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With the 2023-24 NBA season just
a few months away, it's time to start thinking about who the favorites are to
make it to the NBA Finals. While it's still too early to say for sure, there
are a few teams that stand out as the most likely to make a deep run in the
playoffs.
In the Western Conference, the Phoenix
Suns are the clear favorites. They return a team that was just one win away
from winning the championship last season, led by Devin Booker, Chris Paul, and
Deandre Ayton. The Suns have one of the most balanced and talented rosters in
the league, and they're expected to be one of the top contenders again this
year.
Other teams in the West that
could make a run at the Finals include the Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Lakers,
and Golden State Warriors. The Nuggets have a young and talented core led by
Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. The Lakers have added some new pieces in the
offseason, including Patrick Beverley and Troy Brown Jr., and they're hoping
that LeBron James and Anthony Davis can stay healthy. The Warriors are still
trying to find their footing after the departure of Kevin Durant, but they're
still a dangerous team with Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green.
In the Eastern Conference, the Boston
Celtics are the favorites to reach the Finals. They return a team that made it
to the NBA Finals last season, led by Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Marcus
Smart. The Celtics have added some new pieces in the offseason, including
Danilo Gallinari and Malcolm Brogdon, and they're expected to be even better
this year.
Other teams in the East that
could make a run at the Finals include the Milwaukee Bucks, Philadelphia 76ers,
and Miami Heat. The Bucks are the defending champions, and they're led by
Giannis Antetokounmpo. The 76ers have a duo of superstars in Joel Embiid and
James Harden. The Heat are always a tough team to beat, and they're led by
Jimmy Butler and Kyle Lowry.
Here are some early
predictions for the 2024 NBA Finals:
Suns vs. Celtics
This would be a matchup of two of
the most talented teams in the league. The Suns have a high-powered offense led
by Booker and Paul, while the Celtics have a strong defense led by Tatum and
Brown. This would be a very competitive series, but the Suns have the slight
edge thanks to their experience and depth.
Nuggets vs. Bucks
This would be a rematch of the
2021 Western Conference Finals. The Nuggets are a young and talented team led
by Jokic and Murray, while the Bucks are the defending champions led by
Antetokounmpo. This would be a very physical series, but the Nuggets have the
edge thanks to their home-court advantage and their ability to score the ball.
Suns vs. Bucks
This would be a rematch of the
2021 NBA Finals. The Suns are the best team in the West, while the Bucks are
the best team in the East. This would be a very competitive series, but the
Suns have the slight edge thanks to their offense and their experience.
It's important to note that these
are just early predictions and anything can happen in the NBA playoffs.
However, these are the teams that are most likely to make it to the NBA Finals
in 2024.
In addition to the
teams listed above, here are a few other teams that could make a surprise run
at the NBA Finals in 2024:
- Memphis Grizzlies
- Dallas Mavericks
- Toronto Raptors
- Chicago Bulls
- New York Knicks
These teams all have young and
talented players who are capable of making a big impact in the playoffs. If
they can stay healthy and play their best basketball, they could make a deep
run.
