The 2024-25 NBA season has officially commenced, with the Boston Celtics kicking off their title defense against the New York Knicks at 7:30 p.m. ET. The Celtics enter the season as favorites following a dominant playoff performance last year, but the competition is fierce, and repeating as champions won’t be an easy task.
The Knicks have made significant moves during the offseason, including acquiring Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns, fueling hopes for their first championship in over 50 years. Meanwhile, the Philadelphia 76ers have strengthened their roster by signing Paul George to complement their star player, 2022-23 MVP Joel Embiid.
In the Western Conference, the Oklahoma City Thunder, fresh off a historic season where they became the youngest No. 1 seed in NBA history, are looking to build on their success. The Thunder have bolstered their roster with the addition of players like Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein. The Minnesota Timberwolves also hope to contend for the title, featuring a strong performance from Anthony Edwards last season. Other teams, including the Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks, and Denver Nuggets, are expected to be competitive in the West.
NBA experts have made their predictions for the upcoming playoff matchups. In the Eastern Conference, the majority anticipate the Celtics advancing past the Knicks, while a few analysts see the 76ers as a contender. In the Western Conference, most experts favor the Thunder to prevail over the Mavericks and other teams.
As the Celtics aim to become the first team to win back-to-back championships in six years, the experts have also weighed in on potential trade activity, naming the Miami Heat, Los Angeles Lakers, and Golden State Warriors as likely to be active in the market.
With the season underway, fans are eager to see how the matchups unfold and which teams will make significant moves as they pursue the coveted Larry O’Brien Trophy.