New Mexico State at Sam Houston
8:00 p.m. ET | ESPN2 | Elliott T. Bowers Stadium, Huntsville, Texas
Odds: New Mexico State -2.5  | Total: 45.5

Records

Last game — New Mexico State: Lost 22–3 at FIU on October 7. Three turnovers undermined an otherwise competitive defensive effort. James Jones rushed for 89 yards, while defensive end Gabe Peterson recorded two sacks and safety Nick Session made 13 tackles. The Aggies return after a bye, giving them 13 full days between games.

Last game — Sam Houston: Lost 16–3 at home to Western Kentucky on October 14. The defense held WKU to 276 yards, but the Bearkats produced only 177 yards themselves. Sam Houston has scored just three points in each of its first two conference games. 

Quarterback matchup

• New Mexico State — Adam Damante: Expected to lead the offense after starting the past two games. Season totals: 43-of-70, 61.4%, 477 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions. Earlier starter Trey Hedden has completed 52.4% for 906 yards, five touchdowns and six interceptions. Damante’s ball security is particularly important after the turnover problems at FIU.
• Sam Houston — Landyn Locke: 129-of-205, 62.9%, 1,418 yards, 11 touchdowns and four interceptions. His season production is stronger, but his last three starts have yielded approximately 148 passing yards per game with two touchdowns and three interceptions. 

Offense/Defense — season averages

Key injuries: New Mexico State lists RB R. Burton, TE R. Lotten and K I. Uvaydov as questionable, all with undisclosed injuries. Sam Houston lists TE M. Whisner as questionable and TE B. Kuhl out for the season, also with undisclosed injuries

2025 meeting: New Mexico State won 37–10 in Las Cruces, covering as a 1.5-point underdog; the game stayed under 52.5. Sam Houston trailed only 13–10 entering the fourth quarter before allowing 24 unanswered points.

Weather: The published forecast calls for approximately 70°F at kickoff with light winds around 6 mph.

Wednesday, October 21 — NBA Betting Preview

Last season’s records

                                                                    SU                           ATS                              O/U

Atlanta at Orlando
7:00 p.m. | Orlando -3  | Total 235
TV: Regional broadcasts; NBA League Pass out of market.

Key injuries: Atlanta is without frontcourt players Mouhamed Gueye and Henri Veesaar. Orlando lists Anthony Black, Jonathan Isaac, Noah Penda and Izaiyah Nelson out. 2025–26 meetings: Atlanta swept all four, most recently winning 130–101 in Orlando. 

Offense/Defense: Atlanta averaged 118.5 points and allowed 116.0; Orlando averaged 115.7 and allowed 115.1. Atlanta shot 37.1% from three, while Orlando allowed opponents to make 35.3%. 

Matchup analysis: Jalen Johnson’s creation and Atlanta’s perimeter ball movement challenge Orlando’s size. Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Desmond Bane give the Magic multiple scoring options, but Black and Isaac’s absences reduce their defensive flexibility. Atlanta added Dorian Finney-Smith for additional wing depth. 

Milwaukee at Washington
7:00 p.m. | Washington -4.5  | Total 239
TV: Monumental Sports Network

Key injuries: Washington rookie AJ Dybantsa is out with an ankle injury, along with Tristan Vukcevic and Jamir Watkins. Milwaukee rookie Nate Ament is listed as probable in the latest reported update. 2025–26 meetings: Washington won three of four, including the final three. 

Offense/Defense: Milwaukee averaged 110.6 points, allowing 116.8. Washington averaged 112.9, allowing 124.9. The Wizards also surrendered 47.8 rebounds per game, making defensive rebounding a major area requiring improvement.

Roster/matchup: Milwaukee’s revised core includes Tyler Herro and Myles Turner; Washington now features Anthony Davis, Trae Young and Deandre Ayton among its options. The tactical question is whether Washington’s interior talent can generate efficient offense without exposing its guards defensively. 

Minnesota at Miami
7:30 p.m. | ESPN | Miami PK | Total 242.5

Key injuries: Minnesota is without Donte DiVincenzo, recovering from an Achilles injury. Miami reserve center Vladislav Goldin is questionable. 2025–26 meetings: Minnesota won both, 125–115 and 122–94. 

Roster changes: Minnesota acquired LaMelo Ball, with Naz Reid going to Charlotte. Miami added Giannis Antetokounmpo, creating a powerful interior combination with Bam Adebayo.

Offense/Defense: Minnesota scored 118.0 and allowed 114.6 per game. Miami scored 120.9 and allowed 118.5. Those numbers describe the previous rosters, making them starting points rather than reliable forecasts for this matchup. 

Matchup analysis: Anthony Edwards and Ball can stretch Miami’s defense through penetration and perimeter creation. Miami’s advantage is its ability to attack the rim, draw fouls and test Minnesota’s frontcourt depth.

Charlotte at Brooklyn
7:30 p.m. | Brooklyn -2.5  | Total 218.5
TV: YES / Charlotte regional coverage.

Key injuries: Charlotte is without Coby White, Kon Knueppel, Grant Williams and Kylan Boswell. Brooklyn lists Tyler Bilodeau out. 2025–26 meetings: Charlotte won two of three, including 117–86 in the most recent meeting

Roster changes: Charlotte moved LaMelo Ball for Naz Reid and traded Miles Bridges to Phoenix for Grayson Allen and Royce O’Neale. Those changes, combined with the injuries, substantially alter the team that covered 50 games last season. 

Offense/Defense: Charlotte averaged 116.0 points, allowing 111.2. Brooklyn averaged 105.9, allowing 115.9, while opponents shot 49.7% against the Nets. 

Chicago at Toronto
7:30 p.m. | Toronto -9.5 | Total 236.5
TV: Regional coverage.

Key injuries: Chicago is without Nic Claxton, while Isaac Okoro and several rotation players carry availability concerns. Toronto lists reserve center Nate Bittle out. 2025–26 meetings: Toronto swept all three by 16, nine and 30 points. 

Roster changes: Toronto acquired Kawhi Leonard, sending Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick and draft assets to the Clippers. Chicago’s revised roster includes Norman Powell. 

Offense/Defense: Chicago averaged 116.3 points but allowed 121.5. Toronto scored 114.6, allowed 111.8, and forced 16.1 turnovers per game. 

Matchup analysis: Toronto’s wing defenders can disrupt Chicago’s passing lanes, while Claxton’s absence weakens the Bulls’ interior resistance. Chicago needs Josh Giddey to limit turnovers and generate clean perimeter opportunities. 

Indiana at New Orleans
8:00 p.m. | Indiana -3.5 | Total 239.5
TV: Regional coverage / Gulf Coast Sports.

Key injuries: Indiana is without Aaron Nesmith, T.J. McConnell and Johnny Furphy. New Orleans had no players listed on the matchup injury report checked. 2025–26 meetings: The teams split, with New Orleans winning 128–109 and Indiana answering 127–119. 

Offense/Defense: Indiana averaged 112.4 points, allowing 120.4. New Orleans averaged 115.5, allowing 120.0. Both allowed opponents to shoot at least 47.7%. 

Roster/matchup: Indiana’s options include Pascal Siakam, Andrew Nembhard, Ivica Zubac and Kelly Oubre Jr. New Orleans counters with Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy III and Bennedict Mathurin. Nesmith’s absence makes Indiana’s defensive assignments against New Orleans’ wings more difficult. 

Utah at Memphis
8:00 p.m. | Memphis -1  | Total 239
TV: KJZZ / Memphis regional coverage.

Key injuries: Utah is without Jusuf Nurkic and several reserves. Memphis big man Isaiah Stewart has an ankle injury; listings vary between questionable and a later doubtful report. 2025–26 meetings: Split 2–2; every game produced at least 237 combined points. 

Offense/Defense: Utah averaged 117.6 points and allowed 126.0. Memphis scored 114.7 and allowed 120.7. Both struggled to defend the three-point line and finish possessions on the glass

Roster changes: Utah now features Jaren Jackson Jr. alongside Lauri Markkanen and Keyonte George. Memphis has moved on from Ja Morant, who joined Portland, making its offensive creation a major early-season question.

Dallas at Houston
8:30 p.m. | Houston -8.5  | Total 229
TV: Space City Home Network / KFAA.

Key injuries: Dallas lists Dereck Lively II and Santi Aldama out; Jett Howard also has an availability concern. Houston’s Steven Adams and Julian Phillips are questionable. 2025–26 meetings: Split 2–2; Houston won the latest 111–107. 

Offense/Defense: Dallas averaged 114.1 points, allowing 119.6. Houston averaged 115.2, allowing 110.0. Houston’s 48.1 rebounds per game against Dallas’s 44.7 highlights a potential possession advantage.

Matchup analysis: Cooper Flagg leads Dallas against a Houston core featuring Kevin Durant, Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson. Marcus Smart adds another perimeter defender. Dallas’s missing big men increase the challenge of containing Sengun and preventing second-chance opportunities.

Golden State at Los Angeles Lakers
10:00 p.m. | ESPN | Lakers -6 | Total 233.5

Key injuries: Golden State is without Jimmy Butler, Kristaps Porzingis, Moses Moody and Brandin Podziemski. Stephen Curry’s latest report is probable with an ankle issue, with no expected minutes restriction. Lakers guard Collin Sexton is questionable. 

2025–26 meetings: The Lakers won three of four, taking the last three by six, 28 and 16 points.

Offense/Defense: Golden State averaged 114.6 points, allowing 115.2. The Lakers averaged 116.3, allowing 114.6, and led the league in field-goal percentage at 50.2%. 

Roster/matchup: The Lakers have rebuilt around Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves following LeBron James’ departure, with Walker Kessler and Quentin Grimes among the additions. Golden State’s absences leave Curry carrying a substantial creation burden. 

Phoenix at Portland
10:00 p.m. | Portland -2.5 | Total 231.5
TV: Arizona regional coverage / KUNP.

Key injuries: Phoenix center Mark Williams is out; Luke Kennard is questionable. Portland’s Deni Avdija is questionable with an ankle injury, while other listings include Shaedon Sharpe out. 2025–26 meetings: Phoenix won two of three, but Portland won the latest 92–77. 

Roster changes: Phoenix added Miles Bridges. Portland added Ja Morant, joining a group featuring Jrue Holiday, Avdija and Donovan Clingan.

Offense/Defense: Phoenix averaged 112.6 points, allowing 111.1. Portland averaged 115.5, allowing 115.8, but committed 17.3 turnovers per game. 

Sacramento at Los Angeles Clippers
10:30 p.m. | Clippers -4.5  | Total 227.5

Key injuries: Sacramento lists Malik Monk questionable, with Maxime Raynaud and Dylan Cardwell out. The Clippers are without Bradley Beal, Brandon Ingram and Max Strus, among others.

2025–26 meetings: The Clippers won three of four, including 138–109 in the most recent meeting. 

Roster changes: Los Angeles traded Kawhi Leonard to Toronto, acquiring Ingram and Gradey Dick. Ingram’s absence delays the Clippers’ opportunity to evaluate that new scoring combination. 

Offense/Defense: Sacramento averaged 111.0 points, allowing 121.0. The Clippers averaged 113.8, allowing 112.6. Sacramento allowed opponents to shoot 49.4%, a major defensive vulnerability.