LeBron James of the Philadelphia 76ers is in the locker room during NBA media day at the Philadelphia 76ers Training Complex in Camden, N.J., on Sept. 28, 2026. (NBAE via Getty Images)
The NBA tips off today at 3:00 p.m. ET for another great year of action. Will we see the Knicks repeat as champions, or will we see yet another new winner? Hard Rock Bet is offering new users a chance to bet $5 and earn No Sweat Bets. If those bets lose, you’ll be given up to $500 in bonus bets.
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There are three NBA games on today’s schedule, and all six teams have slightly different goals. Let’s take a look at each as they start today’s slate:
Celtics vs Pistons | Tuesday, Oct 20, 2026 at 3:00 pm ET | Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, MI | NBC/Peacock
Boston Celtics — Prove they did the right thing by trading away Jaylen Brown — It isn’t often that you see a young superstar sent away, especially after he just led your team to the playoffs. However, it started becoming clear that Boston needed to split up Brown and Jayson Tatum. This year will be about establishing Tatum again as the key to their team.
Detroit Pistons — Prove last year wasn’t a fluke — the Pistons were the best team in the East by record last season. This is just a few years removed from being one of the worst teams in the league. Cade Cunningham and company need to find a way to earn another home-court advantage, at least in the first round of the postseason.
76ers vs Knicks | Tuesday, Oct 20, 2026 at 7:00 pm ET | Madison Square Garden, New York, NY | NBC/Peacock
Philadelphia 76ers — Championship or bust — Expectations are high for the city of brotherly love. That’s what happens when you have Jaylen Brown and LeBron James come into town. If they fall short, this season will be looked at as a failure, fair or not.
New York Knicks — Repeat — Winning back-to-back championships has been rarer in the NBA than in any other sport in the past decade. The Knicks have the same team they won with last year; can they make the right moves and get to the Finals once again? If they fall short, some fans will be frustrated, but others will just accept last year’s victory and be happy.
Thunder vs Spurs | Tuesday, Oct 20, 2026 at 9:30 pm ET | Frost Bank Center, San Antonio, TX | NBC/Peacock
Oklahoma City Thunder — Prove they know how to stop Victor Wembanyama — The Thunder are two years removed from a championship. In order to get to the Finals again, they need to find a way to get past Wembanyama. The Spurs are the only true threat in both age and outlook to beat the Thunder in the West.
San Antonio Spurs — Win the championship — If the Spurs don’t make it to the Finals this year, it won’t be a complete failure. Wembanyama and company made it last year, but couldn’t finish the deal. Losses in back-to-back seasons will only open the door to questions. They have to seal the deal.
