NBA Best Bets Today: Knicks, Scottie Barnes and Jaylen Brown Player Props

With the NFL still in full swing, the NBA on NBC won’t pivot to airing “Sunday Night Basketball” until early 2027.

There’d be some strong candidates for a showcase season opener tonight if that weren’t the case, namely a meeting of Eastern Conference contenders as Detroit (2-0) visits Philadelphia (3-0).

Let’s check out some best bets from a seven-game Sunday slate in the Association.

ORLANDO MAGIC AT NEW YORK KNICKS, 7 p.m. ET

Narrow losses to Philadelphia and at Boston have the left defending NBA champion Knicks staggering at 0-2. They’re the first reigning Larry O’Brien Trophy winner to stumble as such since the 2011-12 Dallas Mavericks started 0-3.

While ball control has doomed New York in the early going (30 turnovers in two games), usual suspects Karl-Anthony Towns (20.5 points per game) and Jalen Brunson (20) have been dependable scorers.

The discrepancy in the stars’ accuracy from the floor is something else, but let’s revisit if Towns (68.2) and Brunson (36.1) still are connecting at their respective percentages in a month.

Speaking of that timeframe, is that how long oft-injured Magic forward Paolo Banchero will be out with a low-grade high ankle sprain he sustained during the first half of Friday’s home loss to Minnesota?

At any rate, Orlando will need to adjust without its leading scorer an assist man. Starting that mission inside a Madison Square Garden rife with nervous energy isn’t ideal.

Knicks -7.5 (-115)

TORONTO RAPTORS AT MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES, 7 p.m.

Toronto is seeking its first victory at Target Center since Feb. 16, 2022. The only current Raptor to have played in that game is also the one off to the hottest start in the first week of the season.

Scottie Barnes enters play averaging 25.5 points, 10 rebounds and five assists. He’s also a go-to for “stocks” – combined steals and blocks, that is; he’s the only player in the league to collect at least 100 of both last season.

While the Timberwolves have pushed opponents around out of the gate, the Raptors are physical, too, and forcing plenty of turnovers. Expect Barnes to be productive as usual, whether in the half-court or in transition.

Scottie Barnes 30+ points, rebounds and assists (-230)

DETROIT PISTONS AT PHILADELPHIA 76ers, 7:30 p.m.

The goal in Philly – and wherever else the Sixers play – is to keep Joel Embiid, LeBron James and Co. healthy and clicking all at once.

Still, that isn’t as vital in the regular season if it adds up to an elusive deep playoff run. With that, James was ruled out of Saturday’s home game against Milwaukee with lower back pain management even as coach Nick Nurse said pregame that James hadn’t complained of discomfort.

Embiid guided Philadelphia past the Bucks with a 28-point, 11-rebound, 10-assist triple-double, but it’s probably a safe assumption that he’ll miss the second leg of this back-to-back with some version of injury management.

Oh, yeah, we haven’t mentioned Jaylen Brown yet. He scored 27 points Saturday on the night he turned 30, which still is far too young to worry about wearing oneself out in consecutive games.

Brown is shooting 50 percent and the Pistons have allowed 113 and 111 points, respectively, in their victories.

Jaylen Brown 25+ points (-150)