The whistle blows on the 2025-26 NBA season on October 21, and the Association isn't holding back on Opening Night, with plenty of compelling pairings.
The NBA also puts its best foot forward on Christmas Day and MLK Day each year, loading the holidays with marquee matchups. Beyond those grandstand slates, there are a ton of must-watch, must-wager games on the calendar.
I go through the first three months of the NBA schedule and circle the most interesting encounters for those looking to make NBA picks.
Spurs vs 
Mavericks — October 22
The second night of the season has a huge contest in the West, with No. 1 overall picks dueling in Dallas.
Cooper Flagg makes his official Mavericks debut against Spurs third-year star Victor Wembanyama, giving us a glimpse into the future of the NBA.
Dallas is a slight home favorite in this opener, with Kyrie Irving sidelined for a while after tearing his ACL last March. However, the Mavs still have a solid roster around Flagg, with veteran Anthony Davis, Klay Thompson, and D'Angelo Russell ready to roll.
Thunder vs 
Pacers — Oct. 23
This NBA Finals rematch loses a little luster with Tyrese Haliburton out of commission after his heartbreaking torn Achilles in Game 7.
This will be the second game for the reigning NBA champs, with OKC hosting Houston on Opening Night.
The Thunder serve as the Pacers’ first opponent. Don’t be surprised if this deep Indiana team leaves it all on the floor, motivated by their fallen leader and last spring’s second-place finish.
Magic vs 
Pistons — Oct. 29
These up-and-coming Eastern Conference contenders each took a first-round exit in last year’s postseason. This late-October encounter holds weight, considering there’s a vacuum in the East created by injuries to Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton.
Orlando will be in the middle of a three-game road trip for this matchup in Motown, while Detroit is coming off a tough stretch of games, having faced Houston, Boston, and Cleveland in the three games prior.
The Magic won two of three meetings with the Pistons last season, going 2-1 ATS in those contests.
Celtics vs 76ers — Oct. 31
The in-season NBA Cup tournament tips off on Halloween, with the Celtics visiting the Sixers for a Friday night fight.
Boston will be without Tatum for the foreseeable future, leaning on Jaylen Brown to carry the C’s. Philadelphia may have Paul George back on the court by October 31, as he was just cleared for action following offseason knee surgery.
The Celtics and 76ers are gatekeepers in the East, and this game will hint at which club can still hang with the rising teams in the conference.
Mavericks vs Pistons — November 1
This is the first international game of the season, sending the Mavericks and Pistons to play in Mexico City.
If you thought climbing the mountain in Denver was daunting, just wait until you get 7,400 feet above sea level in Azcapotzalco. This will be just the sixth regular-season game for these teams, so players are still working their way into “game shape” in the thin air.
Since 2014, NBA games played in Mexico City have produced a 6-7 Over/Under record.
Rockets vs Spurs — Nov. 7
This Lone Star State showdown has an added edge this season, with Kevin Durant suiting up for the Rockets.
This early November battle is part of the in-season tournament and will be Houston’s fifth road game in the opening eight outings of the 2025-26 slate.
Durant has reminded Wembanyama just who the real “Slim Reaper” is in their limited matchups. He’s dropped totals of 25, 26, and 28 points in their first three meetings while adding 13 points in a limited 16 minutes in their most recent head-to-head.
Clippers vs 
Lakers — Nov. 25
The “Battle for Los Angeles” begins with this in-season tournament tilt. Hopefully, by this time, LeBron James will be back on the court after dealing with sciatica to start the season.
The Clippers have high hopes after adding some veteran depth and scoring pop to their lineup, including free agent signing Bradley Beal.
This return to their old haunt will be the final game of a seven-stop road trip that takes the Clips out East and back again while cramming those seven games into 11 days.
Timberwolves vs Thunder — Nov. 27
A rematch of the Western Conference finals is a perfect excuse to stay in, cuddle up, and get some wagers down the day before Thanksgiving.
Oklahoma City smoked Minnesota in that semifinal series, taking three of those four wins by 15, 26, and 30 points. The Thunder will have a rest edge with two full days off before taking on the T-Wolves, who wrap a three-game road trip in OKC.
Not only is there bad blood boiling between the best in the West, but this is also an NBA Cup contest.
Mavericks vs Lakers — Nov. 28
The Luka Doncic deal will forever connect these two franchises, making their meetings must-see TV.
The Lakers get a bit of a break over Thanksgiving after hosting the Clippers before this Black Friday feature. The Mavericks do a L.A. double-tap, facing the Lakers on Friday and the Clippers on Saturday.
There’s no shortage of storylines, even with Kyrie not playing. Cooper Flagg vs. LeBron. Anthony Davis’ return, and, of course, Luka lighting up his former club. He dropped 45 points in his most recent “revenge game” vs. Dallas.
Knicks vs Pacers — December 18
While Haliburton won’t be on the court for this Eastern Conference finals rematch, you can be sure that it won’t stop the Pacers’ star from talking smack the entire game.
New York hasn’t forgotten Haliburton’s “choke” celebration from Game 1 of that semifinal set and is aiming to jump to the top of the conference with Indiana and Boston missing their top superstars this season.
Both sides will be rested and ready, as this is the first game back after an extended break for the NBA Cup semis and finals (December 9-16).
