Uncover the NBA’s Hidden Fade-Able Gems Ready to Shake Up the 2025-26 Season!

So here we are, digging ourselves out of a hole already in the NBA 2025-26 betting season, thanks to the Oklahoma City Thunder’s nail-biting double-overtime win that somehow still didn’t cover the spread. Yeah, it stings—especially when OKC’s 3-point shooting flirts with a disastrous 25.0% mark. But hey, shooters gonna shoot, right? If tonight goes south too, I might just revert to my low-volume MLB strategy from earlier this year. Still, the irresistible pull of the NBA’s opening full slate keeps me locked in for a flurry of bets. Among Wednesday’s lines, Charlotte laying -5.5—while 85% of the money swings their way—strikes me as an overhyped misstep; LaMelo Ball’s defensive woes and poor shot choices paint a different story. Meanwhile, Brooklyn’s +5.5 feels like a clever fade on the Hornets’ imperfect context, especially with fresh faces like Michael Porter Jr. lighting it up and a sturdier defensive unit. And oh, the drama with Philadelphia and Boston—injuries galore, starter shakeups, and a high-stakes showdown that has me watching every detail closely. If Joel Embiid suits up, this game is a toss-up, no doubt. So buckle up—there’s plenty to unpack as the bets roll in, and the hoops narrative twists and turns like a thriller. Ready to dive deeper? LEARN MORE.

I’m starting this NBA 2025-26 betting season in a hole after the reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder couldn’t cover -6.5 in a thrilling 125-124 double overtime win vs. the Houston Rockets on Tuesday. On one hand, the loss sucks, but on the other, it was a little unlucky (or, at least that’s what I’m telling myself) because OKC shot 25.0% from 3-point land.

If I get waxed Wednesday, which I’m afraid of, I might use the same low-volume gambling strategy as I did with MLB this year. Yet, like the Thunder last night, shooters shoot, and there’s no way I’m not betting several games on the NBA’s first full night of action. With that in mind, here are my favorite looks from the Association Wednesday.

Who the f*** is Charlotte to be laying -5.5 vs. any NBA team? According to Pregame.com, 85% of the money is on the Hornets at the time of writing, which is the second-biggest betting disparity on the board Wednesday. They are a hipster pick to eclipse their 25.5-win total this season because the basketball community overrates Charlotte PG LaMelo Ball.

However, LaMelo is a god-awful defender, has a poor shot selection, and he had a career-worst 49.4% effective field goal rate last season, which accounts for 2- and 3-point shooting. There’s a reason the Hornets haven’t won more than 27 games in the previous three seasons. People chalk that up to him being injured, but Charlotte is only 36-69 in games Ball has played since 2022.

Granted, the Nets are supposed to suck this season, too. They have a 20.5-win total, tied with the Washington Wizards for the lowest in the Eastern Conference. Nonetheless, Brooklyn is getting +5.5 points, not laying it. I.e., I’m fading the Hornets more than betting on the Nets.

Also, these rosters are a toss-up. Brooklyn newcomer Michael Porter Jr. is an NBA champion and a lights-out shooter. Nets combo guard Cam Thomas can get buckets vs. any defender in the world. They have glue guys, such as wing Terance Mann and big Nic Claxton, whereas Charlotte doesn’t have a good defensive player on its roster.

Lastly, I might “middle” if Brooklyn is ahead at halftime by betting Charlotte’s second-half line, so pay attention to my X feed for that release.

I can almost guarantee that Joel Embiid will be ruled out as soon as I place my bet and this article gets published, regardless of what Philly’s beatwriters report. However, as of 2:30 p.m. ET, Paul George is the only 76ers starter who’s been officially ruled out. If Embiid and Sixers PG Tyrese Maxey play Wednesday, Boston shouldn’t be more than -2 favorites.

The Celtics are missing four players from their championship core from two seasons ago. Three left this offseason: Jrue Holiday, Al Horford, and Kristaps Porziņģis. More importantly, the Celtics’ leading scorer, rebounder, and assist-man from last season, Jayson Tatum, is out with a torn Achilles. Plus, Jaylen Brown is questionable with a hamstring injury.

Ultimately, that’s my handicap for this game: Philadelphia has a former MVP (Embiid) and an All-Star (Maxey), while three of Boston’s projected starters for Wednesday wouldn’t be in the starting 5 for 25+ other teams. If the 76ers lose this game, I’m putting them right back on the “ban list.”

Pardon my obvious typo in the last sentence from my newsletter handicap in the photo above. Phoenix should have an edge on the boards because it has three 7-foot bigs, and Sacramento will be without the NBA’s leading rebounder from last season, C Domantas Sabonis.

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Follow me on X (or Twitter, whatever) @Geoffery-Clark, and check out my OutKick Bets Podcast for more betting content and random rants. Track my NBA 2025-26 bets here.