{"id":209947,"date":"2025-10-13T13:51:14","date_gmt":"2025-10-13T13:51:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/209947\/"},"modified":"2025-10-13T13:51:14","modified_gmt":"2025-10-13T13:51:14","slug":"starting-5-october-13-top-picks-take-center-stage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/209947\/","title":{"rendered":"Starting 5, October 13: Top Picks Take Center Stage"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/p>\n

Tonight,\u00a0the NBA world is set for a look at the top 3 picks from this year\u2019s Draft.<\/p>\n

Last night? It belonged to Olivier Sarr\u00a0\u2014\u00a0older brother of 2024 No. 2 pick Alex\u00a0\u2014\u00a0who\u00a0got the best of their family duel on Sunday\u00a0with this game-winner.<\/p>\n

\"Olivier<\/p>\n

5 STORIES IN TODAY\u2019S EDITION \ud83c\udfc0<\/p>\n

Oct. 13, 2025<\/p>\n

Macao Moments: The best of NBA China Games 2025, plus what\u2019s ahead this week<\/p>\n

Sunday Spotlight: Sarr calls game, Celtics showtime at TD Garden and Joki\u0107 being Joki\u0107<\/p>\n

Roundup: The Greek Freak is back, Reaves heats up and Magic clamp down<\/p>\n

Rising Rooks: Flagg, Bailey and Harper headline a rookie Monday night showcase<\/p>\n

More Matchups: Revamped rosters meet on NBA TV, title contenders in action on League Pass<\/p>\n

BUT FIRST \u2026 \u23f0<\/p>\n

Monday hoops and a special announcement\u2026<\/p>\n

\"Today's<\/p>\n

Five games tip-off tonight, including an NBA TV doubleheader as the Hawks host the Heat (6 ET<\/a>), before Cooper Flagg and the Mavs face Ace Bailey and the Jazz (9 ET<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Just Announced: Live games and 24\/7 basketball programming will power the new NBA App streaming platform and a reimagined NBA TV \u2013 including live NBA games, original shows including The Association, behind the scenes programming and global basketball events. Tap here for more<\/a>.<\/p>\n

1. CHINA GAMES 2025 WRAP-UP & WHAT\u2019S NEXT<\/p>\n

\"NBA<\/p>\n

From Abu Dhabi to Melbourne to Vancouver, the 2025-26 preseason has touched all corners of the globe.<\/p>\n

Its final international stop? Macao, where the NBA China Games 2025 delivered both on and off the court this past weekend.<\/p>\n

Repeat Rallies: The Nets and Suns traded comeback wins in China \u2013 first with Phoenix erasing an 18-point deficit for an OT dub on Friday, then with Brooklyn rallying from 14 down on Sunday to split the series 1-1
\nStars Shine: The big names came to play, as Devin Booker dropped 18 in both matchups, while Cam Thomas paced Brooklyn with 22- and 16-point outings
\nIcons Courtside: A slew of superstars took in the action from the floor seats, including Shaquille O\u2019Neal, Yao Ming, David Beckham and Jackie Chan, who received a roaring ovation<\/a> as they entered Venetian Arena for Friday\u2019s matchup
\nFan Day Flair: More NBA legends were on hand<\/a> for Sunday\u2019s showdown after serving as judges for the \u2018Fan Day\u2019 Dunk Contest, featuring some show-stopping slams<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Shawn<\/p>\n

Beyond the games, the weekend was a celebration of global connections between players, fans and creators \u2013 a reminder of how hoops unites people worldwide.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe energy was off the charts<\/a>,\u201d said Booker following Friday\u2019s win, after spending several minutes signing autographs for fans. \u201cI haven\u2019t heard that type of love in a very long time.\u201d
\n\u201cOne thing I do know for sure,\u201d added creator Agent on Sunday. \u201c[Is] they love basketball out here<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Devin<\/p>\n

Juan Ocampo\/NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n

What\u2019s Next: With Opening Night just eight days away (Tuesday, Oct. 21), the preseason wraps up this week with six more national games following tonight\u2019s NBA TV doubleheader.<\/p>\n

Tuesday (Peacock): In a rematch of the 2024 NBA Cup championship, OKC travels to Milwaukee to face Giannis Antetokounmpo\u2019s Bucks (8 ET)
\nWednesday (ESPN & NBA TV): After visiting Utah tonight, Cooper Flagg and the Mavs meet the Lakers in L.A. (10:30 ET, ESPN), following Raptors-Celtics (7:30 ET, NBA TV)
\nThursday (ESPN2): One night later, KD\u2019s Rockets take on Trae Young and the Hawks for the second time this preseason (7:30 ET)
\nFriday (NBA TV): A Western Conference doubleheader highlights the final night of preseason ball as the Nuggets face the Thunder (8 ET), before Kings-Lakers (10:30 ET)<\/p>\n

2. SUNDAY SPOTLIGHT: SARR BEATS BUZZER, CONTENDERS CLASH
\n\"Olivier<\/p>\n

Kenny Giarla + Stephen Gosling\/NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n

From driveway duels to an NBA \u201cbrother-beater.\u201d<\/p>\n

Raptors 113, Wizards 112: Alex Sarr was everywhere for Washington early (12 pts, 8 reb, 1 stl, 2 blk, 17 min), but it was his older brother, Olivier Sarr, who called game<\/a> for Toronto \u2013 laying in a game-winning lob off an inbound as time expired to give the Raptors a thrilling win. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

Wiz Storm Back: Down 16 with 5:12 left, Washington closed the game on an 18-1 run to take a one-point lead with 0.8 seconds remaining. Then Sarr happened
\nCore Strength: Immanuel Quickley (18 pts) and RJ Barrett (15 pts) led the Raptors in scoring, while Scottie Barnes stuffed the stat sheet (10 pts, 12 reb, 4 ast, 3 stl)
\nNew Place, Same Buckets: CJ McCollum turned in a game-high 19 points for Washington, which had six scorers finish in double figures<\/p>\n

\"Wendell<\/p>\n

Celtics 138, Cavaliers 107: Payton Pritchard set the tone off the jump<\/a>with 12 points on 5-of-6 shooting to give Boston a 33-17 lead after the 1st quarter, and the C\u2019s never looked back for a wire-to-wire win over the Cavs. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

The Simons Show: Boston\u2019s summer acquisition Anfernee Simons went off<\/a>, nailing six 3s for 21 points, while Derrick White (16), Sam Hauser (15) and Pritchard (14) combined for 45
\nSunday Slamfest: Josh Minott brought TD Garden to its feet with this windmill jam<\/a>, before Wendell Moore Jr. punctuated the win with a vicious poster<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Nikola<\/p>\n

Garrett Ellwood\/NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Nuggets 102, Clippers 94: Nikola Joki\u0107 was operating in limited action (12 pts, 9 reb, 6 ast, 22 min), Aaron Gordon added 18 points and 7 boards, and the Nuggets raced past the Clippers late in a game that saw 14 ties and 21 lead changes. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

Gold Rush: Denver outscored LA 26-19 in the 4th, including 11 points from Curtis Jones in a 2-minute span to grab the lead for good
\nLA Spotlight: Kawhi Leonard led the Clips with 17 points, while James Harden dished out a game-high 11 dimes and Ivica Zubac tallied a double-double (11 pts, 10 reb)<\/p>\n

3. SUNDAY ROUNDUP: GIANNIS DEBUTS, REAVES & WAGNER SHINE
\n\"Giannis<\/p>\n

Gary Dineen\/NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Bucks 127, Bulls 121: Giannis Antetokounmpo only needed 21 minutes to post a double-double in his preseason debut (13 pts, 10 reb), while Myles Turner and Kyle Kuzma dropped 19 points apiece to lead Milwaukee past Matas Buzelis (19 pts) and Chicago. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

Stretch & Strength: Turner went 5-of-8 from downtown, while Giannis flexed his trademark power with this tough and-1 finish<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Austin<\/p>\n

Lakers 126, Warriors 116: Everything was falling<\/a> for Austin Reaves (21 pts, 7-10 fg), including this ridiculous and-1 floater that kissed the sky, while Dalton Knecht and Rui Hachimura each added 16 points to power the Lakers past the Warriors. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

Bronny\u2019s Bag: Bronny James (7 pts, 1 ast) flashed his playmaking with this smooth finger roll<\/a> and an alley-oop to Jaxson Hayes<\/a>. Meanwhile, LeBron James went 1-for-1<\/a> from the bench
\nPodz Pops Off: Brandin Podziemski turned in a game-high 23 points and 8 dimes for the Dubs, who were without Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler III<\/p>\n

Magic 120, Heat 104: Franz Wagner was cooking early (17 pts, 3 ast, 15 min) and the Magic \u2013 who boasted the league\u2019s best scoring defense last season \u2013 held the Heat to 38.5% shooting to secure the win, despite Kel\u2019el Ware\u2019s third straight double-double (24 pts, 10 reb). | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

Next Gen Magic: Two second-generation NBAers impressed for Orlando: Jett Howard (11 pts, 4 ast), the son of Juwan Howard, and rookie Jase Richardson (13 pts), the son of Jason Richardson<\/p>\n

4. MONDAY PREVIEW: TOP ROOKIES TAKE CENTER STAGE
\n\"Cooper<\/p>\n

Dustin Bradford\/NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n

A new season offers a clean slate.<\/p>\n

It also brings new stars \u2013 and some fresh faces are already flashing big-time potential.<\/p>\n

Tonight (9 ET, NBA TV), two of those fresh faces could square off in a showdown of top-five picks as Cooper Flagg and the Mavs visit Ace Bailey and the Jazz.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Bailey\u2019s Rutgers teammate and No. 2 pick Dylan Harper could return to action after a strong preseason debut as the Spurs face the Pacers (7 ET, League Pass).<\/p>\n

How It Started: Four months ago, we knew these three rookies as prospects \u2013 young hoopers full of untapped potential, but unproven on the game\u2019s highest level
\nHow It\u2019s Going: This preseason, they\u2019re showing why they were top picks \u2013 displaying the skillsets that had scouts and executives buzzing<\/p>\n

So today, let\u2019s compare their pre-Draft scouting reports from NBA.com<\/a> to the results we\u2019re now seeing against NBA competition.<\/p>\n

Ace Bailey<\/p>\n

The Pre-Draft Analysis: \u201cBailey is an elite shooter from anywhere on the court and used his size to get his shot off whenever he wanted in college. He\u2019s great as a spot-up shooter and will attack poor closeouts\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

The Preseason Tape \u2b07\ufe0f<\/p>\n

\"Ace<\/p>\n

Bailey ranks first among rookies and third among all players this preseason with 22.5 ppg. His shooting stroke has been as advertised, as he\u2019s gone 65.5% from the field and 40.0% from 3. Overcommit to the jumper, and he\u2019s already making defenders pay.<\/p>\n

Cooper Flagg<\/p>\n

The Pre-Draft Analysis: \u201cFlagg\u2019s floor is higher than most projected No. 1 overall draft picks due to his defensive prowess and versatility, but if he\u2019s able to unlock his full offensive potential, watch out. For his size, Flagg is an elite shooter, passer and ballhandler.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Preseason Tape \u2b07\ufe0f<\/p>\n

\"Cooper<\/p>\n

Flagg\u2019s already flashing both sides of that scouting report. Here, he shows off his versatility and instincts, jumping a pass for the steal and pushing transition. But with no numbers, the rookie doesn\u2019t press. Instead, he slows it up just enough to spring an open cutter for a point-blank bucket.<\/p>\n

Dylan Harper<\/p>\n

The Pre-Draft Analysis: \u201cHarper is a big-bodied, do-it-all playmaker with positional versatility \u2026 [he] has the potential to be an offensive engine due to his feel for the game and willingness to find the open teammate.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Preseason Tape \u2b07\ufe0f<\/p>\n

\"Dylan<\/p>\n

Harper showed off his offensive feel in his preseason debut on Friday with 9 points and 3 assists \u2013 including the dish above, where he navigates into the paint, draws three defenders, then lofts a perfect pass to Luke Kornet for an easy finish.<\/p>\n

Early Connection: Harper later dished another pretty lob to Victor Wembanyama<\/a>, the former Kia Rookie of the Year who\u2019s off to a dazzling start in Year 3, averaging 13.7 points, 7.0 boards, 5.0 dimes and 1.7 blocks this preseason<\/p>\n

5. MORE MATCHUPS: HAWKS-HEAT ON NBA TV, TITLE CONTENDERS ON LEAGUE PASS
\n\"Norman<\/a><\/p>\n

Issac Baldizon + Joe Murphy\/NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n

In this year\u2019s NBA GM Survey<\/a>, eight different teams were selected to finish top-four in the East \u2013 the most since 2019-20.<\/p>\n

In a conference where it\u2019s anyone\u2019s game, two squads who met in the 2025 Play-In Tournament \u2013 the Hawks and Heat \u2013 went out and retooled this summer in hopes of making a deeper Playoff push.<\/p>\n

Tonight, the two revamped rosters will square off, while a pair of title contenders round out Monday\u2019s slate on League Pass.<\/p>\n

Heat at Hawks (6 ET, NBA TV): Norman Powell is already clicking in Miami. The veteran guard ranks second on the team in scoring this preseason (13.7 ppg in 18.6 mins) while shooting 41.7% from deep \u2013 stretching the floor for a Heat squad that finished 24th in scoring last year.<\/p>\n

Sophomore Spark: The only Heat player ahead of Powell in scoring? Kel\u2019el Ware, who\u2019s been a force inside (20.3 ppg, 11.0 rpg) and out (50.0% from 3)
\nJJ\u2019s Back: On the other side, Jalen Johnson has looked sharp in his first action since last year\u2019s season-ending shoulder injury, leading the Hawks with 15.5 ppg
\nATL Acclimating: Meanwhile, newcomers Kristaps Porzi\u0146\u0123is (9.0 ppg, 0.5 blk) and Nickeil Alexander-Walker (10.0 ppg, 1.0 stl) have added a combined 19 ppg while bolstering Atlanta\u2019s defense<\/p>\n

\"Jalen<\/a><\/p>\n

Julio Aguilar & Carmen Mandato\/NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Wizards at Knicks (7:30 ET, LP): Six different Knicks are averaging 8+ ppg across their three preseason outings:<\/p>\n

Four from their starting 5 \u2013 Mikal Bridges (11.7), OG Anunoby (10.5), Jalen Brunson (10.3) and Karl-Anthony Towns (9.0) \u2013 along with new addition Jordan Clarkson (8.7) and Miles McBride (8.0).<\/p>\n

That balance has fueled a 3-0 start for New York, which will look to stay unbeaten tonight against the young Wizards<\/p>\n

Loong-Lions at Timberwolves (8 ET, LP): Anthony Edwards (17.0 ppg in 22.9 mins) and Julius Randle (15.0 ppg in 20.5 mins) already look to be in midseason form, posting big numbers in limited action. Meanwhile, another Wolf is making noise.<\/p>\n

Year 4 Fire: After averaging career-highs in points (8.9 ppg) and minutes (19.8 mpg) last year with Utah, Johnny Juzang has stayed hot in Minnesota, averaging 14.7 ppg this preseason
\nFamiliar Faces: On the other side, two former NBAers lead Guangzhou in Frank Kaminsky and Victor Oladipo \u2013 who showed he still has all-world bounce<\/a> last week against the Clippers<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Tonight,\u00a0the NBA world is set for a look at the top 3 picks from this year\u2019s Draft. Last…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":209948,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[434],"tags":[975,49,48,459,97887,102177,102178,82],"class_list":{"0":"post-209947","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-nba","8":"tag-975","9":"tag-ca","10":"tag-canada","11":"tag-nba","12":"tag-nba-starting-5-newsletter","13":"tag-october-13","14":"tag-olivier-sarr-buzzer-beater","15":"tag-sports"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/209947","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=209947"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/209947\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/209948"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=209947"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=209947"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=209947"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}