10:00 pm UTC
MIL @ IND -8
Projected Scores and Stats for NBA's Opening Night
The Cavs host the Celtics and the Warriors host the Rockets as the NBA season tips off. SportsLine simulates each game 10,000 times to project scores and stats.
The NBA sure knows how to kick off a new season.
The four teams tipping off in its tonight's opening doubleheader are four teams expected to contend for the Larry O'Brien Trophy seven months from now.
The Cleveland Cavaliers host the Boston Celtics, then the Golden State Warriors will hand out 2016-17 championship rings prior to hosting the Houston Rockets.
After a wildly entertaining offseason, marquee faces are wearing new uniforms, and that includes the Big Four playing tonight.
The Eastern Conference rivals facing off in Cleveland have each other to thank for some of the bigger flips.
The Cavs and Celtics swapped All-Star point guards Kyrie Irving and Isaiah Thomas.
In its continued quest to knock the Cavs off the Eastern Conference throne, Boston also added another All-Star in forward Gordon Hayward.
The nightcap will also feature a major name in a new place.
The Rockets traded for star point guard Chris Paul, where he’ll team with James Harden, who finished second in the NBA in scoring (29.1 per game) and first in assists (11.2).
The Warriors, meanwhile, kept most of its title team intact and are overwhelming favorites to repeat as champions. Kevin Durant bizarre social media issues provided the only real drama.
The SportsLine Projection Model, which simulates each NBA game 10,000 times, has come up with final scores and player statistics for tonight’s marquee doubleheader.
Projections are updated every 10 minutes, throughout the season, based on a multitude of fluid factors.
SportsLine Projection Model’s score: Cavaliers 111, Celtics 106
Vegas line: The Cavaliers are a 4-point home favorite (O/U 212.5)
Projected statistics: LeBron James goes for 25.8 points, 9.0 rebounds and 7.1 assists and Kevin Love gets 16.2 points and 11.2 rebounds to lead the Cavs, while Kyrie Irving gets 24.7 points, 3.1 rebounds and 6.5 assists and Gordon Hayward scored 22.2 points for the Celtics.
SportsLine Projection Model’s score: Warriors 126, Rockets 113
Vegas line: The Warriors are favored by 9.5 points at home (O/U 229)
Projected statistics: Steph Curry gets 29.5 points and 7.4 rebounds, Kevin Durant goes for 28.8 points and 7.6 rebounds and Klay Thompson scored 23.7 points to lead Golden State. James Harden finishes with 26.7 points, 6.6 rebounds and 7.2 assists and Chris Paul has 20.6 points and 8.6 assists for Houston.
Adam Thompson
