With the NBA season already somewhat underway, some would say that a preview of a season that has already started would be pointless. I would disagree because the season goes on until mid-spring and I need something to write about this month. So, this is your comprehensive guide on some of the key teams in the NBA season.
Starting with the defending champions of the NBA, the Boston Celtics are looking to go back-to-back and secure another title to their historic franchise. The roster is the exact same as last year, led by the dynamic duo of Jason Tatum and Jaylen Brown the Celtics plan on dominating the NBA for a second year in a row and they currently have the best odds to win again with ESPN odds putting them at +225.
The next team we’ll cover is the one that lost the finals, the Dallas Mavericks. The Mavs are still led by the electric Luka Doncic and the veteran Kyrie Irving. The Mavericks added Small Forward Klay Thompson from the Golden State Warriors to add a boost to the Mavs 3-point offense. While they are not the most favored team in the west to go to the championship, they are 4th in the odds with +1100 odds.
Heading back to the Eastern conference, the Milwaukee Bucks are looking to rebound from a disappointing 2023-24 season. The team is still chalked with stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard, Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez. The Bucks did add Small Forward Taurean Prince, but no major additions outside of that. The big question surrounding their season was whether coach Doc Rivers can lead the Bucks to major success after failing to do so when coaching the 76ers. Their odds of getting to the finals this year are +1800.
Going to the favorites to win the West, the Oklahoma City Thunder are a young team ready to compete on the biggest stage of the NBA, another team loaded with stars like Shai Gilgeous Alexander, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, Alex Caruso and Isiah Hartenstein. With two of those stars being added over the past offseason, the Thunder plan to go all in this season and are currently second in the championship odds at +450.
The last team we are going to look at is one of the consistent dark horse teams to win the NBA finals. The Miami Heat are the definition of postseason risers, countless times the
Heat have finished the season in the middle of the pack just to end up in the semifinals or the NBA finals. Led by stars Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo, this is a team that any good NBA fan should have their eye on in the last few months of the season.
Overall, another NBA season is on the way and all we can do now is watch and see how this season unfolds and who will be crowned 2024-25 NBA champions.
