2024/25 NBA Over/Unders: Pacific Division
With the 2024/25 NBA regular season set to tip off next month, we’re getting serious about predictions for the upcoming campaign and continuing an annual Hoops Rumors tradition.
With the help of the lines from a series of sports betting sites – including Bovada and BetOnline – we’re running through the predicted win totals for each of the NBA’s 30 teams, by division. In a series of team-by-team polls, you’ll get the chance to weigh in on whether you think those forecasts are too optimistic or too pessimistic.
In 2023/24, our voters went 16-14 on their over/under picks. Can you top that in ’24/25?
We’ll wrap up our series today with the Pacific Division…
Phoenix Suns
- 2023/24 record: 49-33
- Over/under for 2024/25: 48.5 wins
- Major offseason moves:
Sacramento Kings
- 2023/24 record: 46-36
- Over/under for 2024/25: 47.5 wins
- Major offseason moves:
Golden State Warriors
- 2023/24 record: 46-36
- Over/under for 2024/25: 44.5 wins
- Major offseason moves:
Los Angeles Lakers
- 2023/24 record: 47-35
- Over/under for 2024/25: 43.5 wins
- Major offseason moves:
- Added: Dalton Knecht, Bronny James
- Lost: Taurean Prince, Spencer Dinwiddie
Los Angeles Clippers
- 2023/24 record: 51-31
- Over/under for 2024/25: 39.5 wins
- Major offseason moves:
Previous voting results:
- Boston Celtics (58.5 wins): Over (69.7%)
- New York Knicks (53.5 wins): Over (58.8%)
- Philadelphia 76ers (52.5 wins): Under (51.7%)
- Toronto Raptors (30.5 wins): Under (58.7%)
- Brooklyn Nets (19.5 wins): Over (54.3%)
- Dallas Mavericks (49.5 wins): Over (78.0%)
- Memphis Grizzlies (47.5 wins): Under (65.6%)
- New Orleans Pelicans (46.5 wins): Under (60.6%)
- Houston Rockets (43.5 wins): Under (51.4%)
- San Antonio Spurs (36.5 wins): Under (52.9%)
- Orlando Magic (47.5 wins): Over (57.1%)
- Miami Heat (44.5 wins): Under (63.1%)
- Atlanta Hawks (35.5 wins): Under (66.4%)
- Charlotte Hornets (29.5 wins): Under (63.1%)
- Washington Wizards (20.5 wins): Under (56.6%)
- Oklahoma City Thunder (56.5 wins): Over (68.1%)
- Minnesota Timberwolves (52.5 wins): Over (65.2%)
- Denver Nuggets (51.5 wins): Over (54.3%)
- Utah Jazz (29.5 wins): Under (60.1%)
- Portland Trail Blazers (22.5 wins): Under (54.7%)
- Milwaukee Bucks (50.5 wins): Over (63.2%)
- Cleveland Cavaliers (48.5 wins): Under (51.6%)
- Indiana Pacers (47.5 wins): Over (57.2%)
- Chicago Bulls (28.5 wins): Under (61.9%)
- Detroit Pistons (24.5 wins): Over (60.2%)
2024/25 NBA Over/Unders: Central Division
With the 2024/25 NBA regular season set to tip off next month, we’re getting serious about predictions for the upcoming campaign and continuing an annual Hoops Rumors tradition.
With the help of the lines from a series of sports betting sites – including Bovada and BetOnline – we’re running through the predicted win totals for each of the NBA’s 30 teams, by division. In a series of team-by-team polls, you’ll get the chance to weigh in on whether you think those forecasts are too optimistic or too pessimistic.
In 2023/24, our voters went 16-14 on their over/under picks. Can you top that in ’24/25?
We’ll continue our series today with the Central Division…
Milwaukee Bucks
- 2023/24 record: 49-33
- Over/under for 2024/25: 50.5 wins
- Major offseason moves:
Cleveland Cavaliers
- 2023/24 record: 48-34
- Over/under for 2024/25: 48.5 wins
- Major offseason moves:
- Added: Jaylon Tyson
- Lost: Marcus Morris, Damian Jones
- Note: Isaac Okoro is a restricted free agent and is still considered likely to return to the Cavaliers.
Indiana Pacers
- 2023/24 record: 47-35
- Over/under for 2024/25: 47.5 wins
- Major offseason moves:
- Added: Johnny Furphy, James Wiseman
- Lost: Jalen Smith, Doug McDermott
Chicago Bulls
- 2023/24 record: 39-43
- Over/under for 2024/25: 28.5 wins
- Major offseason moves:
- Added: Josh Giddey, Jalen Smith, Matas Buzelis, Chris Duarte
- Lost: DeMar DeRozan, Alex Caruso, Andre Drummond, Javonte Green
Detroit Pistons
- 2023/24 record: 14-68
- Over/under for 2024/25: 24.5 wins
- Major offseason moves:
Previous voting results:
- Boston Celtics (58.5 wins): Over (69.7%)
- New York Knicks (53.5 wins): Over (58.8%)
- Philadelphia 76ers (52.5 wins): Under (51.7%)
- Toronto Raptors (30.5 wins): Under (58.7%)
- Brooklyn Nets (19.5 wins): Over (54.3%)
- Dallas Mavericks (49.5 wins): Over (78.0%)
- Memphis Grizzlies (47.5 wins): Under (65.6%)
- New Orleans Pelicans (46.5 wins): Under (60.6%)
- Houston Rockets (43.5 wins): Under (51.4%)
- San Antonio Spurs (36.5 wins): Under (52.9%)
- Orlando Magic (47.5 wins): Over (57.1%)
- Miami Heat (44.5 wins): Under (63.1%)
- Atlanta Hawks (35.5 wins): Under (66.4%)
- Charlotte Hornets (29.5 wins): Under (63.1%)
- Washington Wizards (20.5 wins): Under (56.6%)
- Oklahoma City Thunder (56.5 wins): Over (68.1%)
- Minnesota Timberwolves (52.5 wins): Over (65.2%)
- Denver Nuggets (51.5 wins): Over (54.3%)
- Utah Jazz (29.5 wins): Under (60.1%)
- Portland Trail Blazers (22.5 wins): Under (54.7%)
2024/25 NBA Over/Unders: Northwest Division
With the 2024/25 NBA regular season set to tip off next month, we’re getting serious about predictions for the upcoming campaign and continuing an annual Hoops Rumors tradition.
With the help of the lines from a series of sports betting sites – including Bovada and BetOnline – we’re running through the predicted win totals for each of the NBA’s 30 teams, by division. In a series of team-by-team polls, you’ll get the chance to weigh in on whether you think those forecasts are too optimistic or too pessimistic.
In 2023/24, our voters went 16-14 on their over/under picks. Can you top that in ’24/25?
We’ll continue our series today with the Northwest Division…
Oklahoma City Thunder
- 2023/24 record: 57-25
- Over/under for 2024/25: 56.5 wins
- Major offseason moves:
- Added: Isaiah Hartenstein, Alex Caruso, Dillon Jones, Nikola Topic (out for season)
- Lost: Josh Giddey, Gordon Hayward, Mike Muscala, Bismack Biyombo, Lindy Waters
Minnesota Timberwolves
- 2023/24 record: 56-26
- Over/under for 2024/25: 52.5 wins
- Major offseason moves:
Denver Nuggets
- 2023/24 record: 57-25
- Over/under for 2024/25: 51.5 wins
- Major offseason moves:
- Added: Russell Westbrook, Dario Saric, DaRon Holmes (out for season)
- Lost: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Reggie Jackson, Justin Holiday
Utah Jazz
- 2023/24 record: 31-51
- Over/under for 2024/25: 29.5 wins
- Major offseason moves:
Portland Trail Blazers
- 2023/24 record: 21-61
- Over/under for 2024/25: 22.5 wins
- Major offseason moves:
- Added: Deni Avdija, Donovan Clingan
- Lost: Malcolm Brogdon, Moses Brown
Previous voting results:
- Boston Celtics (58.5 wins): Over (69.7%)
- New York Knicks (53.5 wins): Over (58.8%)
- Philadelphia 76ers (52.5 wins): Under (51.7%)
- Toronto Raptors (30.5 wins): Under (58.7%)
- Brooklyn Nets (19.5 wins): Over (54.3%)
- Dallas Mavericks (49.5 wins): Over (78.0%)
- Memphis Grizzlies (47.5 wins): Under (65.6%)
- New Orleans Pelicans (46.5 wins): Under (60.6%)
- Houston Rockets (43.5 wins): Under (51.4%)
- San Antonio Spurs (36.5 wins): Under (52.9%)
- Orlando Magic (47.5 wins): Over (57.1%)
- Miami Heat (44.5 wins): Under (63.1%)
- Atlanta Hawks (35.5 wins): Under (66.4%)
- Charlotte Hornets (29.5 wins): Under (63.1%)
- Washington Wizards (20.5 wins): Under (56.6%)
2024/25 NBA Over/Unders: Southeast Division
With the 2024/25 NBA regular season set to tip off next month, we’re getting serious about predictions for the upcoming campaign and continuing an annual Hoops Rumors tradition.
With the help of the lines from a series of sports betting sites – including Bovada and BetOnline – we’re running through the predicted win totals for each of the NBA’s 30 teams, by division. In a series of team-by-team polls, you’ll get the chance to weigh in on whether you think those forecasts are too optimistic or too pessimistic.
In 2023/24, our voters went 16-14 on their over/under picks. Can you top that in ’24/25?
We’ll continue our series today with the Southeast Division…
Orlando Magic
- 2023/24 record: 47-35
- Over/under for 2024/25: 47.5 wins
- Major offseason moves:
- Added: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cory Joseph, Tristan Da Silva
- Lost: Markelle Fultz, Joe Ingles, Chuma Okeke
Miami Heat
- 2023/24 record: 46-36
- Over/under for 2024/25: 44.5 wins
- Major offseason moves:
- Added: Alec Burks, Kel’el Ware, Pelle Larsson
- Lost: Caleb Martin, Delon Wright, Patty Mills, Orlando Robinson
Atlanta Hawks
- 2023/24 record: 36-46
- Over/under for 2024/25: 35.5 wins
- Major offseason moves:
Charlotte Hornets
- 2023/24 record: 21-61
- Over/under for 2024/25: 29.5 wins
- Major offseason moves:
- Added: Josh Green, Tidjane Salaun, Taj Gibson
- Lost: Davis Bertans, JT Thor, Aleksej Pokusevski, Bryce McGowens
Washington Wizards
- 2023/24 record: 15-67
- Over/under for 2024/25: 20.5 wins
- Major offseason moves:
Previous voting results:
- Boston Celtics (58.5 wins): Over (69.7%)
- New York Knicks (53.5 wins): Over (58.8%)
- Philadelphia 76ers (52.5 wins): Under (51.7%)
- Toronto Raptors (30.5 wins): Under (58.7%)
- Brooklyn Nets (19.5 wins): Over (54.3%)
- Dallas Mavericks (49.5 wins): Over (78.0%)
- Memphis Grizzlies (47.5 wins): Under (65.6%)
- New Orleans Pelicans (46.5 wins): Under (60.6%)
- Houston Rockets (43.5 wins): Under (51.4%)
- San Antonio Spurs (36.5 wins): Under (52.9%)
Poll: How Will Isaac Okoro’s Situation Be Resolved?
With training camps set to begin in about three weeks, there haven’t been many updates on the NBA’s lone remaining restricted free agent, former No. 5 overall pick Isaac Okoro.
Okoro provides real value to the Cavaliers — he’s their best on-ball defender and is frequently tasked with guarding the opposing teams’ best perimeter player. Even with a major size disadvantage, Okoro did an admirable job defending Paolo Banchero in Cleveland’s first-round playoff series vs. Orlando.
The issue is on the other end of the court, where Okoro is an inconsistent shooter and scorer whom opposing defenses frequently ignore. After shooting a career-best 39.1% from three-point range in the 2023/24 regular season, he converted just 25.7% of his outside looks in the postseason.
The Cavaliers extended a qualifying offer — essentially just a one-year contract offer — to Okoro in June, granting them the right of first refusal in negotiations. That QO is worth $11,828,974. If the 23-year-old accepts the QO, he would become an unrestricted free agent in 2025.
In late July, Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com reported that the Cavs also made Okoro a multiyear offer, roughly in the range of $8-10MM annually. Cleveland certainly seems to be in the driver’s seat in negotiations and hasn’t budged on that stance, according to reports last month from Fedor and ESPN’s Brian Windhorst.
One of the primary issues for Okoro is the Pistons are the only team in the league that has cap room available, and there has been no indication they’re interested in testing the Cavaliers with a long-term offer that Cleveland could match. There also haven’t been any rumors about teams potentially using the non-taxpayer mid-level exception to make Okoro an offer.
For what it’s worth, the Cavs used the stretch provision to spread Ricky Rubio‘s $1,274,015 dead-money cap hit for 2024/25 across three seasons. Rubio will now count against Cleveland’s books for $424,672 annually through ’26/27. That might not sound significant, but it could help the Cavs re-sign Okoro while avoiding the luxury tax — a key consideration for a team whose payroll is set to balloon in ’25/26, when Evan Mobley‘s rookie scale extension kicks in.
Aside from accepting the QO, re-signing with the Cavs on a multiyear deal, or signing with another team (again, the Cavs could choose to match), there’s one other viable outcome. The Cavs reportedly discussed a sign-and-trade with the Nets involving Okoro and Dorian Finney-Smith, but it sounds like those talks didn’t get serious.
We want to know what you think. How will Okoro’s situation be resolved? Vote in our poll, then head to the comment section to share your thoughts.
2024/25 NBA Over/Unders: Southwest Division
With the 2024/25 NBA regular season set to tip off next month, we’re getting serious about predictions for the upcoming campaign and continuing an annual Hoops Rumors tradition.
With the help of the lines from a series of sports betting sites – including Bovada and BetOnline – we’re running through the predicted win totals for each of the NBA’s 30 teams, by division. In a series of team-by-team polls, you’ll get the chance to weigh in on whether you think those forecasts are too optimistic or too pessimistic.
In 2023/24, our voters went 16-14 on their over/under picks. Can you top that in ’24/25?
We’ll continue our series today with the Southwest Division…
Dallas Mavericks
- 2023/24 record: 50-32
- Over/under for 2024/25: 49.5 wins
- Major offseason moves:
- Added: Klay Thompson, Naji Marshall, Quentin Grimes, Spencer Dinwiddie
- Lost: Tim Hardaway Jr., Josh Green, Derrick Jones, Markieff Morris
- Note: Morris may still re-sign with the Mavericks, likely replacing A.J. Lawson in that scenario.
Memphis Grizzlies
- 2023/24 record: 27-55
- Over/under for 2024/25: 47.5 wins
- Major offseason moves:
- Added: Zach Edey, Jaylen Wells
- Lost: Ziaire Williams, Yuta Watanabe, Lamar Stevens
New Orleans Pelicans
- 2023/24 record: 49-33
- Over/under for 2024/25: 46.5 wins
- Major offseason moves:
Houston Rockets
- 2023/24 record: 41-41
- Over/under for 2024/25: 43.5 wins
- Major offseason moves:
- Added: Reed Sheppard, AJ Griffin
- Lost: Reggie Bullock, Boban Marjanovic
San Antonio Spurs
- 2023/24 record: 22-60
- Over/under for 2024/25: 36.5 wins
- Major offseason moves:
- Added: Chris Paul, Harrison Barnes, Stephon Castle
- Lost: Cedi Osman, Devonte’ Graham, Dominick Barlow
Previous voting results:
- Boston Celtics (58.5 wins): Over (69.7%)
- New York Knicks (53.5 wins): Over (58.8%)
- Philadelphia 76ers (52.5 wins): Under (51.7%)
- Toronto Raptors (30.5 wins): Under (58.7%)
- Brooklyn Nets (19.5 wins): Over (54.3%)
2024/25 NBA Over/Unders: Atlantic Division
With the 2024/25 NBA regular season set to tip off next month, we’re getting serious about predictions for the upcoming campaign and continuing an annual Hoops Rumors tradition.
With the help of the lines from a series of sports betting sites – including Bovada and BetOnline – we’re running through the predicted win totals for each of the NBA’s 30 teams, by division. In a series of team-by-team polls, you’ll get the chance to weigh in on whether you think those forecasts are too optimistic or too pessimistic.
In 2023/24, our voters went 16-14 on their over/under picks. Can you top that in ’24/25?
We’ll begin our series today with the Atlantic Division…
Boston Celtics
- 2023/24 record: 64-18
- Over/under for 2024/25: 58.5 wins
- Major offseason moves:
- Added: Baylor Scheierman
- Lost: Oshae Brissett, Svi Mykhailiuk
New York Knicks
- 2023/24 record: 50-32
- Over/under for 2024/25: 53.5 wins
- Major offseason moves:
Philadelphia 76ers
- 2023/24 record: 47-35
- Over/under for 2024/25: 52.5 wins
- Major offseason moves:
Toronto Raptors
- 2023/24 record: 25-57
- Over/under for 2024/25: 30.5 wins
- Major offseason moves:
Brooklyn Nets
- 2023/24 record: 32-50
- Over/under for 2024/25: 19.5 wins
- Major offseason moves:
Poll: Best Head Coaching Hire Of 2024 Offseason
As shown by our tracker, seven NBA teams underwent head coaching searches in the 2024 offseason. One of those teams — the Wizards — retained their previous head coach; Brian Keefe simply had his interim tag removed when he landed the permanent job at the end of May.
It could be difficult to judge the short-term performance of a few of the newly hired head coaches during the 2024/25 season, largely due to factors outside of their control — the Nets (Jordi Fernandez), Hornets (Charles Lee) and Pistons (J.B. Bickerstaff) will likely join the Wizards (and Keefe) near the bottom of the league’s standings.
It’s quite possible that someone from that group will eventually emerge as an excellent hire, perhaps even the best of this offseason, but it would be pretty surprising if it happens during the upcoming season. Of course, if any of those four clubs exceeds expectations in ’24/25, then the head coach (or head coaches) will garner positive attention, understandably so.
The other three teams who hired new lead coaches — the Cavaliers (Kenny Atkinson), Lakers (J.J. Redick) and Suns (Mike Budenholzer) — all made the playoffs last season, with each winning between 47 and 49 regular season games. They’ll all be hoping that new voices and schemes will help produce better results in ’24/25.
The Lakers and Suns were quickly dispatched in their first-round matchups with the Nuggets and Timberwolves, respectively, leading to the firings of Darvin Ham and Frank Vogel, the latter of whom still had four guaranteed years left on his contract. The Cavs, meanwhile, fired Bickerstaff after reaching the second round of the postseason for the first time since LeBron James left for Los Angeles.
Atkinson reportedly received support from Donovan Mitchell, who wound up signing a maximum-salary extension with Cleveland. The Cavs also gave lucrative long-term extensions to Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, doubling down on their core four that also features Darius Garland, despite external questions about how they all fit together.
Fernandez, Lee and Redick are all first-time NBA head coaches; Redick doesn’t even have experience as an assistant, though he did play in the league for 15 years. Keefe’s head coaching experience is limited — he compiled an 8-31 record as interim coach last season.
Atkinson (Nets), Bickerstaff (Rockets, Grizzlies, Cavs) and Budenholzer (Hawks, Bucks) are all veteran NBA head coaches. Budenholzer is the most accomplished of the three, compiling a 484-317 (.604 winning percentage) regular season record and 56-48 (.538 win%) postseason mark over 10 seasons with Atlanta in Milwaukee, including an NBA Championship in 2021.
That doesn’t necessarily mean that Budenholzer will find success with Phoenix. The Suns have undeniable talent at the top of the roster, led by Devin Booker and Kevin Durant, but they also have limited assets to upgrade the rest of their roster, not to mention the roster building restrictions they face as a result of operating over the second tax apron.
As for the Lakers, they had a very quiet offseason, only making a couple minor changes to the roster. While they’re in a major market and are one of the league’s marquee franchises, with plenty of media attention to match, it seems like a stretch to think that adding Redick and some veteran assistants — including two former head coaches — will be enough to get more out of a roster that has some pretty glaring flaws. Time will tell.
We want to know what you think. Which of the seven teams made the best head coaching hire this offseason?
Vote in our poll, then head to the comment section below to share your thoughts.
Poll: Who Will Win Saturday’s Gold, Bronze Medal Games?
Saturday’s gold and bronze medal matchups at the Paris Olympics may look awfully familiar to fans of international basketball.
In the battle for gold, the United States and France will meet in a rematch of the 2020 Olympic final, when Team USA beat the French team by a score of 87-82 in Tokyo.
The U.S. squad is currently a 16-point favorite in Saturday’s rematch, according to BetOnline.ag. That’s no real surprise. Team USA, with a more loaded roster than the one it took to Tokyo, dominated the group stage with a 3-0 record and a +64 point differential, while France had just a +2 point differential and needed an overtime victory over Japan to secure a 2-1 record.
But France has the home crowd on its side and has pulled off an impressive pair of upsets in the knockout round, defeating Canada and Germany in consecutive contests to get back to the gold medal game. The U.S., meanwhile, looked beatable for the first time this tournament in its semifinal vs. Serbia and needed to erase a 17-point deficit to advance to the final.
Team USA has won men’s basketball gold in every Olympics since 2004 and it would be a major surprise if it didn’t happen again, but if the French team – led by rising star Victor Wembanyama – plays like it did against Canada and Germany, it should at least be a competitive game.
As for the bronze medal matchup, it’s another rematch of a recent international showdown — Germany defeated Serbia at the 2023 FIBA World Cup last September for gold. On Saturday, the two nations will square off in the hopes of earning an Olympic medal. It would be the first Olympic men’s basketball medal for Germany or the second for Serbia, which won silver in Rio in 2016.
While Germany took last year’s gold medal game, the Serbians didn’t have star center Nikola Jokic on their World Cup roster. Having the three-time NBA MVP available for this game makes Serbia the favorite, but oddsmakers are expecting a close one — BetOnline.ag has the Germans listed as just two-point underdogs.
While Jokic has led the way for Serbia with 18.8 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game, Hawks guard Bogdan Bogdanovic has been a reliable sidekick, matching Jokic’s scoring average (18.8 PPG) while also chipping in 4.4 RPG and 4.0 APG and making 42.9% of his three-point attempts. Vasilije Micic (12.2 PPG, 5.0 APG), Filip Petrusev (9.4 PPG, 5.0 RPG), and Aleksa Avramovic (10.0 PPG) are among the team’s other key contributors.
On the other side, the Germans have been led by Dennis Schröder (18.0 PPG, 7.8 APG) and Franz Wagner (18.6 PPG, 5.2 RPG), with Daniel Theis (9.0 PPG, 8.0 RPG), Isaac Bonga (9.8 PPG, 4.2 RPG), and Moritz Wagner (8.6 PPG, 3.6 RPG) also playing significant roles.
Prior to their semifinal loss to France, Germany looked like perhaps the second-best team in the tournament, with a 4-0 record and a +60 point differential. But Serbia has been awfully good too — they’ve lose twice to the U.S., but have gone 3-0 with a +57 point differential against everyone else.
We want to know what you think. Who will win the gold and bronze medal games in Paris on Saturday?
Vote in our poll below, then head to the comment section below to share your predictions!
Poll: Who Will Win 2024 NBA Finals?
Based on what we’ve seen to this point in the 2023/24 NBA season, we have little reason to view the Celtics as anything but strong favorites entering the NBA Finals. Betting website BetOnline.ag agrees, listing them at -220 to win the series.
Boston finished the regular season with a 64-18 record, seven games ahead of any other team in the NBA, 14 games ahead of any other Eastern Conference team, and 14 games ahead of the Mavericks.
Only 21 teams in NBA history have won more games in a single regular season than the Celtics did this year, and 15 of those clubs won championships.
Only two teams in league history have had a higher regular season net rating (+11.7) than the Celtics did in 2023/24, and both of those teams (the 1996 and 1997 Bulls) won titles.
None of this year’s playoff teams has a better postseason record (12-2) or net rating (+10.8) than the Celtics. By comparison, the Mavericks are at 12-5 and +4.1.
So what’s the case against the Celtics? Well, there are a few factors to consider with Game 1 set to tip off on Thursday.
For one, will the Celtics have a healthy Kristaps Porzingis? The big man intends to suit up on Thursday, barring a setback, but he admitted to reporters on Tuesday that he’s not sure whether he’s 100% after being sidelined for approximately five weeks due to a calf strain that forced him to miss two full rounds of the playoffs.
If Porzingis is unavailable or unable to perform at his usual level, it would reduce the Celtics’ offensive options and limit their ability to protect the rim on defense. The Mavericks have thrived this postseason in part by letting centers Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively hang out near the basket to defend the paint, allowing rival big men to let it fly from beyond the arc. That would be a more difficult strategy to deploy vs. Boston if Porzingis (who made 37.5% of 5.1 threes per game this season) is back in form.
The more difficult path the Mavericks traveled to reach the NBA Finals may be another point in their favor. None of the teams the Celtics defeated en route to the Finals had a top-10 record or a top-nine net rating during the regular season, and all three were missing their best players for part or all of the series vs. Boston (Jimmy Butler for Miami, Donovan Mitchell for Cleveland, and Tyrese Haliburton for Indiana).
Dallas, on the other hand, ran through three of the Western Conference’s top four seeds, knocking off a Clippers team that ranked seventh in net rating during the regular season before going on to upset the Thunder (No. 2 in net rating) and Timberwolves (No. 3). The Mavs weren’t supposed to make it this far, which means they’re essentially playing with house money at this point, whereas the Celtics – following a series of playoff letdowns in recent years – are in championship-or-bust mode and may be feeling more pressure.
Finally, while the Celtics had the strongest, most well-rounded starting lineup of any NBA team this season, the Mavericks showed in the Western Conference finals vs. Minnesota that if their stars – Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving – are the best players on the court, they can get enough from their role players to beat a team with a more talented supporting cast. Boston will have plenty of talented defenders to throw at Doncic and Irving, including Jrue Holiday and Derrick White, but if the Mavs’ star guards can outplay Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, they’ll have a chance.
We want to know what you think. Are there enough compelling reasons to believe the Mavericks can pull off the upset and become the NBA’s 2024 champions, or will Boston cap off a dominant season by winning its record-setting 18th title?
Vote in our poll, then head to the comment section below to share your predictions!