With the 2025-26 NBA season on the horizon, the championship picture is starting to crystallize in fascinating ways. While several teams harbor legitimate title aspirations, two franchises emerge as the most compelling candidates to meet on basketball’s biggest stage: the New York Knicks and the Denver Nuggets.
Mavericks Set to Rebound and Reach Playoffs
Dallas endured a whiplash-inducing campaign last year, tumbling from championship contention to barely scraping into the play-in tournament. But landing the No. 1 overall pick changed everything. Enter Cooper Flagg, whose dynamic skillset and court vision at Duke immediately caught everyone’s attention. His arrival has reinvigorated a franchise that desperately needed a spark.
The absence of Kyrie Irving until January creates obvious challenges, yet Dallas possesses surprising depth to weather this storm. The frontcourt combination of Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford alongside Anthony Davis finally gives the Mavericks the interior presence they’ve long craved. Meanwhile, D’Angelo Russell’s ability to seamlessly transition between primary ball-handler and spot-up threat adds crucial versatility to their offensive schemes. Given the brutal Western Conference landscape, Dallas has assembled the pieces necessary to claim a playoff berth and gain serious momentum once Irving rejoins the fold.
Rockets Poised for Western Conference Semifinal Push
Houston’s defensive prowess last season was undeniable, but their offensive limitations became glaring during clutch moments—particularly evident in that grueling seven-game battle against Golden State. The blockbuster acquisition of Kevin Durant completely transforms their offensive identity. Durant’s surgical precision in half-court situations directly addresses what plagued Houston in tight games.
The development arc of Amen Thompson becomes even more critical with Fred VanVleet sidelined for the entire campaign. Thompson’s remarkable growth after earning a starting role suggests he’s ready for expanded responsibilities. Houston currently boasts the third-highest projected win total in the West, with near-consensus odds to capture the conference. This marriage of elite defense and newfound offensive firepower creates a recipe for sustained success, likely earning home-court advantage in the first round.
Why Knicks vs. Nuggets Is the Most Likely Finals Matchup
Repeat champions have become virtually extinct in this era of competitive balance—the 2018 Warriors were the last team to accomplish back-to-back titles. Since then, only the 2024 Celtics among preseason betting favorites have actually delivered championships. Yet both Denver and New York find themselves tantalizingly close to breakthrough seasons, each addressing key weaknesses that previously held them back.
The Denver Nuggets almost pulled off something miraculous last season, stretching a depleted Oklahoma City squad to seven games despite battling through injuries, bench limitations, and coaching instability. This summer brought much-needed stability with David Adelman officially taking the reins while management upgraded the roster. Trading for Cam Johnson and signing veterans like Tim Hardaway Jr., Bruce Brown, and Jonas Valanciunas addressed glaring depth issues that haunted their playoff run.
The New York Knicks endured heartbreak in their conference finals loss to Indiana, but they’ve responded with purpose. Retaining Mike Brown provides continuity while adding Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele shores up bench production that was conspicuously absent during their playoff push. Both organizations have maintained their foundational pieces while strategically improving around the margins.
At the heart of each team’s championship aspirations stands a transcendent talent: Nikola Jokić orchestrating Denver’s offense and Jalen Brunson elevating New York’s entire operation. These players have established themselves as the premier forces in their respective conferences, making their teams natural favorites to emerge from crowded fields.
While some sportsbooks offer individual conference champion markets, the parlay combining Knicks and Nuggets as conference winners delivers more attractive odds, reflecting the compelling logic behind this Finals prediction.
Malik Smith is a seasoned sports betting analyst with extensive experience focusing on the NBA and combat sports. His insights help identify value plays and futures ahead of the season.
