How much do we trust these NBA title contenders?
Our experts analyze the confidence level of several teams that have the potential to dethrone the Thunder.
He Oklahoma City Thunder continue as the big favorite (+135) of the bets to repeat as the champion of the NBA. Behind them, there are several candidates who seem to have the resources and potential to fight for the Larry O’Brien trophy.
The Boston Celtics, San Antonio Spurs, Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Lakers, Detroit Pistons and New York Knicks They appear, according to our experts and the bets, in that group of candidates.
But how much do we trust them? Our writers analyze the level of trust they have in each of these.
Confidence level: 8
The great virtue of playing in an Eastern Conference in which the other candidate, the Detroit Pistons, lost their best player in Cade Cunningham, cannot be ignored. Boston They started the year thinking that, possibly, they would be among the Draft lottery since Jayson Tatum He was in doubt of playing this season due to his injury. The Celtics They left the team completely in the hands of their other superstar, Jaylen Brown since the management got rid of players like Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday. We have all seen the surprising result in the last five months, and today – with tatum back – Boston dreams of its 19th championship.
It’s not just the fact that we’re in a diminished East, but if we take into account the March 25 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder, the team is more than prepared to compete with the cream of the Western Conference as well.
brown He’s a clear MVP (or at least first-team All-NBA) contender with 28.6 points, seven rebounds and 5.2 assists per game this season, and Joe Mazzulla should be considered as a potential Coach of the Year, as the team compiled a 41-22 record without tatum this year and did not become unbalanced upon his return. At the moment, they are four games behind Detroit for the top of the Conference and the number one seed, but with Cunningham who could be less than one hundred percent, there are few who would refuse to think that Boston He will be a favorite in a hypothetical series between the two. — -Eric Gomez
Confidence level: 7.5
The expectations of the Nuggets At the beginning of the season they were higher than what they have achieved after 74 games played. Today they are fourth in the West (46-28) and it is difficult for them to climb positions in the table.
Nikola JokicWhen not!, he has a sublime season and in the month of March he only has averages of 27.8 points, 12.8 rebounds and 11.3 assists. Jamal Murray He is his faithful squire with 25.9 points, 6.0 assists and 43.4% in triples in that same period. If they are good, anything is possible for Denver.
But the supporting actors have suffered injuries and that can be felt in the playoffs: Aaron Gordon He missed 43 games, Peyton Watson 23, Cam Johnson 36 and Christian Braun 26, which is why at Nuggets They have not been able to gain the consistency that is required in the playoffs.
There is plenty of depth, quality and talent in the squad, but in the most important stage of the year it is extremely necessary to stay healthy. If they achieve it, the chances of winning a title like in 2023 increase. Otherwise, a possible quick exit in the second round could inevitably occur. — Marcelo Bousquet
Confidence level: 6.5
The Lakers They are coming from strength to strength in the season, playing their best basketball at the right time as we approach the postseason. They look firmly in the top four, with an advantage to finish third in the West, which would mean exceeding expectations regarding the start of the season.
But are they real contenders? Although they have found their best game in the hands of a Luka Doncic which has been unstoppable recently, in conjunction with LeBron James and Austin Reavesthe level of confidence in the team for the postseason does not necessarily reflect the current good moment of the team.
Doubts on offense are masked by the individual play of Doncicand defense remains a big question mark overall: point differential Lakers is the worst among the best teams in the West by two points.
The trust in Lakers It will depend a lot on the matchups in the postseason. –– Victor O. López-Hernández
Confidence level: 8
Rapid youth development Spurs It has been one of the great stories of the season, exceeding initial expectations not only to be the second best team in the West, but to position itself as the quintet best equipped to stop the Thunder. And although there are many reasons to defend this hypothesis, the initial answer is the same that leaves Saint Anthony anticipating the future with a smile: Victor Wembanyama.
Wemby He has been a force this season and should finish in the top three for MVP, the first of many individual awards he will compete for throughout his career. His leadership and maturity reach his physical gifts still in full development, while he leads a team of Saint Anthony who has been playing good basketball consistently throughout the season.
Sure, the experience factor and lack of consistent three-point shooting could derail the Spurs’ playoff run, but very few teams can match up with their dynamic point guard/shooting trio. De’Aaron Fox, Stephen Castle and the rookie Dylan Harperand Wemby It is in its own class.
Maybe it’s too early to believe in the Spursbut I am firmly on his train. — Victor O. López-Hernández
Confidence level: 5, if Cunningham returns
The shot he made Daniss Jenkins to defeat the Los Angeles Lakers closed a heroic night for the guard, cut the positive streak of the team led by Luka Doncic and raised the confidence of Detroit Pistons in the epilogue of a remarkable season for those led by JB Bickerstaff.
The Pistonswho two seasons ago were the worst in the NBA, built a path based on work, defensive commitment and team play. They did not despair and everyone fulfilled their role.
The number 1 in the East is very close to securing that position heading into the playoffs. Everything indicated that they could dream of achieving the NBA Finals. However, there is a problem as big as this team’s progress: the absence of Cade Cunningham without a specific date to return to the fields.
The great star of the Pistonswho averages 24.5 points, 9.9 assists and 5.6 rebounds. He is the absolute leader of a team that without him cannot hope to go far in the playoffs. The possibilities, or not, of dreaming big depend exclusively on the number 1 in the 2021 Draft recovering from his collapsed lung and being ready to compete in the postseason. — Pablo Cormick
1:45
Detroit Pistons don’t seem to miss Cade Cunningham much
Eric Gómez and his analysis of how the Pistons are doing since their star player is absent.
Confidence level: 7
When on December 16 last New York Knicks They lifted the trophy in Las Vegas as champions of the NBA Cupthe hopes of the fans and the team to win the Finals rose higher than the Empire State.
But, beyond the drunkenness caused by ‘drinking the cup’, what is the assumption that the New York quintet can win the third championship in its history based on?
This trust is based on three pillars: one, the performance that the duo of Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns. Both total more than 20 points on average per game, which puts them in the enviable position of not depending on just one of them.
Two, the contribution given by the bench players. Unlike last season, he now seems capable of adding the points on the board and the minutes on the court that allow the starters to survive the long and physical playoffs of the postseason. So, Mitchell Robinson, Mohamed Diawara, Jordan Clarkson and Jose Alvarado They raise their hand to also be important spark plugs.
Three, the renewed mentality and desire to win the championship that the coach will instill in the playoffs Mike Brown.
The way in which Knicks They were eliminated in the Eastern Conference finals against the Indiana Pacers seemed to be the reason why the team lost faith in Tom Thibodeau. Brown aims to be less obtuse than his predecessor in the adjustments the team requires during the playoffs. Take care of the minutes that the starters add so that they do not arrive fatigued at the end of the games and, very important, design strategies that allow KAT be, finally, the anchor and not a player who is criticized for being lukewarm and getting into foul trouble early. –– Alfonso Mancilla
