The NBA season is barely a week old, but Tuesday’s nine-game slate already offers some intriguing betting decisions.
Houston have started 3-0 and now get another crack at Atlanta, this time on their home floor, while Golden State travel to Denver still searching for their first win. In Charlotte, two 2-1 teams meet after contrasting performances that have exposed as many questions as answers.
We’re focusing on three games where recent form, player availability and the betting line give us something to work with. There’s a mix of an outright underdog and two favourites against the spread, with stakes kept measured this early in the season. Here are our NBA tips for Tuesday, 27 October (AEDT).
NBA Betting Tips: Tuesday, October 27th 2026
| Match |
Best Bet |
Odds |
| Wizards at Hornets |
Washington Wizards to Win |
$2.03 (1 Unit) |
| Hawks at Rockets |
Houston Rockets -5.5 |
$1.90 (1.5 Units) |
| Warriors at Nuggets |
Denver Nuggets -7.5 |
$1.88 (1 Unit) |
Washington Wizards at Charlotte Hornets
Washington Wizards at Charlotte Hornets (10:00am AEDT)
Washington head to Charlotte after beating Chicago 124-120, with a 40-20 third quarter setting up their second win of the season. Trae Young finished with 25 points, nine assists and just two turnovers, while Kyshawn George added 22 points and nine rebounds. There was useful scoring support around Young, although allowing a 21-point lead to shrink to three in the final minute left the Wizards with work to do defensively.
Charlotte also enter at 2-1, but their two home performances have been poles apart. A 128-81 defeat to Atlanta was followed by a 115-110 win over Miami, with Brandon Miller improving from six points on 2-of-14 shooting to 34 points. The Hornets surrendered a 23-point advantage against the Heat before recovering, so Washington are not the only team coming into this matchup with questions about protecting a lead.
The selection comes down to Washington’s scoring options against a Charlotte side still missing Kon Knueppel and Coby White. Young and Anthony Davis are not listed on the injury report, while George’s contribution against Chicago gives the visitors another scoring threat. That is the case for backing Washington to win outright, without needing them to cover a margin. Their defensive lapses and Charlotte’s home advantage make this a one-unit selection.
Washington Wizards to Win
$2.03 (1 Unit)
Atlanta Hawks at Houston Rockets
Atlanta Hawks at Houston Rockets (11:30am AEDT)
Houston’s 121-114 win in Atlanta took them to 3-0, with seven players scoring in double figures. Kevin Durant led with 22 points, while Alperen Sengun recorded 17 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists. The Rockets led by 20 during the fourth quarter, but Atlanta reduced the deficit to five before Houston closed out the game.
Houston made 14 of 35 three-pointers against Atlanta’s 13 of 49 and converted 21 of 23 free throws compared with the Hawks’ 15 of 21. Atlanta collected more offensive rebounds, while Jalen Johnson finished with 26 points and 16 assists. Those numbers matter for the rematch: Houston did not control every part of the game, and a better shooting night from the Hawks would put more pressure on the favourites.
The reason for taking Houston -5.5 is the change in circumstances after a seven-point away win. The Rockets now have home court, and Fred VanVleet is expected back after sitting out the first meeting. Both teams have had a day off after playing that game on the second night of a back-to-back. Houston’s seven double-figure scorers showed they could win without relying on one player, and adding VanVleet strengthens the case for a six-point winning margin. Atlanta’s shooting provides the main risk, keeping the stake at 1.5 units.
Houston Rockets -5.5
$1.90 (1.5 Units)
Golden State Warriors at Denver Nuggets
Golden State Warriors at Denver Nuggets (1:00pm AEDT)
Denver needed overtime to beat New Orleans 141-135 after losing their opener 96-84 in Oklahoma City. The Nuggets trailed 108-89 after three quarters before winning the fourth 37-18. Jamal Murray scored 42 points with eight three-pointers, while Nikola Jokic added 35 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists. Their combined 77 points rescued Denver, but conceding 108 through three quarters makes it difficult to treat that result as a convincing turnaround.
Golden State are 0-3 and expect Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Brandin Podziemski back after all three sat out against Phoenix. Their return helps, although all three played in the 111-108 loss to Memphis, when the Warriors surrendered a 12-point lead inside the final four minutes. Green and Podziemski combined for nine turnovers in that game. Jimmy Butler and Kristaps Porzingis remain out, while Denver’s Cameron Johnson is doubtful with an ankle injury.
Denver -7.5 is a cautious selection based on Jokic and Murray’s scoring threat at home, Golden State’s continued absences and the late-game mistakes that cost the Warriors against Memphis. There are clear reasons to limit the stake: Curry’s expected return strengthens the visitors, Johnson’s doubtful status hurts Denver, and the Nuggets have yet to produce a complete performance. The bet needs an eight-point win, so this stays at one unit rather than treating Golden State’s winless start as enough reason for a bigger stake.
Denver Nuggets -7.5
$1.88 (1 Unit)
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