NBA Preseason Weekly Preview 1

Last Updated on September 30, 2025 2:24 pm by Erwin Noguera

The NBA regular season tips off on October 21, but before that, the best basketball league in the world will treat fans to preseason games from every franchise—a chance for them to get a sense of what to expect from their teams.

The preseason opener will feature the New York Knicks against the Philadelphia 76ers, a matchup that could very well be a playoff clash.

There are also other intriguing games, such as the Los Angeles Lakers facing the Phoenix Suns, or the reigning champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder, taking on the Charlotte Hornets.

However, the showdown drawing the most attention will be between the Denver Nuggets and the Minnesota Timberwolves, two elite teams from the Western Conference.

At Gambyl Exchange, you can explore all the predictions for the NBA Preseason 2025, the final bets for this Matchday, and the odds for each match.

NBA Preseason Week 1: New York Knicks vs. Philadelphia 76ers

With the injuries suffered by the Indiana Pacers and Boston Celtics, the New York Knicks are expected to be the team that challenges the Cleveland Cavaliers for the top spot in the East during the regular season. They have a spectacular point guard in Jalen Brunson (26.0 points and 7.3 assists) and strong role players such as Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, and Josh Hart. Now with Mike Brown as head coach, they are counting on Guerschon Yabusele and Jordan Clarkson to provide the depth needed while they wait for more pieces to develop.

The Philadelphia 76ers, meanwhile, are a question mark. On paper, they have the talent for a great season, especially with Joel Embiid, but injuries to key players and a lack of chemistry so far cast doubt on how high this team’s ceiling really is. If Embiid stays healthy, they are undoubtedly a playoff team, but it’s uncertain whether he can deliver another MVP-caliber year. Paul George will need to live up to expectations, and Tyrese Maxey should continue to grow.

Knicks vs 76ers Betting Pick: Knicks

NBA Preseason Week 1: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Phoenix Suns

The Los Angeles Lakers finally landed the center they badly needed in DeAndre Ayton, a player who, when focused, can make a huge difference on the boards. The problem is that he doesn’t always try to show his best version. The franchise also added veteran Marcus Smart to strengthen its defense, kept JJ Redick as head coach, and is hoping that what could be LeBron James’ final year with the team ends with a championship ring. Still, it’s important to note that this is now Luka Doncic’s team.

For the Phoenix Suns, everything that could go wrong in past seasons did go wrong. This is a year of renewal, with Devin Booker once again being the cornerstone of it all. The franchise is hoping that Jalen Green, who arrived from Houston, finally has his breakout season, and that Mark Williams stays healthy to make an impact in the paint.

Lakers vs. Suns Betting Pick: Lakers

NBA Preseason Week 1: Denver Nuggets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves

The Denver Nuggets have Nikola Jokic, and that alone makes them contenders to win the NBA title. However, this year they made some roster changes, such as the addition of Cam Johnson, an excellent three-point shooter who comes in to fill the void left by Michael Porter. The future of this team will depend heavily on the health and consistency of Jamal Murray, whose performance has declined year after year.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker is no longer with Minnesota, and that’s a painful loss, especially given his defensive contributions. It’s not clear whether this team is better than last year, but as long as they have Anthony Edwards on the roster, they are a threat. This season, they’ll also have Rob Dillingham available, after he missed last year due to injury.

Nuggets vs. Timberwolves Betting Pick: Nuggets

NBA Preseason Week 1: Charlotte Hornets vs Oklahoma City Thunder

Everything points to another disastrous year for the Charlotte Hornets, despite having LaMelo Ball, one of the most entertaining players in the NBA. The hope for this team is that Brandon Miller makes the definitive leap and that Tidjane Salaun shows why he was the sixth pick in the 2024 draft.

The Oklahoma City Thunder are the reigning NBA champions, and that alone brings added pressure. They have the league’s current MVP in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and managed to secure long-term deals with Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren. Everything seems calm and stable for this franchise, but the real test will be how they handle the pressure of being the league’s defending champions.

Hornets vs. Thunder Betting Pick: Thunder