Ladbrokes’ Daily NBA Tips & Player Predictions cover the biggest matchups throughout the 2026/27 season, with expert insights, game analysis and betting previews across the key markets.
The Sixers couldn’t have asked for a better start to the season.
Philly spoiled the Knicks’ banner night on Wednesday, picking up a six-point win at the Garden. Tyrese Maxey led the way with a vintage 28-point performance, while Kentavious Caldwell-Pope came up with some timely threes down the stretch.
LeBron James and Jaylen Brown also made strong first impressions in their Sixers debuts. There was plenty of talk about the team needing time to find its chemistry, but neither looked out of place in Nick Nurse’s lineup.
Cleveland begins its campaign on the road with most of last year’s group intact. James Harden has signed a three-year extension, and the addition of former Nugget Peyton Watson gives the Cavs another option from the perimeter.
I wouldn’t read too much into Philly’s opening-night win just yet, especially with the Knicks playing in front of an emotional home crowd as they raised their championship banner.
Cleveland reached the Eastern Conference Finals last season before coming up short. Harden could create a few bumps along the way, but this remains a balanced team that led the East in points per game last year and won 25 times on the road.
- PREDICTION: Cavs to Cover (+2.5 Points) @ $1.90
PLAYER PICK
The Sixers’ offense looked sharp on Wednesday, but their work on the defensive glass caught my eye for the wrong reason. New York had a 28–7 edge in second-chance points, and that could open the door for Evan Mobley to do damage on the boards.
Mobley led Cleveland with nine rebounds per game last season. I’ll back the Cavs big man to reach double figures in the opener.
- PREDICTION: Evan Mobley 10+ Rebounds @ $2
This is a tough way for Denver to open the season after watching Oklahoma City dismantle the Spurs.
The Thunder had plenty to prove after losing to San Antonio in last year’s Conference Finals, and they came out firing—building a double-digit lead and never letting it go. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander did what he does, while Jalen Williams also impressed with seven rebounds, 12 points and a couple of assists.
Denver is harder to get a read on. For the Nuggets, so much comes down to health. That’s true for every team, but Nikola Jokić missed the second half of last season, and Denver’s reliance on him is hard to ignore—particularly after giving up 116 points per game to opponents last year.
Oklahoma City looks like a team still motivated by how last season ended. Back at home after holding the Spurs to 25% shooting from three, the Thunder look well placed to cover the 8.5-point spread.
- PREDICTION: Thunder to Cover (-8.5 Points) @ $1.90
PLAYER PICK
Chet Holmgren made a solid contribution in Wednesday’s win over San Antonio, finishing with 14 points and seven rebounds while dealing with the Wembanyama matchup.
He faces another demanding assignment on Friday against Jokić. The two missed some time against each other last season, but Holmgren’s 21-rebound performance in their late-February meeting is tough to forget.
- PREDICTION: Chet Holmgren 10+ Rebounds