NBA DFS Picks Today: Opening Night of the 2026 Season

• The 2026-27 NBA season is officially here! The new campaign brings exciting matchups and fresh DFS opportunities.
• Our NBA DFS picks are set for Tuesday, October 20. Here’s what we’re targeting on the three-game slate.
• These picks are backed by data. We’re analyzing Jayson Tatum, Jalen Brunson, and Victor Wembanyama using player stats and matchup trends.

The 2026-27 NBA season is officially here! With a three-game slate on tap, plenty of player props are worth considering for tonight’s NBA DFS picks. I’m targeting a scoring under for Jayson Tatum, backing Jalen Brunson to lead the Knicks offensively, and looking to Victor Wembanyama to make his presence felt as a shot-blocker.

Here are my three NBA DFS picks for tonight, featuring player props from Splash Sports, Dabble, and Underdog

NBA DFS Picks for October 20, 2026

NBA DFS Picks Overview

Jayson Tatum Less 26.5 Points

Jayson Tatum’s 26.5-point projection is a number worth examining after he averaged 21.8 points per game in 16 regular-season appearances during the 2025-26 campaign. That puts his average 4.7 points below the current projection, giving the under a statistical argument.

Tatum also shot 41.1% from the field and 32.9% from three last season, so his scoring efficiency will be worth monitoring as the new campaign begins.

Pick: Less 26.5 points

Jalen Brunson More 26.5 Points

Jalen Brunson enters the season as New York’s primary offensive creator after averaging 26.0 points per game, according to his NBA.com player profile. His ability to generate offense through isolation scoring, drives to the basket, and trips to the free-throw line gives him multiple ways to clear this projection.

The matchup against Philadelphia is more complicated. Brunson averaged 23.0 points across four regular-season meetings with the 76ers last season, scoring 22, 31, 31, and eight points. He cleared 26.5 points twice in those four games, so the historical matchup is mixed rather than an overwhelming argument for the over. It is banner night in Madison Square Garden, so be on the lookout for the Knicks captain to be in full-go mode come tomorrow night

Pick: More 26.5 points

Victor Wembanyama More 3.5 Blocked Shots

Victor Wembanyama is an excellent target for a blocks prop after leading the NBA with 3.1 blocks per game during the 2025-26 regular season. That puts his season average just below the 3.5-block projection, but his elite rim protection gives him a realistic path to four or more against Oklahoma City. Wembanyama showed he can deliver big blocking performances last season.

He recorded seven blocks against Memphis on March 25, six against Philadelphia on March 3, and five against both Denver and Miami in March. Those performances show that he can clear this line comfortably when the matchup and minutes cooperate. We saw the havoc he can cause on any given night last season; I am confident one of the game’s best players will clear this line.

Pick: More 3.5 blocked shots