The NBA season begins on Tuesday night with defending champions The Boston Celtics taking on the New York Knicks – but which teams are the ones to watch this year?
The Celtics had gone 16 years without a championship before beating the Dallas Mavericks 4-1 in the finals back in June.
Jayson Tatum stole the show on the big night as the Celtics secured a record 18th title.
But are they still the team to beat?
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Celtics look good
The last six years have seen six different teams win the NBA title so defending their crown looks a tall ask from the off for the Celtics.
But they won 64 regular season games last year and look a class above in their division. They haven’t lost any big names but have lost Kristaps Porzingis to a nasty-looking injury.
Can they go back-to-back? It will be tough but Boston look a good shout.
Will the Thunder clap?
The Oklahoma City Thunder are packed full of young talent in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren and made enough noise last year to suggest they could be on the up.
A different franchise has earned the No. 1 playoff seed in the Western Conference in each of the last seven seasons.
Who will earn the No. 1 spot this season?
The 2024-25 @NBA season tips off Tuesday, Oct. 22. pic.twitter.com/cllK5sU3S1
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) October 17, 2024
The Thunder have never won the NBA crown since joining the league in 2008 but have never looked so good.
An outside bet? You bet.
The James show – a sideshow?
LeBron James is set to begin his 22nd NBA season tomorrow night. He will tie Vince Carter for the most seasons played in league history.@KingJames and the @Lakers tip off their season when they host the @Timberwolves on opening night at 10 p.m. ET on @NBAonTNT. pic.twitter.com/BwQHxCLrII
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) October 21, 2024
The LA Lakers lost in the playoffs to the Denver Nuggets last year and responded by firing coach Darvin Ham. How well JJ Redick takes to the sidelines could be the difference between failure and success in the big city this term.
The coach is unlikely to get many headlines though as superstar LeBron James has been joined on the roster by his own son.
How big a part Bronny James plays this year remains to be seen but the moment he makes history by stepping onto the court with his father will be one of the highlights of the season.
Mavericks to go one better?
The Mavs reached the finals last year but fell to the Celtics – so could this be their year?
Klay Thompson, who won the crown four times with the Golden State Warriors, has arrived in a huge summer deal and could make the difference, while Luka Doncic is a superstar in the making.
A clash with the Warriors could be one to watch in the Western Conference for sure.
As the last few years have shown, anyonce can come through the pack to win the NBA title – it shoudl be another great year!
