Just one group – in its present configuration – answered all the massive questions it confronted, together with the massive one: “Are they adequate to win a hoop?”
Because of this everyone seems to be chasing the Boston Celtics: They answered all of the questions final June and introduced again the seven finest gamers from their championship rotation. For all the opposite groups dreaming of a title, Boston units the bar they need to clear.
What are the largest threats to Boston? Let’s break it down.
Who’s the favourite to win the 2025 NBA Finals?
The Boston Celtics and it isn’t shut. The Celtics aren’t solely the betting favorites, however they’re virtually half as a lot as the subsequent group on the board. Listed below are the highest 10 groups with the bottom odds, by way of our companions at Wager MGM.
Boston Celtics +325
Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder +675
New York Knicks +700
Philadelphia 76ers +1000
Denver Nuggets +1100
Dallas Mavericks +1100
Minnesota Timberwolves +1100
Milwaukee Bucks +1400
Phoenix Suns +1500
Which Jap Convention group poses the largest menace to the Boston Celtics?
New York Knicks
New York – which had the second-best report within the East final season and reached the second spherical of the playoffs till accidents knocked them out – has critically improved this offseason in a method that matches nicely with Boston .
First, they added Mikal Bridges (at the price of 5 first-round picks), a high quality two-way wing who could be a secondary shot creator subsequent to Jalen Brunson and house the ground. Most significantly, Bridges is a stable defender on the perimeter and, paired with OG Anunoby, provides the Knicks pretty much as good a matchup towards Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown as any group within the league.
Then New York added Karl-Anthony Cities in a commerce that caught the league (and Cities) off guard. Cities energizes the Knicks’ offense, and together with his capacity to shoot 3s and house the ground — New York can now play five-and-outs — that can take Kristaps Porzingis and the Celtics’ rim protectors out of the paint, opening up lanes site visitors for Brunson.
There are questions of self-defense and depth that this Knicks group should reply, however New York is healthier positioned than any group within the convention to pose a menace to Boston, each for the highest seed n #1 and within the playoffs.
Which Western Convention group poses the largest menace to the Boston Celtics?
Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder
This group is second in championship odds for good purpose, beginning with the truth that they’re the favourite within the West and if that is the case, then they obtain their invitation to the massive dance and an opportunity to Boston (or whoever comes from the East).
The Thunder’s offense begins with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who averaged 30.2 factors, 6.2 assists and 5.2 rebounds per recreation final season. He is surrounded by younger, rising gamers who ought to make vital strides this season, specifically Jalen Williams on the wing and Chet Holmgren within the paint.
Whereas OKC completed top-five on offense and protection final season, the playoffs confirmed some weak spots — and administration stuffed them this summer season. The Thunder wanted extra guard depth, they received Alex Caruso, one other elite perimeter defender – Caruso and Lu Dort can compete with nearly anybody – who can knock down the three. The Thunder had Needing extra quantity up entrance, they received Isaiah Hartenstein as a defender. free agent, simply after his spectacular run with the Knicks within the playoffs.
This group realized the teachings of the playoffs a season in the past and is able to take the subsequent step, and they’re one of many few groups that may match Boston’s expertise.
Different groups that pose a menace to the Celtics
Three different groups make this listing.
Philadelphia 76ers
Daryl Morey’s large gamble was cashed on this summer season when he signed Paul George to play between MVP middle Joel Embiid and rising All-Star level guard Tyrese Maxey. This makes the Massive Three as harmful as any within the league, they usually pose a menace to Boston.
Morey did a great job including depth round that core with the cash he had left with gamers reminiscent of Caleb Martin, Eric Gordon, Kelly Oubre Jr. and Andre Drummond. There are two challenges, and the primary is for coach Nick Nurse to convey all this expertise collectively, which might take a while.
The larger query is well being: Embiid and George have lengthy harm histories within the postseason and Philly must get them each wholesome into the postseason to have an opportunity. However they’ve an opportunity.
Dallas Mavericks
Final season’s Western Convention runners-up improved with the addition of Klay Thompson to house the court docket alongside Luka Doncic and Klay Thompson. Whereas there are defensive questions, coach Jason Kidd and Dallas are betting {that a} full season with facilities Derek Vigorous II and Daniel Gafford on the 5 can resolve lots of these points. Do not sleep on pickup Naji Marshall this summer season both, he might be enormous for them.
Dallas made it to the Finals and in the event that they take that step ahead, possibly the end result towards Boston will likely be totally different this time.
The nuggets of Denver
It’s normal in NBA previews to ask, “Is the Denver Nuggets window closed?” Did they let too many good gamers go to pose a menace to win all of it (Kentavious Caldwell-Pope being the most recent)?
The Nuggets nonetheless have the most effective participant on the planet in Nikola Jokic, and arguably the most effective pick-and-roll tandem within the league in Jokic and Jamal Murray. There are nonetheless stable gamers round them like Aaron Gordon. Denver’s margin for error could also be smaller, but when Murray will get his rhythm again, this group is a menace to beat anybody.
