The 2024-25 NBA season is here, and so are our NBA picks from the best basketball betting podcast in all the land, "Buckets."
For tonight's Knicks vs. Celtics and Timberwolves vs. Lakers season openers, our expert crew has best bets across the board. Currently, the Celtics are 6-point favorites over the Knicks on the spread (Celtics -6), with the total set at 221.5 in the first game on Tuesday. The Wolves are 1-point favorites over the Lakers (Timberwolves -1), with the total in that game sitting at 222.5.
Knicks vs. Celtics tips off at 7:30 p.m. ET on TNT, although with Boston's title celebration and ring ceremony, you can count on the game starting later than that. Wolves vs. Lakers is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET but will likely start whenever the first game ends. Both games are streaming on YouTube TV, Max and other platforms.
Let's get to our NBA predictions and NBA picks for Opening Night!
NBA Opening Night Predictions and Picks
Click on any of the links below to go directly to the specific expert NBA pick from "Buckets".
- Knicks vs. Celtics spread: The case for the Knicks to cover; the case for the Celtics to cover
- Knicks vs. Celtics player props: Deuce McBride Over 8.5 points; Deuce McBride Over 1.5 3-pointers
- Lakers vs. Wolves spread: The case for the Lakers to cover; the case for the Wolves to cover
- Lakers vs. Wolves over/under: Under the total
- NBA opening night parlay: Knicks Moneyline; Knicks vs. Celtics Over; Deuce McBride over 8.5 points
Knicks vs. Celtics Picks
| Knicks Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+6 -110 | 221.5 -110o / -110u | +200 |
| Celtics Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-6 -110 | 221.5 -110o / -110u | -245 |
The case for the Knicks to cover
"I like the Knicks +5.5. They match up well defensively against the Celtics, and the Celtics without Porzingis aren’t the same team. The Knicks have an outside chance to win outright." — Jay Money
The case for the Celtics to cover
“I’m taking the Celtics -5.5. Eastern Conference home teams on opening night have been dominant, with favorites hitting 60% ATS over the last decade. Plus, this is a banner night, which historically favors home teams.” — Matt Moore
NBA Player Prop Picks
“I'm going with Deuce McBride over 8.5 points and over 1.5 threes. He led the team in preseason field goal attempts and will get a lot of touches in a thin Knicks bench. His preseason paint attacks suggest more opportunities to score.” — Sean Little
Lakers vs. Wolves Picks
| Timberwolves Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1 -110 | 222.5 -110o / -110u | -115 |
| Lakers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1 -110 | 222.5 -110o / -110u | -105 |
The case for the Lakers to cover
“I like the Lakers +1.5. Despite all the moving parts for the Timberwolves, the Lakers have better continuity and are motivated to start the season strong, unlike their usual slow starts.” — Jay Money
The case for the Wolves to cover
“I’m taking the Timberwolves at -1.5, and I like the under 219.5. Western Conference home dogs in their openers haven’t fared well over the past decade, making the Wolves the better play here.” — Matt Moore
NBA Opening Night Parlay
- Knicks Moneyline
- Knicks vs. Celtics Over 221.5 points
- Deuce McBride over 8.5 points
“We’re taking the Knicks moneyline because Jay Money thinks they can win outright, and that’s good enough for me. We’re taking the over 221.5, and I’ll tell you why that’s ballsy — the under has been dynamite in these opening night games, especially on Tuesdays. Since 2003, Tuesday games have gone 59-34-1 to the under, better than 63%. But I think this number is too low, even with the officiating expected to be a little more rough and tumble. And we’re throwing in Sean’s Deuce McBride over 8.5 points. That gets us up to a juicy +634. Same-game parlay: Knicks Moneyline, over 221.5, Deuce McBride over 8.5 points.” — Matt Moore
