At last, the 2025-26 NBA season gets underway this Wednesday with a cracking double-header. First up it’s a matchup that pits Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets against the defending champion OKC Thunder. Then, we’ll see Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors head to LA to take on Luka Doncic and the Lakers. We preview both games below and bring you our best bets!
Also, there are plenty of NBA Opening Night specials at Dabble to get involved in, simply click here or the Dabble banner below to get involved! These include:
- Any Player to Record a Triple Double on Opening Night — $3 | Max Bet $25
- Kevin Durant & Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to Combine for 65+ Points — $3.50 | Max Bet $25
- Either Luka Doncic or Stephen Curry to Have 55+ Pts-Rebs-Asts — $2.90 | Max Bet $25
NBA Betting Tips: Wednesday, October 22nd 2025
Houston Rockets at OKC Thunder (10:30am AEDT)
The NBA season tips off with a high-stakes affair as the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder host the revamped Houston Rockets on "Ring Night." The Paycom Center will be electric as the Thunder raise their first banner, aiming to start their title defence strong with their core intact and maturing. Reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, alongside defensive anchor Chet Holmgren, leads a unit known for its elite defence and hyper-efficient offence.
The Rockets, meanwhile, arrive with massive off-season additions, headlined by the arrival of superstar Kevin Durant. This blockbuster move injects instant legitimacy and a proven, high-volume scorer into a talented young roster featuring Alperen Şengün. This sets up a thrilling scoring duel between Durant and SGA, and adds a significant historical dimension to this opening night fixture, with Durant watching his former franchise celebrate the championship he sought to deliver. While the Rockets' sheer talent is undeniable, questions remain about their cohesion early in the season, particularly with integrating a player of Durant's calibre.
For Oklahoma City, the challenge is managing the emotional high of the ring ceremony while maintaining focus against a motivated opponent. They must leverage their superior team chemistry and defensive pressure to disrupt Houston's new-look offence. The Rockets will look to dominate the rebounding battle and force a half-court contest where Durant's isolation scoring can shine. However, the energy of the home crowd and the discipline of the Thunder's two-way attack often prove overwhelming in such high-profile curtain-raisers.
The combination of the ring ceremony's emotional lift and the proven continuity of the Thunder's system gives the home team a significant edge against a Rockets squad still learning to execute as a unit. Expect a competitive start, but the Thunder's championship pedigree and superior fourth-quarter execution will allow them to pull away comfortably. The Thunder will celebrate their title and successfully cover the -6.5 spread, winning by a margin that demonstrates their status as title favourites.
Prop Bet: Alperen Sengun Over 6.5 Assists ($2.10)
Thunder –6.5
$1.85 (1 Unit)
Golden State Warriors at Los Angeles Lakers (1:00pm AEDT)
The new NBA opening night continues with a bang as the Los Angeles Lakers host the Golden State Warriors in a star-studded rivalry match-up. However, the anticipated renewal of the LeBron James vs. Stephen Curry duel will have to wait, as LeBron is sidelined with a painful sciatica injury on his right side. This marks the first time in his long career he will miss an opening night.
This absence puts the spotlight squarely on Luka Doncic, who begins his first full season in Los Angeles carrying a heavy offensive load. Dončić has generated significant buzz with his dramatic physical transformation this summer, appearing noticeably fitter and sharper. His improved conditioning suggests a greater ability to sustain his dominant playmaking over a full 48 minutes, a key factor given the responsibility placed on him.
The Lakers, under new head coach JJ Redick, will test their re-tooled line-up against a Warriors squad looking to reassert their dominance. Golden State relies on the enduring brilliance of Stephen Curry, who at 37, leads an aging but still formidable core bolstered by the addition of Jimmy Butler's defensive intensity.
Expect a high-paced affair where Golden State's collective experience and Curry's shooting prowess will challenge a Lakers team fighting to prove they can win without their biggest star on opening night. Given the new team dynamics, the home-court advantage, and Doncic’s revitalised fitness, the Lakers are strong value to set an immediate positive tone for their campaign.
Prop Bet: Luka Doncic Over 31.5 Points ($1.88)
Lakers to Win
$2.15 (1 Unit)
