The NBA returns Monday with nine games on the schedule, featuring several intriguing matchups as teams continue to establish themselves early in the season.
We enter tonight with a 24-17-2 season record, coming off a 4-2-1 performance on Sunday.
Minnesota and Oklahoma City look to maintain their unbeaten starts, while Miami searches for its first victory. Meanwhile, Golden State travels to Denver for what could be one of the most entertaining games of the evening.
Here are our nine selections for Monday, October 26.
Washington Wizards vs. Charlotte Hornets
Our Pick: Washington Wizards
Washington enters Monday with some momentum following its impressive 124-120 road victory over Chicago.
Charlotte has also started the season 2-1, but the Hornets have struggled with consistency. Their 47-point defeat against Atlanta exposed some serious concerns, particularly defensively.
With Charlotte missing Kon Knueppel and Coby White, Washington has an opportunity to take advantage of a shorthanded opponent.
We’re backing the Wizards to secure another road victory.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Our Pick: Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota has been one of the NBA’s most impressive teams through the opening week.
The Timberwolves are 3-0, having defeated Miami, Orlando, and Toronto by at least 22 points each. Their combination of offensive firepower and defensive intensity has been outstanding.
Anthony Edwards continues to lead the way, while Minnesota’s supporting cast has contributed on both ends of the floor.
Cleveland presents another challenge, particularly with the Timberwolves playing on consecutive nights. However, Minnesota has simply looked like the better team to start the season.
We expect the Timberwolves to remain unbeaten.
Dallas Mavericks vs. Miami Heat
Our Pick: Miami Heat
Miami’s season hasn’t started the way anyone expected.
Despite adding Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Heat have opened the campaign 0-3, struggling defensively and failing to execute consistently down the stretch.
Dallas hasn’t exactly been impressive either, entering Monday with a 1-2 record. The Mavericks also have some injury concerns, including Cooper Flagg’s questionable status.
Miami desperately needs a victory, and playing at home against an inconsistent Dallas team presents a good opportunity.
We believe Giannis and the Heat will finally put everything together and secure their first win of the season.
Chicago Bulls vs. Boston Celtics
Our Pick: Boston Celtics
Boston secured its first victory of the season against the defending champion Knicks, and the Celtics will look to build on that performance.
Chicago has struggled defensively through its first three games, surrendering far too many points while failing to find consistent offensive production.
Boston has the talent to exploit those weaknesses, particularly with Paul George leading the offensive attack.
The Celtics should also benefit from playing at home against a Chicago team that has yet to establish any consistency.
We’re backing Boston to secure its second consecutive victory.
Indiana Pacers vs. Milwaukee Bucks
Our Pick: Indiana Pacers
Indiana enters Monday following an impressive 136-109 victory over Brooklyn.
Tyrese Haliburton continues to orchestrate the Pacers’ offense, while Pascal Siakam provides another reliable scoring option.
Milwaukee, meanwhile, has opened the season 0-3 and continues to adjust following the departure of Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The Bucks have struggled defensively, allowing an average of 129 points through their first three games.
Indiana will be playing on consecutive nights, and the potential absence of Ivica Zubac could create problems inside. However, Milwaukee hasn’t shown enough defensively to inspire confidence.
We expect the Pacers’ offensive firepower to carry them to another victory.
Phoenix Suns vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
Our Pick: Oklahoma City Thunder
Oklahoma City continues to demonstrate why it remains one of the Western Conference’s most dangerous teams.
The Thunder are unbeaten following Sunday’s 108-101 victory over the Clippers, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continuing to deliver outstanding performances.
However, Oklahoma City enters Monday with some significant injury concerns after several players exited Sunday’s contest.
Phoenix has also struggled early in the season, including a 41-point defeat against Portland.
Even with uncertainty surrounding Oklahoma City’s rotation, the Thunder have earned the benefit of the doubt through their performances.
We’re backing Oklahoma City to remain unbeaten at home.
Atlanta Hawks vs. Houston Rockets
Our Pick: Houston Rockets
These teams are meeting for the second time in three days after Houston defeated Atlanta 121-114 on Saturday.
The Rockets have started the season unbeaten, demonstrating impressive depth despite dealing with several injuries.
Atlanta showed some fight during Saturday’s contest but struggled tremendously from three-point range, missing 36 of its 49 attempts.
Houston has already demonstrated that it can beat this Hawks team, and returning home should provide another advantage.
We expect the Rockets to complete the two-game sweep and continue their unbeaten start.
Memphis Grizzlies vs. Utah Jazz
Our Pick: Memphis Grizzlies
Memphis has been one of the early surprises of the NBA season, opening the campaign with three consecutive victories.
The Grizzlies are coming off a 123-112 victory over Sacramento, with Ty Jerome delivering an outstanding 31-point performance.
Utah has shown flashes of offensive potential, particularly during Sunday’s matchup against the Lakers, but the Jazz have struggled to maintain their intensity throughout games.
Memphis already defeated Utah 123-103 earlier this season, giving the Grizzlies additional confidence entering Monday’s rematch.
We believe Memphis will remain unbeaten with another victory over the Jazz.
Golden State Warriors vs. Denver Nuggets
Our Pick: Denver Nuggets
Monday’s final matchup features two Western Conference teams looking to establish some early momentum.
Denver is coming off a thrilling 141-135 victory over New Orleans, demonstrating its ability to produce points in bunches.
Golden State has struggled to find consistency, particularly defensively, and will face another difficult challenge against Denver’s offense.
The Nuggets have the advantage of playing at home, where Nikola Jokić’s playmaking and ability to control the pace could prove decisive.
Golden State certainly has the offensive talent to make this competitive, but Denver’s home-court advantage and offensive versatility give the Nuggets the edge.
We’re backing Denver to close Monday’s slate with a victory.
Final Thoughts
Monday presents another opportunity for us to build on our winning record.
Several unbeaten teams face challenging opponents, while others are still searching for answers after disappointing starts.
Minnesota and Oklahoma City will look to continue their impressive runs, while Miami and Milwaukee enter Monday still searching for their first victories.
The Warriors-Nuggets matchup should provide an entertaining conclusion to the evening.
Our Nine Picks:
- Washington Wizards
- Minnesota Timberwolves
- Miami Heat
- Boston Celtics
- Indiana Pacers
- Oklahoma City Thunder
- Houston Rockets
- Memphis Grizzlies
- Denver Nuggets
Current Season Record: 24-17-2
We’ll see how our selections hold up when the games tip off tonight.
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