5 Key Games from the NBA’s Opening Week in October
5 Key Games from the NBA’s Opening Week in October
August 26, 2024
If
you’re still in summer mode, the dark nights of October might seem far
away. Yet, it’s now less than 60 days until the start of the NBA season,
which kicks off on October 22nd. Teams are now making their final
preparations for what promises to be an intriguing campaign.
Indeed, if the opening week is anything to go by, we can look forward
to some brilliant clashes this season. The first round of games has
thrown up some intriguing matchups, pitting teams with real
Championship hopes against each other.
Below, we have picked out what we argue represent the five key fixtures
of the opening week in the 2024/25 NBA season. Too soon to make
judgments, perhaps, but they might tell us a lot about contenders and
pretenders as the season draws on.
Knicks @ Celtics – October 22
The reigning champions take on the Eastern
Conference's dark horses in what promises to be an intriguing matchup
at TD Gardens to open the new season. This should tell us a lot about
both teams, showing how – or if – the Knicks have caught up on their
rivals from last season. The Celtics are clear favorites for another
Championship, but the Knicks are actually fourth favorites overall in
the latest NBA odds.
This will be interesting. The Celtics look like they want to start a
dynasty, but no team has evolved from mediocrity to contenders in the
way that New York has in recent years.
Timberwolves @ Lakers – October 22
The Minnesota fans will arguably go into the game
feeling more confident, as the Timberwolves reached the Conference
Finals last season and have arguably strengthened since then. It’s a
young team, dynamic and powerful in defense, coming up against a team
that feels disjointed and lacks identity. The Timberwolves will
definitely be there or thereabouts when it comes to the business end of
the season, but which version of Lebron James’ Lakers will show up this
season?
Bucks @ 76ers – October 23
Another mouth-watering match-up between two teams
who have Championship ambitions. The 76ers are many pundits’ pick to
dethrone the Celtics’ in the Eastern Conference. Much will depend on Joel Embiid,
who must step up for an MVP-caliber season if the 76ers are to really
stake a claim. The Bucks, meanwhile, had an underrated go of things in
free agency, making smart trades to add experience and nous to an
already excellent roster. The Giannis Antetokounmpo is obviously still
at play, and his performances at the Olympics reminded us all that he
has much more to give the basketball world.
Thunder @ Nuggets – October 24
This arguably eclipses the Celtics-Knicks matchup as
the standout game of the opening week in the new NBA season. If you
aren’t excited to see what this Oklahoma team can
do this season, then, well, you’re not paying attention. The Nuggets
have all the pieces in place to regain the Championship they lost last
season, but there are caveats: Jamal Murray’s health; too much reliance
on Nikola Jokic. But they will come up against what some are calling
NBA’s most complete team. Another hugely interesting matchup that could
tell us a lot, even if it is too early in the season to jump to
conclusions.
Spurs @ Mavericks – October 24
Yes, it’s going to be interesting to see how the
Mavericks bounce back from last season’s Finals defeat against Boston,
yet neutral fans should also be interested in how San Antonio performs
here. The Spurs have been awful this past few seasons, winning 22 games
in the last two campaigns. But there is a bright spot – Victor
Wenbanyama. The Rookie of the Year is still only 20, but he has the
star quality to become the league’s best defender in the coming
campaign. Enough to guide San Antonio out of the wilderness? Not on his
own – yet.
