NBA 2024-25: Top Highlights and Insights from the First Three Rounds
by Devesh Jaganath | by Cydias Aujard
Can Anyone Stop the Boston Celtics?
Let’s start with the defending champions. The Boston Celtics raised a few eyebrows during the offseason when they opted not to sign any big-name players to bolster their squad depth ahead of their title defence. However, that does not seem to have affected them one bit as the reigning champs have shot out the starting gates, recording three wins on the bounce, fairly comfortably we might add.
As the familiar term from the annals of NBA wisdom popularised by Pat Riley goes: “the disease of more” - seems to ring true once again, as even without making any major signings, the Celts look incredible this season, and have raised their level of play another notch, which is a true reflection of champion mentality.
Central to Boston’s impressive start to the season has been Jayson Tatum, who has looked almost unplayable at times during the opening matches of the campaign. In just three games, the All-Star has already scored a stunning 99 points, including two 37-point hauls, and has shortened significantly in the odds for the MVP award this season, now priced at 5.0 with Bet365.
Think the Boston Celtics can go all the way to another NBA title? You can lock in the Celts to deliver back-to-back championships at 3.0 at present with most bookmakers.
Texte du CTA
The Nuggets Are No Longer Feared
This could be a bit of a controversial one given that it is still very early in the season and there is still plenty of time for teams to find top form, but the Denver Nuggets have just not looked like themselves so far.
Controversial or not, the warning signs have been there for a few weeks now, starting back in the preseason when they barely laid a hand on the Celtics in their Abu Dhabi exhibition matches and went on to lose to the Suns and Thunder before a consolation win over the Timberwolves.
Outside of Nikola Jokic, the team is lacking a spark. Head coach Michael Malone summed up the Nuggets' performances to date perfectly after their second home loss of the season to the Clippers, admitting that the team seems plagued with poorly timed turnovers, a lack of defensive discipline, and go through spells of offensive ineffectiveness, especially when the Joker is not on the court.
Can the Nuggets turn their poor early-season form around? Be sure to check out our daily NBA predictions to get our expert’s thoughts free of charge.
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Young OKC Look Like Number-One Contenders
Based on the preseason and the first three matches of the regular season, there is a growing sense that if the Celtics do not go on to become the first team to win back-to-back championships since the 2018 Warriors, the Oklahoma City Thunder will be the cause.
Led by MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, this is without question one of the best Thunder rosters in the history of the franchise, and that is a huge compliment to receive when considering that they are also the youngest team in the entire NBA this season with an average age of just 24.
What makes Oklahoma so special is their ability to play elite-level ball at both ends of the court. Not only are they one of the best three-point shooting rosters in the league but their defence is also rock solid, currently ranked first in points per game against and defensive efficiency, while they are top five in defensive rebounds, blocks per game and steals per game.
With the likes of Betway offering 7.0 to win the NBA Finals, the Thunder could represent tremendous value for backers that jump on them early. You can also check out all the latest NBA odds right here on SportyTrader!
View the latest 2024-25 NBA oodsWarriors Allowed to ‘Let It Fly’ this Season
The final takeaway from the opening stretch of the season is that the Golden State Warriors are a team to watch this year. Steve Kerr has given his 12-man roster the green light to let it fly from beyond the arc this season and the team has obliged in a big way, draining over 20 per game from downtown and converting at over 40%.
What happens when you allow one-half of the ‘Splash Brothers’ to join the Mavericks? Cue Buddy Hield! The sharpshooter has announced his arrival this season and has already etched his name in NBA history with his new employer, knocking down 11 three-pointers in just his first two games. To make this achievement all the more impressive, Hield did so in just six quarters on the floor!
Of course, there is no talk about the Warriors without mentioning Steph Curry. The two-time MVP has yet to find his best shooting range this season, but his impact as a facilitator on the court is second to none. In addition, Curry provided 14 assists in his first two games this term to move ahead of Hall of Famer Clyde Drexler in the NBA's all-time assists list, now on 6,133 for his career, just two short of NBA legend Scottie Pippen.
Keen to follow the Golden State Warriors’ journey through the 2024-25 season? Never miss a moment of the action from the hardwood with our NBA Livescore tool right here on SportyTrader!
