After a 4-month break that felt like an eternity, the NBA returns this week. True to form, the league has orchestrated an opening night filled with mouthwatering matchups, showcasing rivalries, interesting narratives, or a blend of both. In this preview, we will dissect some of the thrilling showdowns and provide some bet predictions for our online sports betting enthusiasts. **Golden State Warriors vs. Phoenix Suns** Odd as it may sound, Tuesday night marks the first occasion Suns’ Forward, Kevin Durant, will grace Warriors fans since his departure following the 2018/19 season. Durant, who is about to begin his 16th NBA Season, won back-to-back NBA championships, consecutive finals MVPs, and reached the finals in each of his three seasons in Golden State. However, the last memory of him donning the Golden State jersey is marred by an Achilles injury suffered during the NBA finals against the Raptors, an injury that sidelined him for an entire season. Since then, he moved to the Brooklyn Nets, and then with the Phoenix Suns, facing the Warriors on the court but not managing to play before his former home team. On prior visits to San Francisco, he was either hampered by injuries or rested. Durant’s appearances in Golden State’s home arena since his 2019 departure have been scarce, with the sole exception being a game when the Nets faced off against the Warriors on February 13, 2021, at Chase Center. However, this encounter took place amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, with no fans in attendance. Safe to say Tuesday will be a special night for him. This is an incredible matchup that will see some of the greatest offensive minds of this generation take to the court. Warriors’ Splash Brothers, Steph Curry, and Klay Thompson, need no introduction as they are two of the greatest shooters ever. To bolster this already scary roster, they’ve also acquired Chris Paul, often regarded as the best pure point guard of this generation. Chris Paul was recently traded from the Suns in the offseason, and there’s little doubt that he’ll be motivated to seek revenge against his former employees. Besides Kevin Durant, the Suns boast the likes of Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, the latter being a recent addition to their roster this summer. Both all-star guards are renowned for their scoring and are among the elite at their positions, capable of effortlessly putting up 30 points on any night. Predicting the outcome of this opening night matchup is tough. Both teams finished the pre-season with 4-1 Records. However, one certainty is that points will be plentiful. The Warriors averaged 117.2PPG during the pre-season while the Suns averaged 119.8. Our inclination is to favor the **Over on the Points Total,** particularly since **BetKing** offers the best odds compared to other betting sites. **Betting Tip:**
**Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Lakers** The last time these two teams met, it was in the Western Conference finals and the Denver Nuggets had just completed a 4-0 series sweep against the Lakers en route winning the Championship. It was one of the most closely contested sweeps in recent years, as the Nuggets won all four games by a combined margin of just 24 points. In a strange turn, the rivalry between these teams intensified after the series was over. Following the Lakers’ Game 4 loss, LeBron James alluded to the possibility of retirement. Given his status as a sports icon, this announcement dominated the NBA and sports news for days, diverting attention away from the remarkable achievement of the Nuggets. Michael Malone, the Head Coach of the Nuggets, found the timing of LeBron James’ announcement and the subsequent buzz surrounding it somewhat disrespectful. In response, he took a few shots at LeBron James and the Lakers organization, sparking an underlying feud of words between the two parties. For the second season in a row, LeBron James will be made to watch a team lift its title banner and get their rings on opening night. Last season, it was the Golden State Warriors, and now, it’s the Denver Nuggets. Just a few days ago, Lakers Head Coach, Darwin Ham, unveiled the Lakers’ starting lineup for this game, which includes D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, Taurean Prince, LeBron James, and Anthony Davis. Some viewed that as the Lakers being prepared for the fight. Last season, the Nuggets were 34-7 at home in the Regular Season, and suffered just one home loss in the playoffs; in Game 2 of the finals against the Heat. Two-time MVP and finals MVP, Nikola Jokic has been one of, if not the, best player on the planet over the past few years and is a handful for most defenses because of the multiple ways he can influence his team’s offense. With his trusted sidekick, Jamal Murray, and Aaron Gordon, the reigning champions should have enough in them to mark the banner night with a win. **Betting Tip:**
**New York Knicks vs. Boston Celtics** The Boston Celtics had a productive preseason, securing a 4-1 record, with their only loss coming against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden, with a score of 114-107. Notably, in that game, the Celtics rested all five of their starting players. However, in a rematch that took place eight days later in Boston, where the Celtics fielded their full starting lineup, they bounced back with a convincing 13-point victory. During the offseason, the Celtics underwent significant changes, parting ways with Marcus Smart, Robert Williams, Malcolm Brogdon, and Grant Williams, while bringing in Kristaps Porziņģis and Jrue Holiday. This revamped roster appears to be notably more efficient on the offensive end, as showed by their preseason performances. They’ve also secured a contract extension for Guard Payton Pritchard, and it’s expected that he will see an increase in his minutes this season. Based on what we witnessed in the preseason, Pritchard is poised to make a substantial impact coming off the bench. While the Celtics are the superior team by a wide margin, recent matchups between these two teams have been closely contested. The Knicks have secured victory in 5 of their last 8 meetings, even when the Celtics were favored in all 8 of those encounters. There’s a certain unpredictability in these matchups, and it’s clear that the Knicks hold a sort of "bogey team" status against the Celtics. As such, our bet of the day is for the Knicks to pull off an upset win on their home court. **Betting Tips:**
**Brooklyn Nets vs. Cleveland Cavaliers** Less than two years ago, the Brooklyn Nets boasted a star-studded roster featuring James Harden, Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Durant, with championship ambitions at the forefront of their goals. Fast forward to the present day, and none of these players remain on the roster. Achieving a playoff spot would now be considered a successful season for the team. However, the current iteration of the team appears to be more cohesive and manageable, as it has less drama. The recent return of Point Guard, Ben Simmons, who had been absent for a significant portion of the last two seasons due to both physical and mental reasons, has been a significant boost. Simmons has displayed dominance in the preseason, showcasing the swagger that earned him three All-Star team selections and two All-Defensive team nods. Alongside defensive stalwarts Mikal Bridges and Nic Claxton, this trio will make it tough for the visitors. The Cleveland Cavaliers are entering this game as slight favorites, and the credit for that largely goes to one man – Donovan Mitchell. While the Cavs’ playoff performance may have been lacklustre, they enjoyed a strong regular season, largely thanks to their All-Star guard. In his debut season with Cleveland, Mitchell averaged an impressive 28.3 points per game, marked by his remarkable franchise-record 71-point performance against the Chicago Bulls in January. The Cavaliers didn’t secure a single victory against an NBA team during the preseason, which has raised some doubts. However, one could argue that their preseason results might not have reflected their full effort. Supported by a talented cast featuring Evan Mobley, Darius Garland, and Jarrett Allen, along with new additions such as Max Strus, Georges Niang, and Ty Jerome, the Cavs boast a solid starting lineup and depth, giving them the edge in Brooklyn. **Betting Tip:**
**Milwaukee Bucks vs. Philadelphia 76ers** There’s a clear disparity in squad harmony and chemistry between these two teams. The Milwaukee Bucks will unveil their new All-Star guard, Dame Lillard, in a highly anticipated competitive debut, creating a buzz among their home fans. On the other hand, the Philadelphia 76ers will be without their own All-Star point guard, James Harden, who has been absent from the team’s media day, multiple practices, and the entire preseason games. Bucks’ superstar, Giannis Antetokounmpo, emphasized the need for the team to become more serious and enhance their contention for a championship. In response to Giannis’ call, the Bucks acquired Dame Lillard, a significant move to bolster their roster. In stark contrast, James Harden has publicly criticized his General Manager, Daryl Morey, branding him a liar and declaring his refusal to play for the team again. This outburst resulted in a hefty $100k fine for the former MVP. While the Bucks are poised to be strong contenders for the title, the 76ers’ future remains uncertain, primarily because of the disgruntled James Harden who is pushing for his departure from yet another NBA team, marking the third such instance in his career. We expect the 76ers to pose some threat when they take to the floor against the Bucks, primarily due to the presence of the reigning MVP and scoring champion, Joel Embiid. However, the Bucks possess what is projected to be the most potent pick-and-roll offense in the league, thanks to the combination of Dame Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo. **Betting Tip:**
**Los Angeles Clippers vs. Portland Trail Blazers** The Clippers have historically been in control of this matchup, securing victory in 12 out of their last 14 meetings, which includes a 3-0 sweep in the regular season of the last campaign. The Clippers have often enjoyed an advantage in star power, coupled with Ty Lue’s superior coaching, which has consistently proven to be the differentiating factor between the two teams. This season, however, the Trail Blazers have undergone a facelift, with the departure of superstar point guard, Dame Lillard, and the addition of notable players such as Deandre Ayton, Robert Williams, reigning 6th Man of the Year Malcolm Brogdon, and the 3rd overall pick, Scoot Henderson. While this new roster appears more talented on paper, they understandably lack team chemistry, as indicated by their winless streak during the preseason. Considering these changes, the expectation is that the Clippers will once again exert their dominance in this game, led by the formidable duo of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. **Betting Tip:**
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