NBA – 2018/19 Season Preview – What You Need To Know

The 2018/19 NBA season is now underway with the next six months set to take us on a roller coaster ride as we find out who will be crowned NBA Champions in April 2019.

As always, you can rely on The Sporting Base to provide you with an in-depth look at the main chances which can be found below.

Winners of each regional conference:

Central Division – Milwaukee Bucks

With Lebron James departing the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Central Division is up for grabs and potentially anyone’s for the taking. We expect the appointment of Mike Budenholzer to be a positive move for the Bucks with a very talented pool of youngsters at his disposal including one of the favourites for the MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.

SouthEast Division – Washington Wizards

Expect the Washington Wizards to again be true to their form in past seasons. In three of the last five years, the Wizards have reached the playoffs, won their division, only to fall short at the next hurdle. Signing Dwight Howard in the offseason is a huge coup for Wizards fans but expect them not to have enough ammunition against the powerhouses of the Eastern Conference.

SouthWest Division – Houston Rockets

Last year the Houston Rockets showed that they were a serious challenger in the Western Conference. They proved sceptic’s wrong last season, this time they need to show the NBA fans that they can do it again. Trevor Ariza and Luc Mbah a Moute are big departures for the Rockets, but they welcome Carmelo Anthony who will join stars James Harden and Chris Paul. Golden State Warriors look almost unbeatable in the Western Conference, the Rockets appear the only team that’s a chance of stopping them from reaching the Championship Playoffs.

NorthWest Division – Oklahoma City Thunder

Oklahoma City Thunder looked genuine Championship contenders at the start of last season. The inclusions of Paul George and Carmelo Anthony made them look on paper, a force to be reckoned with. Things didn’t pan out that way with OKC succumbing to defeat at the hands of the Utah Jazz in the first round. Anthony departs but they gain handy recruits Nerlens Noel and Dennis Schroder. As mentioned already, the Western Conference is tough draw and expect the better teams to be too classy.

Pacific Division – Golden State Warriors

See below for a more in-depth assessment of the Golden State Warriors.

Atlantic Division – Boston Celtics

Boston Celtics appear to have a starting five that could really challenge the Golden State Warriors. With the likes of Kyrie Irving, Jaylen Brown, Gordon Hayward, Jayson Tatum and Al Horford, they have the ability offensively and defensively that few teams in the league possess. Irving and Hayward missed large amounts of last season and having them fit is of huge importance. Expect a tantalising Championship playoffs if they reach the final against GSW.

The Sporting Base prediction:

Eastern Conference – Boston Celtics to play Golden State Warriors Western Conference
in the 2018/2019 NBA Championship Playoffs

NBA Championship Winners 2018/19

Golden State Warriors $1.57

Starting Five
Steph Curry
Kevin Durant
Draymond Green
Klay Thompson
Jordan Bell

Last season the Warriors won the Larry O’Brien Championship for the second straight year, with Championship rings in three of the last four seasons, an unbelievable feat. Their star power is unrivalled in the league with Steph Curry and Kevin Durant seemingly working in complete harmony. But it wasn’t all smooth sailing last season, Curry managed only 51 games with a recurring ankle injury and during playoffs trailed Houston 3-2, until a hamstring injury struck Chris Paul and the Warriors were able to turn the tables. Coach Steve Kerr has the pleasure of marshalling his troops in what looks to be another successful year for the Golden State Warriors.

NBA MVP Champion

Anthony Davis $5.25

The Power Forward from the New Orleans Pelicans averaged a career best 28.1 points per game in the 2017-2018 season, second only to the MVP James Harden. There are big expectations on Davis becoming this year’s leading scorer.

A former first pick in the 2012 draft, Davis has played in the last five NBA All-Star games, of which he was crowned All-Star MVP in 2017 after scoring a record 52 points.

The calibre of players around him include four-time MVP Lebron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, James Harden, Kevin Durant, Steph Curry, Kyrie Irving and Aussie Ben Simmons.

Odds provided by Bet365 and are subject to change.

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