Oct 22, 2024, 08:00 AM ETThe 2024-25 NBA season is officially here!The Boston Celtics begin their quest for back-to-back titles against the New York Knicks to kick off the NBA season (7:30 p.m. ET). After a dominant run through the playoffs, the Celtics enter this season as the favorites, but the depth of competition in the league won’t make it easy for Boston to repeat.The Knicks’ busy offseason, which included bringing in Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns, has title hopes high in New York, while the Philadelphia 76ers signed Paul George this offseason to maximize the prime of 2022-23 MVP Joel Embiid. Will either contender have enough star power to dethrone the Celtics in the Eastern Conference race?What lies ahead for all 30 NBA teams in 2024-25? Here are the stars, stats and bets you need to know to get ready for the season.• Rankings, predictions, odds and more
In the Western Conference, the Oklahoma City Thunder will try to build off of a memorable 2023-24 campaign during which they became the youngest No. 1 seed in NBA history. And OKC didn’t stand pat, adding key players in Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein to bolster one of the deepest rosters in the league. The Minnesota Timberwolves, who face the Los Angeles Lakers on opening night (10 p.m. ET), also are among teams with eyes on the Larry O’Brien Trophy after Anthony Edwards took a giant leap last season. And despite the talent at the top of the conference, the Lakers, Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks and Denver Nuggets could all make noise in the crowded West race.Will it be Oklahoma City-Boston in the Finals? Which other teams could crash the party? And which are most likely to be involved in trades? Our NBA experts make their picks.MORE: 30-team preview | NBA Rank 100-51 | 50-11 | 10-1The Boston Celtics look primed for another deep playoff run this season. (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)Eastern Conference finals picksKendra Andrews: Celtics over Knicks in 6Tim Bontemps: Celtics over 76ers in 6Jamal Collier: 76ers over Celtics in 7Chris Herring: Celtics over Knicks in 6Baxter Holmes: Celtics over Knicks in 7Tim MacMahon: Celtics over Bucks in 6Bobby Marks: Celtics over Knicks in 6Dave McMenamin: Celtics over Knicks in 6Kevin Pelton: Celtics over 76ers in 6Ramona Shelburne: Celtics over Sixers in 7André Snellings: Celtics over 76ers in 7Marc Spears: Celtics over Knicks in 6Michael Wright: Celtics over Bucks in 7Ohm Youngmisuk: Knicks over Celtics in 7Final tally (East champs): Celtics 12, Knicks 1, 76ers 1Can the Oklahoma City Thunder surpass Dallas in the West? (Photo by Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images)Western Conference finals picksAndrews: Thunder over Mavericks in 6Bontemps: Thunder over Nuggets in 6Collier: Thunder over Mavericks in 6Herring: Thunder over Wolves in 7Holmes: Thunder over Timberwolves in 7MacMahon: Thunder over Mavericks in 7Marks: Suns over Thunder in 7McMenamin: Timberwolves over Thunder in 6Pelton: Thunder over Suns in 6Shelburne: Thunder over Nuggets in 7Snellings: Timberwolves over Thunder in 6Spears: Thunder over Suns in 7Wright: Thunder over Mavericks in 7Youngmisuk: Thunder over Nuggets in 7Final tally (West champs): Thunder 11, Timberwolves 2, Suns 1The Celtics are hoping to become the first repeat champion in six years. Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty ImagesNBA Finals picksAndrews: Celtics over Thunder in 6Bontemps: Celtics over Thunder in 6Collier: 76ers over Thunder in 6Herring: Celtics over Thunder in 6Holmes: Celtics over Thunder in 7MacMahon: Celtics over Thunder in 7Marks: Celtics over Suns in 6McMenamin: Celtics over Wolves in 5Pelton: Thunder over Celtics in 7Shelburne: Celtics over Thunder in 7Snellings: Timberwolves over Celtics in 7Spears: Celtics over Thunder in 5Wright: Celtics over Thunder in 6Youngmisuk: Knicks over Thunder in 7Final tally (NBA champs): Celtics 10, Thunder 1, 76ers 1, Knicks 1, Timberwolves 1Will the Los Angeles Lakers make a move this season? (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)BONUS! The team most likely to be active in the trade market is the _______Andrews: HeatBontemps: 76ersCollier: HeatHolmes: LakersHerring: LakersMacMahon: JazzMarks: WarriorsMcMenamin: HeatPelton: PelicansShelburne: WarriorsSnellings: BullsSpears: WarriorsWright: LakersYoungmisuk: BucksFinal tally: Heat 3, Lakers 3, Warriors 3, Bucks 1, Bulls 1, Jazz 1, Pelicans 1, 76ers 1