Today's top games to watch, best bets, odds: Timberwolves vs. Heat, NHL action and more

Find best bets for the biggest games in sports on Wednesday from the SportsLine Projection Model and top CBS Sports experts The 2026 NBA regular season kicked off Tuesday night with a trio of games that saw the seemingly ageless LeBron James (he's actually 41, and from Ohio as he memorably told a courtside fan) lead his new team, the Philadelphia 76ers, to a season-opening 106-100 victory over the defending NBA champions New York Knicks. James notched 14 points, nine rebounds and seven assists in his debut for his fourth NBA employer. Meanwhile, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the way with 32 points as the Oklahoma City Thunder managed a 116-104 road victory over the San Antonio Spurs in a rematch of last season's memorable and contentious Western Conference Finals.

We move on to Wednesday's 11-game slate that, while perhaps bereft of opening night's compelling storylines, features some compelling matchups nonetheless. One such showdown features the Minnesota Timberwolves visiting the Miami Heat in a duel between clubs that made offseason splashes with their participation in a couple of the biggest trades. Minnesota acquired versatile guard Lamelo Ball from the Hornets to pair with Anthony Edwards in the backcourt, while Miami landed 10-time All-Star and 2021 Finals MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo in a blockbuster deal with the Milwaukee Bucks. Trade on Wednesday's biggest games