A week into the NBA season and the NBA Cup is already underway, with group play beginning for 20 teams this Friday night.
In the primetime slot, we get a rematch of last week's season opener between the defending NBA Champion New York Knicks, and the most must-see team in basketball this year in the Philadelphia 76ers.
Later tonight, a matchup between two struggling teams takes center stage in a Western Conference Group A matchup, as the Denver Nuggets and Phoenix Suns look to avoid prolonging their respective slow starts to the season.
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First Pick: New York Knicks -2 over the Philadelphia 76ers
Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Oct 20, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) takes a shot against Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden.
Rundown: The Knicks have found their footing after an 0-3 start, winning their last two games and scoring 133 points against Chicago on Wednesday. Brunson erupted for 38 in that win, while Towns added 19 points and 13 rebounds.
The 76ers already beat the Knicks once this season, but needed a late push to get past Indiana on Wednesday, which was without Tyrese Haliburton. Philadelphia’s 4-1 start hasn’t translated into much value against the number; it has covered just twice in five games.
New York has a chance to respond after the first meeting, and I’ll take the Knicks to win by more than a bucket.
Second Pick: Denver Nuggets -4 over the Phoenix Suns
Rundown: Denver is still trying to get above .500, but Wednesday’s win over New Orleans offered a reminder of what this team can do when Nikola Jokic is rolling. He posted a 21-point triple-double as the Nuggets won by double digits.
Phoenix has allowed at least 122 points in each of its first three games and currently ranks last in defensive rating. Jokic should have a favorable matchup, while Devin Booker is coming off a three-point outing against Oklahoma City.
Denver’s offense hasn’t been sharp every night, but both of its wins have come by at least six points. I’m comfortable laying four with the Nuggets against a Phoenix defense that hasn’t shown it can slow anyone down.