The highly anticipated 2024-25 NBA season is officially underway, and fans are eager to see which teams will rise to the top and compete for the coveted Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy. With the talent-laden landscape of the league, predicting the outcome is no easy task. ESPN assembled a panel of NBA experts to weigh in with their picks for the Eastern and Western Conference champions and the ultimate NBA Finals winner.
Eastern Conference: Celtics Favored to Repeat
In the East, the defending champion Boston Celtics are the overwhelming favorite to reach the Finals once again. Twelve out of fourteen experts picked the Celtics to emerge from the conference, with the Philadelphia 76ers and New York Knicks each receiving one vote. The Celtics’ depth, experience, and star power make them a formidable opponent for any team in the East.
The Sixers, bolstered by the addition of All-Star Paul George in the offseason, are seen as the Celtics’ biggest threat. The tandem of Joel Embiid and Paul George gives Philadelphia a potent one-two punch that could challenge Boston. The Knicks also made significant moves, adding Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns to a core that exceeded expectations last season.
Other Eastern Contenders
While the Celtics, Sixers, and Knicks garnered the most attention, several other teams could make noise in the East. The Milwaukee Bucks, led by perennial MVP candidate Giannis Antetokounmpo, are always a threat. The Miami Heat, Atlanta Hawks, and Brooklyn Nets also have the talent to make deep playoff runs if things break right.
Western Conference: Thunder the Team to Beat
Out West, the Oklahoma City Thunder are the clear favorite after their historic run to the top seed last season with the youngest roster to ever do so. Eleven experts picked OKC to win the conference, with the Minnesota Timberwolves getting two votes and the Phoenix Suns one. The Thunder’s incredible depth and the star power of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren make them a nightmare matchup.
The Timberwolves, coming off a breakthrough season from Anthony Edwards, are seen as the Thunder’s top challenger. The Suns and Denver Nuggets also received consideration, while the Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers are threats if their stars align.
Potential Western Spoilers
In a conference as deep as the West, several other teams could emerge as contenders. The Los Angeles Clippers, Golden State Warriors, New Orleans Pelicans, and Memphis Grizzlies all possess the star power and depth to challenge the top teams if they put it together.
NBA Finals Predictions: Celtics Heavily Favored
When it comes to predicting the NBA champion, the Celtics are the overwhelming favorite. Ten experts pick Boston to repeat, with the Thunder, Wolves, Sixers, and Knicks each receiving one vote to win it all. The Celtics’ combination of experience, depth, coaching, and home-court advantage makes them a daunting Finals opponent for whoever emerges from the West.
Finals Matchups to Watch
The most predicted Finals matchup is Celtics vs. Thunder, a meeting of the present juggernaut vs. the future of the league. Other intriguing potential matchups include:
- Celtics vs. Wolves: A battle of star wings in Jayson Tatum and Anthony Edwards
- Sixers vs. Thunder: An MVP showcase with Joel Embiid and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
- Knicks vs. Thunder: The big-market Knicks against the small-market darlings
Teams to Watch on the Trade Market
As the season unfolds, several teams could look to make moves to either vault into contention or build for the future. The Lakers, Heat, and Warriors each received three votes as the teams most likely to be active on the trade market. The Lakers are always in win-now mode with LeBron James but are light on assets. The Heat could look to add a piece to return to the Finals, while the Warriors may need to retool on the fly around Stephen Curry.
The 76ers, Bulls, Bucks, Jazz, and Pelicans also received votes as potential trade market players. With a wide-open landscape, one key addition could significantly alter the championship picture.
An Unpredictable and Exciting Season Ahead
With so much star power and depth across the league, the 2024-25 NBA season is shaping up to be a thrilling and unpredictable ride. Can the Celtics become the first repeat champions since the Warriors in 2018? Will a new contender emerge to take the crown? As the action unfolds, one thing is certain—basketball fans are in for a treat as the best players in the world chase glory on the game’s biggest stage.
The Sixers, bolstered by the addition of All-Star Paul George in the offseason, are seen as the Celtics’ biggest threat. The tandem of Joel Embiid and Paul George gives Philadelphia a potent one-two punch that could challenge Boston. The Knicks also made significant moves, adding Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns to a core that exceeded expectations last season.
Other Eastern Contenders
While the Celtics, Sixers, and Knicks garnered the most attention, several other teams could make noise in the East. The Milwaukee Bucks, led by perennial MVP candidate Giannis Antetokounmpo, are always a threat. The Miami Heat, Atlanta Hawks, and Brooklyn Nets also have the talent to make deep playoff runs if things break right.
Western Conference: Thunder the Team to Beat
Out West, the Oklahoma City Thunder are the clear favorite after their historic run to the top seed last season with the youngest roster to ever do so. Eleven experts picked OKC to win the conference, with the Minnesota Timberwolves getting two votes and the Phoenix Suns one. The Thunder’s incredible depth and the star power of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren make them a nightmare matchup.
The Timberwolves, coming off a breakthrough season from Anthony Edwards, are seen as the Thunder’s top challenger. The Suns and Denver Nuggets also received consideration, while the Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers are threats if their stars align.
Potential Western Spoilers
In a conference as deep as the West, several other teams could emerge as contenders. The Los Angeles Clippers, Golden State Warriors, New Orleans Pelicans, and Memphis Grizzlies all possess the star power and depth to challenge the top teams if they put it together.
NBA Finals Predictions: Celtics Heavily Favored
When it comes to predicting the NBA champion, the Celtics are the overwhelming favorite. Ten experts pick Boston to repeat, with the Thunder, Wolves, Sixers, and Knicks each receiving one vote to win it all. The Celtics’ combination of experience, depth, coaching, and home-court advantage makes them a daunting Finals opponent for whoever emerges from the West.
Finals Matchups to Watch
The most predicted Finals matchup is Celtics vs. Thunder, a meeting of the present juggernaut vs. the future of the league. Other intriguing potential matchups include:
- Celtics vs. Wolves: A battle of star wings in Jayson Tatum and Anthony Edwards
- Sixers vs. Thunder: An MVP showcase with Joel Embiid and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
- Knicks vs. Thunder: The big-market Knicks against the small-market darlings
Teams to Watch on the Trade Market
As the season unfolds, several teams could look to make moves to either vault into contention or build for the future. The Lakers, Heat, and Warriors each received three votes as the teams most likely to be active on the trade market. The Lakers are always in win-now mode with LeBron James but are light on assets. The Heat could look to add a piece to return to the Finals, while the Warriors may need to retool on the fly around Stephen Curry.
The 76ers, Bulls, Bucks, Jazz, and Pelicans also received votes as potential trade market players. With a wide-open landscape, one key addition could significantly alter the championship picture.
An Unpredictable and Exciting Season Ahead
With so much star power and depth across the league, the 2024-25 NBA season is shaping up to be a thrilling and unpredictable ride. Can the Celtics become the first repeat champions since the Warriors in 2018? Will a new contender emerge to take the crown? As the action unfolds, one thing is certain—basketball fans are in for a treat as the best players in the world chase glory on the game’s biggest stage.
