopez, but got

Turner, and Miami only has Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro as threats. The East will be fun to

wager on, so make sure to use the Exclusive NBA Season Promotion when placing your picks.

 

Opening Night Predictions

With the Preseason ending on October 17, the 2025/26 season proper starts on Monday,

October 21, with two games on schedule. And what amazing openers they will be. First, the

Houston Rockets will look to spoil the OKC Thunder’s ring ceremony. Kevin Durant will have to

watch as the team where he spent so many years receives their championship rings. It is a

great way to open the year with the two best teams in the West facing off. SGA and Co. will

have a full arena behind them, and the atmosphere should be one of the best all year when the

hopeful Rockets come into town.The second game is a classic, the continuation of the decade’s

long rivalry between Le Bron James and Stephen Curry. Sadly, LBJ will miss the game with an injury, so the shorthanded

Lakers will be led by Luka alone when facing the scariest veteran squad in the league.

Alongside Steph, his brother Seth will debut with GSW, while Draymond Green, Jimmy Butler,

newly extended Jonathan Kuminga, and Buddy Hield should start. Do not forget about the late

addition of Al Horford, which makes the team even older!

 

OKC is the favorite to take this game on Stake.com with 1.30 odds to win it. Rockets are at

3.40. As for LAL vs GSW, the home Hollywood home team is the underdog with 1.98 versus the

1.80 odds that the Bay Area visitors get. As for the outright odds, OKC is the leader for the title

with 3.45, followed by Nuggets with 7.50, Cavs with 9.00, and Knicks with 9.50. Rockets are at

11.00 and the Wolves are at 14.00. SGA leads the MVP race with 2.90, followed by Jokic with

3.40 and Doncic with 4.75. Cooper Flagg is the leading favorite for the ROY with 1.54, almost a

sure thing, while Victor Wembanyama is the DPOY leader with 1.50.

 

NBA Betting FAQs

• How does the point spread work in NBA betting?

The point spread evens the odds between teams. For example, if the Lakers are -6.5 against

the Knicks, they must win by 7 or more for your bet to win. If the Knicks are +6.5, they can lose

by up to 6 points (or win) for your bet to cash.

• What does the over/under mean in NBA betting?

The over/under (O/U) is a total set by sportsbooks predicting the combined final score of both

teams. You bet on whether the total points scored will be over or under that number.

• What are NBA prop bets?

Prop bets (proposition bets) focus on specific in game outcomes, such as a player scoring 25+

points, getting a triple double, or a team hitting 15+ three pointers. They do not depend on the

final score.

• When is the best time to place NBA bets?

You can bet before the game (pre game) or live (in game). Early betting may offer better lines,

while live betting lets you react to how the game unfolds (injuries, momentum shifts). The best

time for an outright bet is before the season starts.

• How do injuries and load management affect betting?

NBA teams often rest key players, especially during busy schedules and insignificant games

late in the season. Always check injury reports and starting lineups before betting, since missing

stars can drastically change the odds and expected outcomes.● How can I improve my strategy?

Successful bettors research team stats, pace of play, injury reports, back to back games,

home/away splits, and matchups. Tracking line movements and using bankroll management are

also key.