All five major North American professional sports leagues are in action today, and our Sports Equinox best bets bring together expert picks for the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and WNBA for Monday, Oct. 26.
Let's dive in for today's free picks, including moneyline selections, player props, and spread picks from our betting analysts. Be sure to also check out our Sports Equinox moneyline picks.
Sports Equinox 2026 best bets
For help understanding prediction market probabilities, see our odds calculator.
| Matchup | Pick | Trade At |
|---|---|---|
 Cowboys Eagles |
Lemon o16.5 long rec (48%) |
 |
 Timberwolves Cavaliers |
+3.5 (52%) |
 |
 Wizards Hornets |
+1.5 (48%) |
|
 Bulls Celtics |
+14.5 (51%) |
|
 Mavericks Heat |
-8.5 (51%) |
|
 Suns Thunder |
16% |
|
 Pacers Bucks |
37% |
|
 Hawks Rockets |
67% |
|
 Grizzlies Jazz |
53% |
|
 Warriors Nuggets |
72% |
|
 Brewers Rays |
Peralta o3.5 hits (59%) |
|
 Dream Valkyries |
53% |
|
 Kings Rangers |
Perreault o1.5 SOG (56%) |
 |
 Maple Leafs Flames |
Nylander o0.5 assists (58%) |
|
 Red Wings Oilers |
Hyman o0.5 points (60%) |
|
Sports Equinox 2026 predictions: NFL
Cowboys vs. Eagles: Makai Lemon Over 16.5 yards longest reception
Covers senior betting analyst Jason Logan sees an opportunity for Philadelphia's rookie receiver to make a big play against Dallas.
“The Philadelphia Eagles are down their top two receivers, which means Makai Lemon leaps up the depth chart. The shifty rookie has been given a jump in targets, even with the team's quarterback issues, and he’s been especially good at making tacklers miss. The Dallas Cowboys’ secondary is soft, giving up a ton of explosive plays for 20+ yards. Their defense ranks near the bottom of the NFL in missed tackles, too. He's well-positioned to break free for at least one home run of 17+ yards on the prime-time stage.”
Read our full Cowboys vs. Eagles predictions and Cowboys vs. Eagles prop picks.
Sports Equinox 2026 predictions: NBA
Timberwolves vs. Cavaliers: Timberwolves +3.5
Covers betting analyst Quinn Allen likes Minnesota to stay within the number after its strong start to the season.
“The Minnesota Timberwolves are a perfect 3-0, and Anthony Edwards is averaging 28.7 points per game. They've looked like a complete team on both ends of the floor, and have blown out every opponent. The Cleveland Cavaliers are 1-1 and could barely beat the Nets. Minny is a great ATS pick here.”
Read the full NBA against-the-spread picks.
Wizards vs. Hornets: Wizards +1.5
Allen is also backing Washington to take advantage of Charlotte's absences.
“I like how the Washington Wizards are playing. Trae Young and Anthony Davis have both been impressive, and the Charlotte Hornets are still missing a few key players. I'll take the Wizards with the points. They will overwhelm Charlotte inside.”
Bulls vs. Celtics: Bulls +14.5
Allen sees value in taking Chicago with a sizable cushion, too.
“The Boston Celtics should have no issues beating a Chicago Bulls team that allows nearly 130 points per night, but the spread is too large for me. The C's are only 1-1, and they've averaged just 110 ppg so far. The Bulls can keep it within 15 points.”
Mavericks vs. Heat: Heat -8.5
Covers betting analyst Chris Walder expects Miami to cover at home against a Dallas team dealing with key injuries.
“With great expectations comes serious pressure. Barely a week into the season, the Miami Heat are still chasing their first win, but this is an opportunity to remind everyone why expectations were so high in the first place. Miami had only two losing streaks of four games or more in 2025-26, with the first not arriving until Dec. 9. The Heat currently rank 27th in both offensive efficiency (105.1 points per 100 possessions) and defensive efficiency (121.4 points allowed per 100 possessions).”
Read the full Mavericks vs. Heat prediction.
Suns vs. Thunder: Suns moneyline
Analyst Jon Metler sees potential value in the Phoenix Suns as the Oklahoma City Thunder navigate a back-to-back.
“This is a tough one to get behind, but there's a chance to find a decent-sized edge if you can grab the Suns at 16%. I have Phoenix priced as an 18% underdog against Oklahoma City, assuming both teams have their starting lineups available. The Thunder are playing the second night of a back-to-back, and let's face it, their goal is to win the NBA championship, not to push their starters in an October game. Load management is a possibility, which would make that 16% price increasingly appealing. We'll need Devin Booker to carry over his hot shooting from Saturday, when he dropped 43 points, into Monday's matchup in Oklahoma City.”
Read the full NBA predictions and moneyline picks.
Pacers vs. Bucks: Bucks moneyline
Metler is also monitoring the Indiana Pacers' backcourt availability before backing the Milwaukee Bucks.
“The Indiana Pacers are playing the second night of a back-to-back, raising questions about Tyrese Haliburton’s availability and potential minutes against the Bucks. With the season just underway and Haliburton returning from an Achilles injury that sidelined him all of last season, his workload is worth monitoring. I see a slight edge on Milwaukee at a 37% win probability if Haliburton plays, but that advantage grows significantly if he sits. T.J. McConnell is also questionable, further weakening Indiana’s backcourt. Without either guard available, the Pacers would lose two key offensive engines, magnifying Haliburton’s potential absence in my projections.”
Hawks vs. Rockets: Rockets moneyline
Metler expects the Houston Rockets' key players to remain a difficult matchup for the Atlanta Hawks.
“This one is close when comparing my projections to the market price, as I make the Rockets 68% favorites. There's a slight edge on Houston at 67%, but it's minimal. I'd monitor the market and look to grab 65% or 66% if available to increase that edge. The Hawks and Rockets just faced off Saturday, with Houston earning a road win on the second night of a back-to-back despite missing Fred VanVleet and Marcus Smart. Alperen Sengun and Kevin Durant were both efficient in the first meeting, and I expect more of the same in the rematch. Their player archetypes present difficult matchups for Atlanta's defense, and having their lead guards back only strengthens Houston's position.”
Grizzlies vs. Jazz: Jazz moneyline
Metler sees a slight edge on the Utah Jazz while the Memphis Grizzlies' availability remains a question.
“Both the Memphis Grizzlies and Utah Jazz are playing the second night of a back-to-back on Monday, raising questions about which players will be available for both teams. Zach Edey is sitting out Sunday, so I'd expect him to return. My bigger concern is Ty Jerome potentially being load-managed after missing most of last season with an injury. Given Memphis' limited expectations this season, his workload is worth monitoring. Jerome is the Grizzlies' offensive engine, and his absence would have a much bigger impact on their win probability than the market might suggest. Assuming both starting lineups play, I see a slight edge on Utah at 53%, with the potential for a much bigger advantage depending on Memphis' injury report.”
Warriors vs. Nuggets: Nuggets moneyline
Covers betting analyst Jon Metler expects the Denver Nuggets to exploit the Golden State Warriors' roster concerns.
“I'm being dead serious: who's guarding Nikola Jokic in this matchup? The 6-foot-7 Draymond Green, a 40-year-old Al Horford, or rookie Yaxel Lendeborg? The Warriors have some serious roster concerns to start the season. The good news is Stephen Curry should be available after being load-managed Saturday. The bad news? Christian Braun and Denver's other defenders can blitz Curry without worrying about secondary creation from his supporting cast. That helps offset a Nuggets roster built around offense rather than defense, which is why I'm backing Denver at 72%.”
Sports Equinox 2026 predictions: MLB
Brewers vs. Rays: Freddy Peralta Over 3.5 hits allowed
Covers contributor Colby Marchio is backing Milwaukee's offense to generate enough contact against Tampa Bay starter Freddy Peralta.
“Don't be afraid of the juice, kids! The Milwaukee Brewers have posted a 113 wRC+, .757 OPS, 44% hard-hit rate, and 78.5% contact rate on the road this postseason. Peralta may be on fire right now, but he still owns a 5.27 xFIP, while opposing hitters own a 10.2% barrel rate, .270 xBA, and .487 xSLG against him. The Brewers are humming, and I think asking for four hits at that price is worth it.”
Read our full Brewers vs. Rays predictions and World Series Game 3 expert picks.
Sports Equinox 2026 predictions: WNBA
Dream vs. Valkyries: Under 151.5
Zak Hanshew expects the Under to hit in Game 5 of the WNBA Finals.
“Despite Game 3’s 168-point scoring binge, the series has averaged 143.3 points per game, well below this 151.5-point line. Each team has held the other to sub-38% shooting, while forcing at least 13.5 turnovers. The Atlanta Dream own a smothering 87.4 defensive rating, and the Golden State Valkyries sit at an impressive 98.4.
WNBA Finals games have slowed to a grind, with the Dream and Valkyries averaging just 77.4 possessions per game.Fewer possessions, contested looks, and inefficient shooting will lead to another low-scoring game.”
Read our full Dream vs. Valkyries predictions.
Sports Equinox 2026 predictions: NHL
Kings vs. Rangers: Gabe Perreault Over 1.5 shots
Todd Cordell is targeting a Rangers winger and his increased shot volume.
“Perreault for two or more shots is my top pick for this game, and I’d back him to 56%. The Rangers made a fun little adjustment to the top line a while ago, dropping Pavel Dorofeyev and moving Lafreniere to RW1. That has greatly benefited Perreault’s volume. He generated 4.05 shots on goal per 60 minutes of 5-on-5 play with Dorofeyev holding the top slot on the right wing. With Lafreniere? His output has soared to 10.06 SOG per 60, much closer to players with 2.5 shot totals.”
Read our full Kings vs. Rangers predictions.
Maple Leafs vs. Flames: William Nylander Over 0.5 assists
Cordell also likes Williams Nylander's chances to create offense against a Calgary team that allows plenty of chances.
“William Nylander is a target for an assist to 58%. We’ll start with the matchup, which is about as good as it gets. The Calgary Flames have played at the league’s highest pace and sit 24th in expected goals allowed across all situations. That creates a perfect environment for Nylander and Toronto’s high-flying offense to flourish. Nylander recorded a helper in 70% of his games against Bottom-12 defenses last season, and has five through five such games this year. He was also born in Calgary and has 12 assists over his last eight head-to-head meetings.”
Read our full Maple Leafs vs. Flames predictions.
Red Wings vs. Oilers: Zach Hyman Over 0.5 points
Cordell expects Zach Hyman to benefit from his power-play role and a favorable matchup against the Detroit Red Wings.
“I’d back Zach Hyman for a point all the way to 60%. The veteran winger has gotten a full dose of minutes since returning to the lineup, playing 19+ in four of five games. He has skated on the second line alongside Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and also taken a spot on the No. 1 power play. That gives him exposure to Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Evan Bouchard — arguably the best trio of offensive players in the league. Detroit plays at a higher pace than Edmonton at 5-on-5, and they also sit 28th in goals against per 60 minutes while killing penalties.”
Read our full Red Wings vs. Oilers predictions.
What is the Sports Equinox?
The Sports Equinox is a term used to signify when all the major North American professional sports leagues are in action on the same day. On October 26, 2026, the NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, and WNBA are all active.
- MLB: World Series, Game 3 (8 p.m. ET, FOX)
- NFL: Monday Night Football (8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN)
- WNBA: Finals, Game 5 (8 p.m. ET, USA Network)
- NBA: Regular season (nine games)
- NHL: Regular season (three games)
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
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