MY ACCOUNT
The start of a new NBA season is almost upon us, with the opening matches on Tuesday, October 18, with fresh hope for every franchise that this is their year to lift the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
Defending champions Golden State Warriors are aiming for their eighth Championship, having reached the finals in six of the last eight years.
Meanwhile, victory for either the Los Angeles Lakers or the Boston Celtics this season will mean they have won more titles than any other franchise — with both currently tied on 17.
Western Conference: Suns can repeat
Despite pre-season turmoil, Golden State will start the season as favourites to win the Western Conference and much will depend again on their main man — Steph Curry.
The two-time NBA MVP topped the three-point stats, averaging 4.5 per game, and scored 187 points across the six games in the finals, helping GSW to a 4-2 series win over the Celtics.
Ahead of the new season though, their preparations have been overshadowed by a on-court fight between Draymond Green and Jordan Poole, with Steve Kerr admitting it is the ‘biggest crisis’ he has faced as Golden State coach.
The Warriors finished third in the Western Conference in the regular season but their big-game experience proved crucial in the play-offs, something which could be key for another hopeful — the Phoenix Suns.
Having reached the finals in the 2020-21 season, Monty Williams’ men finished top of the Conference last term, before losing to the Dallas Mavericks in the Conference semi-finals.
Despite missing out on the play-offs last season, the Los Angeles Clippers are moving in the right direction.
Paul George finished inside the top 20 points scorers last season, averaging 24.3 per game, while two-time champion Kawhi Leonard could be the key to any success.
The Lakers missed the play-offs in 2021-22, after finishing 11th with a 33-49 record as injuries took their toll.
LeBron James played just 56 of their 82 regular season games, while Anthony Davis made just 40 appearances.
If James and Davis can stay fit and Russell Westbrook plays at a consistent level, the 17-time champions still have a chance to lift the trophy again.
Eastern Conference: Bucks to bounce back
Miami Heat topped the Eastern Conference last season — before losing to the Celtics in the Conference Finals — and in Tyler Herro, they have one of the best young players in the league.
There will be more of an idea as to where the Heat are at after the first couple of weeks of the new season, with early match-ups against Eastern rivals Chicago, Boston and Toronto.
Having won the Championship in 2020-21, the Milwaukee Bucks lost to the Celtics in the Conference semi-finals last term but will be back stronger this time around.
Giannis Antetokounmpo will be refreshed, after several injury issues last term, and the Bucks will be determined to go deep again.
Boston have reached the play-offs for eight consecutive seasons but also go into this campaign with concerns hanging over them, following the one-season suspension of coach Ime Udoka.
His assistant Joe Mazzulla will take charge of the Celtics, who will need another big season from Jayson Tatum — after the small forward’s 26.9 average last term.
The Brooklyn Nets started last season among the favourites, but injuries played a big part in the Nets falling at the first hurdle of the play-offs.
Kevin Durant played just 55 of their 82 regular season games, while Kyrie Irving only featured 29 times as they finished seventh in the Eastern Conference.
The addition of the experienced Seth Curry, younger brother of Steph, should also strengthen them.
Big things are expected of the Philadelphia 76ers this season in what will be James Harden’s first full campaign with the franchise, having joined from Brooklyn in February.
In Joel Embiid, the 76ers had the league’s leading scorer in 2021-22 with an average of 30.6 points, but there are question marks over their strength in depth.
Prediction
With the pre-season problems in the locker room at Golden State, the value in the Western Conference appears to come in the shape of the Suns.
The Suns have finished first and second in their Conference in the last two years and Williams’ squad are a tempting 5/1 via LiveScore Bet to finish top of the West.
In the East, the Nets look a healthy price at 16/5 to take top spot, with star man Durant desperate to pick up a third Championship ring at the age of 34.
It is not unusual for the regular season’s top team to fall short in the play-offs and it is the Bucks who offer real value in the NBA Finals Winner market at 8/1.
Their recent experience of winning the Championship in 2021, has added real belief to the roster and Giannis — 6/1 to win Regular Season MVP — thrives on the pressure of leading the team.
