Fadeaway World continued their hot start on daily picks this season, going 3-1 for last night’s four-game slate. This has improved our record so far this season to 14-2, with a standout 87.5% accuracy rate through the first three nights of the 2024-25 NBA season. With a mammoth 10-game slate ahead of us, let’s see if we can keep the good times rolling with another strong performance.
- Brooklyn Nets At Orlando Magic – 7 PM EST
- Philadelphia 76ers At Toronto Raptors – 7 PM EST
- Charlotte Hornets At Atlanta Hawks – 7:30 PM EST
- Detroit Pistons At Cleveland Cavaliers – 7:30 PM EST
- New York Knicks At Indiana Pacers – 7:30 PM EST
- Memphis Grizzlies At Houston Rockets – 8 PM EST
- Chicago Bulls At Milwaukee Bucks – 8 PM EST
- Golden State Warriors At Utah Jazz – 9:30 PM EST
- Phoenix Suns At Los Angeles Lakers – 10 PM EST
- New Orleans Pelicans At Portland Trail Blazers – 10 PM EST
The headline encounter of the night pits the Los Angeles Lakers against the Phoenix Suns, with both franchises opening their season with a win. The Golden State Warriors look to keep their winning ways alive against the Utah Jazz, while the New York Knicks are hoping to overcome their slow start to the season with a matchup against last year’s Playoff rivals Indiana Pacers.
As the season settles in and these teams find their groove, let’s break down how these 10 matchups might go.
Brooklyn Nets At Orlando Magic – 7 PM EST
Nets Current Record: 0-1
Magic Current Record: 1-0
Nets Injuries: Trendon Watford – Out (Hamstring), Bojan Bogdanovic – Out (Foot), Day’Ron Sharpe – Out (Hamstring)
Magic Injuries: Jonathan Isaac – Day-To-Day (Hip)
Last 5 Meetings: Nets Lead 3-2
The Brooklyn Nets are coming off a massive Cam Thomas (36 PTS) performance from their opening night loss to the Atlanta Hawks. With the team expected to be amongst the tanking teams this season, this season’s games will serve as valuable development time for Thomas and the other youngsters on this roster.
The Orlando Magic are a young team already competing amongst the best teams in the East, making a statement with their opening night win over the Miami Heat. Paolo Banchero (33 PTS, 11 REB) looks ready to continue his jump into being a superstar talent, and a matchup against the rebuilding Nets might be the perfect place for him to display his potential All-NBA talents.
Prediction: Magic def. Nets 119-98
Philadelphia 76ers At Toronto Raptors – 7 PM EST
76ers Current Record: 0-1
Raptors Current Record: 0-1
76ers Injuries: Caleb Martin – Day-To-Day (Calf), Joel Embiid – Out (Knee), Paul George – Out (Knee)
Raptors Injuries: Immanuel Quickley – Day-To-Day (Pelvis), RJ Barrett – Out (Shoulder), Bruce Brown – Out (Knee), Kelly Olynyk – Out (Back), Ja’Kobe Walter – Out (Shoulder)
Last 5 Meetings: 76ers Lead 5-0
The Philadelphia 76ers will remain without Joel Embiid and Paul George after their season-opening 109-124 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. Tyrese Maxey (25 PTS, 10-31 FG) tried his best but wasn’t able to carry the offensive load against the contending Bucks. He does stand a better chance at a big game against their next opponents.
The Toronto Raptors will be a tough team to beat but they lack talent to make a feasible Playoff push. They looked flat in their season-opening 106-136 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, and with RJ Barrett ruled out for the game against the 76ers, this might be Philly’s chance to add their first win of the season despite being shorthanded.
Prediction: 76ers def. Raptors 108-101
Charlotte Hornets At Atlanta Hawks – 7:30 PM EST
Hornets Current Record: 1-0
Hawks Current Record: 1-0
Hornets Injuries: Tidjane Salaun – Day-To-Day (Finger)
Hawks Injuries: Cody Martin – Out (Personal), Bogdan Bogdanovic – Out (Hamstring), Seth Lundy – Out (Ankle), Dominick Barlow – Out (Back), Kobe Bufkin – Out (Shoulder)
Last 5 Meetings: Hornets Lead 4-1
The Charlotte Hornets looked impressive in a comeback 110-105 win over the Houston Rockets. New head coach Charles Lee has implemented a strong defensive philosophy on the team and LaMelo Ball (34 PTS. 8 REB, 11 AST) showed to the world why he was an All-Star the last time he had a healthy season. They are legitimate dark horses for a Playoff push this season.
The Atlanta Hawks looked solid in their 130-126 opening-night win against the Nets. Trae Young (30 PTS, 12 AST) is still one of the best offensive weapons in the NBA, but the Hawks have a very new roster where they’re still identifying their strengths. Given the aggressive defensive philosophy the Hornets have imbibed, this early-season clash might spell trouble for the Hawks.
Prediction: Hornets def. Hawks 121-117
Detroit Pistons At Cleveland Cavaliers – 7:30 PM EST
Pistons Current Record: 0-1
Cavs Current Record: 1-0
Pistons Injuries: Ausar Thompson – Out (Illness), Bobi Klintman – Out (Calf)
Cavs Injuries: Max Strus – Out (Hip), Emoni Bates – Out (Knee)
Last 5 Meetings: Cavs Lead 5-0
The Detroit Pistons looked solid in their 109-115 losing effort to the Indiana Pacers in their season opener. Cade Cunningham (28 PTS, 8 AST) is looking to have taken a promising leap which could indicate the Pistons won’t be as bad as last season. But it’s still a valid question to wonder if they have enough this season to be a threat for the Play-In Tournament.
The Cleveland Cavaliers looked like an organized Playoff team in their 136-106 win over the Toronto Raptors to open the season. Donovan Mitchell (21 PTS, 3 STL) is one of the best guards in the NBA while Evan Mobley (25 PTS, 9 REB) looks ready to take a leap and make the Cavs one of the bonafide contenders in the East. Given new head coach Kenny Atkinson is trying to build his own identity, they’ll likely maximize a matchup against Detroit.
Prediction: Cavs def. Pistons 116-102
New York Knicks At Indiana Pacers – 7:30 PM EST
Knicks Current Record: 0-1
Pacers Current Record: 1-0
Knicks Injuries: Precious Achuiwa – Out (Hamstring), Mitchell Robinson – Out (Ankle), Kevin McCullar Jr. – Out (Knee)
Pacers Injuries: Isaiah Jackson – Day-To-Day (Groin), James Wiseman – Out (Achilles),
Last 5 Meetings: Pacers Lead 4-1
The New York Knicks looked completely outmatched in their 109-132 opening-night loss to the Boston Celtics. They’ll hope the quartet of Jalen Brunson (22 PTS), Karl-Anthony Towns (12 PTS), Mikal Bridges (16 PTS), and Josh Hart (12 PTS) all have much-improved performances to get their season off to a win against a formidable opponent.
The Indiana Pacers overcame the Knicks in the 2024 Conference Semi-Finals and defeated the Pistons on opening night to get their first win of the season. Even with concerns over Tyrese Haliburton’s shot (15 PTS, 1-9 3PT), the Pacers are a versatile and organized team that might make the most of the Knicks’ still-developing chemistry on both ends of the court.
Prediction: Pacers def. Knicks 125-119
Memphis Grizzlies At Houston Rockets – 8 PM EST
Grizzlies Current Record: 1-0
Rockets Current Record: 0-1
Grizzlies Injuries: Jaren Jackson Jr. – Out (Hamstring), GG Jackson – Out (Foot), Vince Williams Jr. – Out (Shin), Luke Kennard – Out (Foot), Cam Spencer – Out (Ankle)
Rockets Injuries: Dillon Brooks – Day-To-Day (Knee), Cam Whitmore – Out (Knee), Steven Adams – Out (Calf)
Last 5 Meetings: Rockets Lead 3-2
The Memphis Grizzlies look ready to leap to contender status with Ja Morant back in the lineup, leading to a 126-124 win over the Utah Jazz in their season opener. Even without Jaren Jackson Jr., the Grizzlies have a deep rotation of players developed over last year’s injury-riddled season along with proven performers from last season.
The Houston Rockets let a win slip from their hands against the Charlotte Hornets for their season opener and will be motivated to right that wrong against the Grizzlies. This is the possibility we’re going for, as the Rockets have the perimeter defenders to slow down the Grizz while the Grizz won’t have an answer for Alperen Sengun who’s coming off a dominant display against the Hornets (25 PTS, 18 REB, 5 AST, 4 STL).
Prediction: Grizzlies def. Rockets 111-105
Chicago Bulls At Milwaukee Bucks – 8 PM EST
Bulls Current Record: 0-1
Bucks Current Record: 1-0
Bulls Injuries: Lonzo Ball – Out (Knee)
Bucks Injuries: Giannis Antetokounmpo – Day-To-Day (Knee), Brook Lopez – Day-To-Day (Quad), Khris Middleton – Out (Ankle)
Last 5 Meetings: Bucks Lead 4-1
The Chicago Bulls didn’t look very competitive in their 111-123 season-opening loss to the New Orleans Pelicans, despite a strong showing from Zach LaVine (27 PTS). There are many inherent flaws to this half-baked roster which fans are hoping are addressed through trades over the season. Nonetheless, they’ll be looking to fight for wins as hard as they can.
The Milwaukee Bucks looked dominant in their win over the shorthanded Philadelphia 76ers, with this version of the Bulls presenting a similar challenge. If Damian Lillard (30 PTS, 9 REB, 6 AST) and Giannis Antetokounmpo (25 PTS, 14 REB, 7 AST) can repeat their performances from that night, the Bucks should be penciled in as easy winners for this contest.
Prediction: Bucks def. Bulls 131-112
Golden State Warriors At Utah Jazz – 9:30 PM EST
Warriors Current Record: 1-0
Jazz Current Record: 0-1
Warriors Injuries: Stephen Curry – Day-To-Day (Hip), Draymond Green – Day-To-Day (Knee), De’Anthony Melton – Day-To-Day (Chest)
Jazz Injuries: Jonny Juzang – Out (Thumb), Isaiah Collier – Out (Hamstring)
Last 5 Meetings: Warriors Lead 5-0
The Golden State Warriors established themselves as the league’s most potent offense in their 140-104 win over the Portland Trail Blazers. Stephen Curry (17 PTS, 9 REB, 10 AST) had a slow night but the rotation stepped up by nailing timely shots and playing aggressive defense, a trend coach Steve Kerr hopes his 12-man rotation will replicate in their next game.
Despite Lauri Markkanen‘s (35 PTS, 9 REB) brilliance, the Utah Jazz fell to a 124-126 loss to open their season against the Memphis Grizzlies. They looked competitive against the Grizzlies but they don’t have the defensive setup required to combat the Warriors after how they’ve played throughout preseason and opening night. This should be a straightforward win for Golden State if their shots continue falling at the rate they have.
Prediction: Warriors def. Jazz 127-113
Phoenix Suns At Los Angeles Lakers – 10 PM EST
Suns Current Record: 1-0
Lakers Current Record: 1-0
Suns Injuries: Grayson Allen – Day-To-Day (Achilles), Bradley Beal – Day-To-Day (Shoulder), De’Anthony Melton – Out (Hamstring)
Lakers Injuries: Jalen Hood-Schifino – Day-To-Day (Illness), Jarred Vanderbilt – Out (Foot), Christian Wood – Out (Knee), Christian Koloko – Out (Fitness)
Last 5 Meetings: Lakers Lead 3-2
The Phoenix Suns had to grind out a 116-113 OT win over the Los Angeles Clippers in their season-opener, with many fans pleased to see them overcome a double-digit deficit in the fourth quarter to pull the win out. Kevin Durant (25 PTS) looks to be the team’s primary scoring option while Devin Booker (15 PTS) and Bradley Beal (24 PTS) have improved their contributions to the team outside just scoring.
The Los Angeles Lakers won their first opening night matchup in eight seasons with a 110-103 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. JJ Redick’s offensive philosophy has settled in well with the Lakers, though the team’s inability to convert well-generated shots is a problem. Through their size, athleticism, and active defense, I think Anthony Davis (36 PTS, 16 REB) and LeBron James (16 PTS) will be too much for the Suns to stop, as the Lakers pick up a second straight win to open the season.
Prediction: Lakers def. Suns 109-103
New Orleans Pelicans At Portland Trail Blazers – 10 PM EST
Pelicans Current Record: 1-0
Blazers Current Record: 0-1
Pelicans Injuries: Trey Murphy III – Out (Hamstring), Dejounte Murray – Out (Hand)
Blazers Injuries: Shaedon Sharpe – Out (Shoulder), Robert Williams III – Out (Hamstring), Matisse Thybulle – Out (Knee)
Last 5 Meetings: Pelicans Lead 5-0
The New Orleans Pelicans pulled off a comfortable 123-111 win over the Chicago Bulls to open their season but lost Dejounte Murray to a hand fracture as well. But the expected return of Zion Williamson and a continuation of Brandon Ingram’s dominant season-opener performance could be the recipe for success against a less-heralded team.
The Portland Trail Blazers were no match for the Golden State Warriors in their 104-140 loss to the franchise, showing how far the Blazers have to go before being competitive in the West. Despite encouraging talents such as Scoot Henderson and Deni Avdija, it’s unlikely they can pull off a win against the Pelicans who still have a highly-talented roster despite injuries.
Prediction: Pelicans def. Blazers 115-106
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