The NBA season officially begins, with teams setting their sights on championship glory. The defending champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder, open their campaign on October 17, 2023, against the Houston Rockets featuring star player Kevin Durant. After a pivotal offseason where the Thunder re-signed Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren to contracts totaling nearly $800 million, expectations are high for a repeat performance.
In the Western Conference, the Golden State Warriors embark on their first full season with Jimmy Butler. They will face the Los Angeles Lakers and their star, Luka Doncic, on the same night. Meanwhile, the Cleveland Cavaliers, who finished last season with an impressive 64 wins and a No. 1 seed, are poised to make a strong showing as they take on the New York Knicks, who are eager to break their Finals drought since 1999.
The season promises excitement, particularly with the return of Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs. They will challenge the Dallas Mavericks, led by Anthony Davis, in what looks to be a thrilling matchup. The question remains: can the Thunder establish a dynasty, or will the Denver Nuggets, led by three-time MVP Nikola Jokic, reclaim their position among the Western elite?
Expert Predictions for the Eastern Conference
Experts have weighed in on who will emerge victorious in the East. The predictions show a competitive landscape, with the Knicks and Cavaliers leading the pack.
Tim Bontemps forecasts a hard-fought series with the Cavaliers edging out the Knicks in seven games. Others, like Jamal Collier and Vincent Goodwill, predict the Knicks will triumph in a seven-game showdown. The final tally shows the Knicks with 8 votes and the Cavaliers with 6 votes as Eastern Conference champions.
Western Conference Predictions and NBA Finals Outlook
In the West, the Thunder dominate expert predictions, with 9 votes in favor of them winning the conference. Notable predictions include Tim MacMahon and Bobby Marks, who believe the Thunder will overcome the Nuggets in a tightly contested series.
When it comes to the NBA Finals, the Thunder again emerge as the favorites. They are predicted to face the Knicks, with several experts envisioning a 5 to 6 game series favoring the Thunder. The final tally reveals the Thunder received 9 votes for champions, while the Nuggets and Cavaliers each garnered 2 votes.
In addition, the race for the 2025-2026 MVP award is heating up. Nikola Jokic leads the predictions with 6 votes, followed closely by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with 4 votes. Other contenders include Luka Doncic and Jalen Brunson.
As the opening games approach, the excitement builds. Fans and analysts alike are eager to see how the season unfolds, with many narratives already forming around the league’s top players and teams. The 2023-2024 NBA season is set to be a thrilling journey, filled with potential surprises and fierce competition.
