NBA 2025-26: Here we go again for a new season!

The big day has arrived! The NBA is back for a new season that already promises to be exceptional. Who are the favorites for both conferences? Jokic, SGA and Haliburton are ready to fight.

The favorites in the East

We can’t start with anyone other than the Indiana Pacers. After coming close to the title in a Game 7 marked by the injury of their franchise player, Tyrese Haliburton and his gang have only one goal: to return to the finals.

Now it's time for the surprise, but also the disappointment of last season. The Cleveland Cavaliers finished the regular season at the top of the Eastern Conference with the second-best record in the NBA. Only to be crushed by the Pacers in the Conference semifinals. Led by Donovan Mitchell and his soldiers Garland and Mobley, the Cavs are likely to do some damage. On top of that, Cleveland signed Lonzo Ball this summer. If he finally manages to be spared from injuries, the second pick of the 2017 draft could well be the icing on the cake that is the Cavs' incredible roster.

Finally, will this season be the season that the New York Knicks get back on top? After an impressive run last season with an elimination in the Conference Finals, the Knicks corrected their biggest problem during the summer. The arrival of Guershon Yabusele and Jordan Clarkson will bring scoring off the bench.

As we know, a season is a very long time, so keep an eye out for other teams with high potential such as the Atlanta Hawks and the Orlando Magic. Who will you bet on this season?

Favorites from the West

The best team in the NBA is back. Are the Oklahoma City Thunder on their way to getting the double? The squad remains unchanged and the stars have been extended. Will MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander walk all over the competition again? Watch out, the defending champions aren’t satisfied!

Will Kevin Durant’s arrival propel the Houston Rockets to the top? This will be the major question in the West this season. Second in their Conference last regular season, the Rockets were in for a (bad) surprise when they were eliminated in the first round by the Warriors. Change of strategy, exit Green and Brooks and welcome KD, one of the best players in the league. Will Durant's arrival be enough to bring Houston back to the top?

Three-time MVP Nikola Jokic almost managed to take OKC to Game 7 in the semifinals last season. So, imagine what he’ll do in a better built team that’s ready to start fresh... Will the Denver Nuggets be the new champions? We wouldn't be surprised.

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