ESPN standings data retrieved October 6, 2026. NBA comparisons use the completed 2025–26 regular season. Each upcoming fixture labels preseason or regular-season status.
The team numbers
| Measure | Season average | League rank |
|---|
| STANDARD STATS |
|---|
| Points / game | 105.9 | 30 / 30 |
|---|
| Rebounds / game | 39.3 | 30 / 30 |
|---|
| Assists / game | 25.0 | 26 / 30 |
|---|
| Turnovers / game | 15.0 | 27 / 30 |
|---|
| Steals / game | 8.0 | 22 / 30 |
|---|
| Blocks / game | 4.3 | 23 / 30 |
|---|
| FG% | 44.3% | 30 / 30 |
|---|
| 3PT% | 34.0% | 30 / 30 |
|---|
| FT% | 78.0% | 16 / 30 |
|---|
| THE LAB MEASURES |
|---|
| eFG% | 52.0% | 30 / 30 |
|---|
| Turnover rate | 13.7% | 29 / 30 |
|---|
| Offensive rebound rate | — | — |
|---|
| Free-throw pressure | 0.272 | 13 / 30 |
|---|
| Measure | Season average | League rank |
|---|
| STANDARD STATS |
|---|
| Points / game | 120.9 | 2 / 30 |
|---|
| Rebounds / game | 46.3 | 4 / 30 |
|---|
| Assists / game | 29.0 | 5 / 30 |
|---|
| Turnovers / game | 13.1 | 8 / 30 |
|---|
| Steals / game | 8.6 | 13 / 30 |
|---|
| Blocks / game | 4.3 | 24 / 30 |
|---|
| FG% | 46.8% | 15 / 30 |
|---|
| 3PT% | 36.1% | 11 / 30 |
|---|
| FT% | 79.2% | 11 / 30 |
|---|
| THE LAB MEASURES |
|---|
| eFG% | 54.2% | 18 / 30 |
|---|
| Turnover rate | 11.2% | 5 / 30 |
|---|
| Offensive rebound rate | — | — |
|---|
| Free-throw pressure | 0.268 | 14 / 30 |
|---|
ESPN team totals and game box scores checked October 6. NBA season averages and ranks use 2025–26; preseason game results are shown separately. Ranks are within the league, with ties sharing a rank; a lower turnover rate is better. Season offensive rebound rate needs opponent defensive-rebound totals, which this feed does not supply. A dash means unavailable. This game’s offensive rebound rate uses the opponent’s actual rebounds.
How we read the Lab measures
eFG% gives a made three its extra value. Turnover rate estimates the share of plays lost before a shot. Offensive rebound rate is the share of available offensive rebounds collected. Free-throw pressure is FTA/FGA. The calculations are (FGM + 0.5 × 3PM)/FGA; TOV/(FGA + 0.44 × FTA + TOV); OREB/(OREB + opponent DREB); and FTA/FGA.
THE LAB READHow this game can be won
This is preseason. Use the team numbers as background and watch how the new lineups play together. No spread or Lab win probability is published for this game.
Brooklyn Nets · our 2026-10-03 assessment
Brooklyn Nets
Last season 20-62 | 13th in the East | Missed postseason
2025-26 efficiency 108.2 offense | 118.2 defense | -10.0 net per 100 possessions
Brooklyn finished 13th at 20-62 with the league's least efficient offense, scoring 108.2 points per 100 possessions. The team was poor in the paint and from three, so the problem extended beyond one missing skill. Michael Porter Jr. supplied real scoring, but the surrounding group did not consistently create easier shots for him or itself.
Sean Marks added Julius Randle, Keon Ellis and Moritz Wagner, while Nic Claxton moved to Chicago. Rookie Mikel Brown Jr. joins the developing guards, with Egor Demin entering his second season. Randle supplies scoring and passing that should improve the immediate floor. Day'Ron Sharpe gets a larger opportunity at center after productive reserve minutes.
The front office has improved the offense without establishing an equally clear defensive center rotation. Randle and Porter can make the team more watchable, but their scoring does not erase a defense that allowed 118.2 points per 100 possessions. Sharpe's reserve results also need to translate against starters. Brooklyn still has to identify which young guards can reliably initiate possessions and which prospects have earned a role rather than simply a draft investment.
Projected finish is 14th in the East. We expect an offensive improvement, but a stronger record can still come with a lower conference place as Indiana and Washington get more established talent on the floor. A larger jump requires the defensive group to become credible. If Porter moves during the season, even this modest forecast would need another look.
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Miami Heat · our 2026-10-03 assessment
Miami Heat
Last season 43-39 | 10th in the East | Lost in SoFi Play-In Tournament
2025-26 efficiency 115.8 offense | 113.6 defense | +2.1 net per 100 possessions
Miami finished tenth at 43-39 and exited the Play-In. The Heat's fast offense produced 24.9 percent of its possessions in transition, a remarkably large share. That pace helped compensate for ordinary half-court efficiency. The new roster gives Miami a stronger version of that advantage, while introducing a different spacing problem.
Pat Riley acquired Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis, then added Klay Thompson and Tim Hardaway Jr. Giannis and Bam Adebayo create a formidable defensive frontcourt. Thompson and Hardaway supply shooting around them, with Andrew Wiggins and Davion Mitchell giving Erik Spoelstra additional two-way pieces. Giannis' ability to turn a defensive stop into immediate rim pressure fits the desire to run.
The front office improved the star talent without making half-court organization simple. Giannis and Adebayo both need useful space near the basket, and neither routinely drags a defender to the three-point line. The new shooters help, but some of those lineups will need protection on defense. Miami also has less established perimeter creation after the trade. Spoelstra must determine how to keep both the shooting and the defensive advantages on the floor.
Projected finish is seventh in the East. Miami can be a more dangerous playoff opponent than its seed, especially when Giannis is available and the defensive pairing works. We allow for health and integration across the regular season. Buying a superstar gives the Heat a real ceiling. The remaining assignment is building enough practical lineups to reach it.
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