The NBA season tips off tonight with four of the top five teams in the opening power rankings in action against each other. Of course, the rest of the league is doing everything they can to catch up to the defending champions from Golden State, who look poised for another title run. There is plenty of intrigue, though, after an offseason that saw plenty of player movement. It’ll be interesting to see how Kyrie Irving fares in the Cleveland-Boston showdown as there was plenty of tension between the sides dating back to the Eastern Conference Finals last season.
1. Golden State Warriors
Last Week: —
NBA Title Odds: -250
The Warriors open up the season at home against Houston, and then head out on the road against New Orleans, Memphis and Dallas and then a home game against Toronto. They might be better than last season as the Warriors know how to use Kevin Durant alongside Kevin Durant, the supporting cast is back and keep an eye on Omri Casspi, whose offensive game was built for this team. Outside of a major injury, the Warriors should be on top all season.
2. Cleveland Cavaliers
Last Week: —
NBA Title Odds: +400
The Cavaliers are looking towards a fourth straight meeting with Golden State in the Finals, and they open the season against Boston, Orlando and Chicago at home, along with road games at Milwaukee and Brooklyn. LeBron James is dealing with an ankle injury heading into the season, but he should be on the court for the season opener against Boston, whom they traded Kyrie Irving to for Isaiah Thomas, who won’t be back until the new year because of his hip. Kevin Love is now the #2 option, but the Cavaliers also brought in Dwyane Wade and Derrick Rose. They might not be the best team in the East anymore, but they have James, so there is that.
3. Boston Celtics
Last Week: —
NBA Title Odds: +800
The Celtics brought in Irving to replace Thomas in the summer’s biggest trade, and Jae Crowder also went to Cleveland. Boston signed Gordon Hayward as well, and then may have drafted the most talented player available in Jayson Tatum. They’ll be on the road this week at Cleveland, Philadelphia and Milwaukee, along with home games with the Bucks and New York Knicks. It’ll be interesting to see how Brad Stevens, one of the best coaches in the league, puts this team together to challenge Cleveland.
4. San Antonio Spurs
Last Week: —
NBA Title Odds: +1200
The Spurs have home games with Minnesota and Toronto, and they visit Chicago and Miami. They didn’t do much, bringing in a motivated Rudy Gay coming off injury. The Spurs just need Kawhi Leonard to stay healthy because he is the best two-way player in the game, or at least in the top three. Also, LaMarcus Aldridge signed an extension and he needs to earn it this season.
5. Oklahoma City Thunder
Last Week: —
NBA Title Odds: +1200
The Thunder start the season at home against the Knicks, Minnesota and Indiana, and they also visit Utah. They might have had the most fascinating offseason of anyone as they turned Victor Oladipo, Damontas Sabonis, Enes Kanter, Doug McDermott and a second-round pick into Paul George and Carmelo Anthony. This persuaded reigning MVP Russell Westbrook to re-sign, and now the Thunder have three star players to challenge the Warriors. However, all three of those players need the ball, so it’ll be interesting to see how this works out.
6. Houston Rockets
Last Week: —
NBA Title Odds: +1400
The Rockets visit Golden State, Philadelphia and Sacramento this week, and then they’re at home against Dallas and Memphis. Speaking of players that need the ball, the Rockets traded a bunch of players for Chris Paul, and now the onus is on Paul to co-exist with James Harden. This could be one of the best moves of the season, or it could absolutely sink the Rockets.
7. Minnesota Timberwolves
Last Week: —
NBA Title Odds: +3500
The Timberwolves host Utah and Detroit this week, as well as road games at San Antonio and Oklahoma City. Minnesota has Jimmy Butler, they re-signed Andrew Wiggins, Karl Anthony Towns could blossom into the best center in the league and Taj Gibson adds defense and toughness. The Timberwolves haven’t made the playoffs in 13 years, and this is their best opportunity to do so.
8. Washington Wizards
Last Week: —
NBA Title Odds: +6000
The Wizards are at home to play Philadelphia and Detroit, and then on the road against Denver and the Los Angeles Lakers. They re-signed John Wall and Otto Porter, but didn’t really do much else. The Wizards feel like they’re one big move away from moving up to the Cleveland/Boston tier in the Eastern Conference. However, it was encouraging that Bradley Beal stayed healthy last season, playing a career-high 77 games; he wound up having his best season.
9. Milwaukee Bucks
Last Week: —
NBA Title Odds: +6500
The Bucks visit Boston, and then they host Cleveland, Portland, Cleveland and Charlotte. The Bucks also didn’t do much during the offseason, and they’re banking on Giannis Antetokounmpo to take one more big leap after winning the Most Improved Player award. They were better when Khris Middleton came back from injury, Greg Monroe showed flashes and Jabari Parker will hopefully be back by the All-Star break after another injury. The key here, though, is Antetokounmpo; if he takes another step towards superstardom, the Bucks can leapfrog everyone under Cleveland and Boston.
10. Toronto Raptors
Last Week: —
NBA Title Odds: +10000
The Raptors’ odds are tied with Philadelphia, but they actually made the playoffs (although the 76ers are wildly intriguing and will be on this list at some point if Joel Embiid can stay healthy). They’ll host Chicago and the 76ers, and then head out to visit San Antonio and Golden State. They re-signed Kyle Lowry and Serge Ibaka, and DeMar DeRozan said he was working on his three-point shooting, which is his major offensive weakness. But the Raptors don’t know what to do with Jonas Valanciunas, they lost a versatile piece in Patrick Patterson (to Oklahoma City) and you just don’t get the feeling that they can touch Cleveland or Boston; maybe not even Washington.
The 2017 NBA futures are out. It’s been a wild offseason already, but keep an eye on the betting lines as they move around at Diamond Sportsbook! Get the latest NBA betting lines right here.
