NBA Schedule Tonight: Today’s Games and Playoff Race Explained

Full game schedule today

Tonight’s 25-26 NBA schedule features two important Eastern and Western Conference clashes that can shape early playoff seeding. With both games tipping at 8:00 PM ET, fans get a busy primetime slate on the NBA schedule today.​

Why these games matter

Cavaliers vs Bulls is a key Eastern Conference matchup because Cleveland is targeting a top-four seed while Chicago is trying to stay in the playoff picture at home. A win for the Bulls would be a statement against a conference rival, but the Cavaliers are on a strong run against Chicago in recent meetings.​

Grizzlies vs Timberwolves carries major Western Conference playoff implications, as Minnesota is pushing for a top seed and Memphis is trying to climb after injury issues. With stars back in the lineup, the Grizzlies can test one of the league’s best defenses and swing momentum in the West race.​

Expert predictions and likely winners

Recent form, betting lines and team depth give the Cavaliers and Timberwolves a slight edge tonight. Cleveland enters as a road favorite over Chicago, while Minnesota is backed to defend home court against Memphis.​

Cavaliers vs Bulls – key prediction points

• Cavaliers come in with better overall form and a more settled core, which gives them an edge in late‑game situations.

• Chicago will rely heavily on home‑court energy and Giddey’s playmaking; if their three‑point shooting is cold, it becomes difficult to keep up with Cleveland’s offense.

• Interior battle between Vucevic and Allen could decide the rebounding margin; if Cleveland controls the glass, the Bulls will struggle to get second‑chance points.

• Turnovers are a big swing factor: the Bulls’ ball security against the Cavs’ pressure defense will likely determine whether this stays close or tilts toward a comfortable Cleveland win.

Grizzlies vs Timberwolves – key prediction points

• Timberwolves hold a clear advantage in defensive consistency, especially at home, which is why they are slight favorites.

• Gobert’s rim protection against Morant’s drives is a crucial matchup; if Gobert stays out of foul trouble, Memphis will have to rely more on perimeter shooting.

• Minnesota’s half‑court offense is more reliable thanks to Edwards and Randle, giving them better answers in crunch time.

• For Memphis to pull an upset, role players around Morant and Bane must hit open threes and the Grizzlies must speed up the tempo to avoid prolonged half‑court sets against the Wolves’ size.

These predictions can change if late injuries or rest decisions are announced closer to tip-off, so fans should check official team updates before game time. Use them as guidance, not as guaranteed outcomes, especially for betting.​

Cavaliers vs Bulls predicted lineups

Cleveland is expected to lean on its backcourt star power and interior presence. Chicago should respond with a balanced lineup built around playmaking and inside scoring.​

• Cavaliers probable starters:
  Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, De’Andre Hunter, Dean Wade, Jarrett Allen.​

• Bulls probable starters:
  Josh Giddey, Ayo Dosunmu, Matas Buzelis, Patrick Williams (or another forward), Nikola Vucevic.​

Grizzlies vs Timberwolves predicted lineups

Minnesota’s likely starting five combines strong perimeter shot creation with rim protection. Memphis may counter with length and scoring from multiple positions, depending on final injury news.​

• Timberwolves probable starters:
  Mike Conley, Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, Julius Randle, Rudy Gobert.​

• Grizzlies probable starters:
  Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, Luke Kennard or Jaylen Wells on the wing, Jaren Jackson Jr., Zach Edey.​

Coaches can still adjust rotations on game day, so treat these lineups as projections, not confirmed lists.​

Top players to watch and key stats

Donovan Mitchell is the headline act in Cavaliers vs Bulls, averaging around 30 points with efficient shooting from the field and from three, making him one of the league’s most explosive scorers this season. For Chicago, Josh Giddey is close to a triple‑double on average with over 20 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists per game, and his all‑round play drives the Bulls’ offense.​

In the frontcourt battle, Nikola Vucevic provides more than 15 points and 9 rebounds per night for Chicago, giving the Bulls a steady inside option against Jarrett Allen’s rim protection and rebounding for Cleveland. The Bulls also rely on young forward Matas Buzelis, who adds double‑digit scoring and energetic defense, while Ayo Dosunmu and Tre Jones offer secondary playmaking and perimeter pressure.​

For the Timberwolves, Anthony Edwards is a must‑watch star on the wing, combining high‑volume scoring with highlight plays, while Rudy Gobert anchors one of the league’s toughest defenses inside. On the Memphis side, Ja Morant and Desmond Bane form a dangerous backcourt, with Morant attacking the rim and Bane stretching the floor from deep, creating pressure on Minnesota’s defense all night.​

Where to watch and live streaming

Cavaliers vs Bulls is listed on regional sports networks and League Pass, with coverage from Chicago’s local broadcast partners at United Center. Fans can also stream the game through official NBA platforms where League Pass is available in their region.​

Grizzlies vs Timberwolves will be shown on FDSN, FDSSE and NBA TV from Target Center at 8:00 PM ET. Viewers can watch via cable, satellite or streaming apps that carry these channels or through NBA League Pass depending on local blackout rules.

Disclaimer:
All predictions and projected lineups in this article are based on current form, publicly available information and expert opinion at the time of writing. They are not guaranteed results, and actual game outcomes, lineups and player availability may differ due to injuries, coaching decisions or other late updates. Readers should not treat this information as betting advice and are advised to check official team and league sources for final details before placing any wagers or making decisions related to these games.