The top six NBA teams that can win the 2024 Finals

The top six NBA teams that can win the 2024 Finals.

Seventy percent of the 2023–2024 NBA season is finished. Even while parity has been this season’s defining feature, the championship picture is now truly beginning to take shape.

The only club in the NBA that is currently on track to win more than 60 games is the Boston Celtics. The top four clubs in the West are currently separated by fewer than three games in the standings, despite the division being completely open throughout the season. The MVP candidate Luka Doncic is leading a reloaded Dallas Mavericks squad, and if the great trio in Phoenix Suns can stay healthy, they might form a sleeping monster. The second tier of the West is also very strong.

With Boston in tow, the East is less distinct. The biggest surprise of the season thus far has been the Cavaliers, who moved into the No. 2 spot when Darius Garland and Evan Mobley were out by injuries. They have been on an incredible winning streak.

Although Damian Lillard isn’t playing at his best and the Bucks have arguably the finest top-end talent in the NBA, their defense has been a complete disaster this season. With Joel Embiid sidelined due to a meniscus tear, the Philadelphia 76ers appeared to be a serious contender for the NBA championship. Embiid might return for the postseason, but Philly will need to struggle simply to avoid qualifying for the play-in round.

Taking stock of the 2024 NBA championship picture seems appropriate as the regular season’s final stretch draws near. These are the clubs that have a real chance to win the championship.

6. The Timberwolves of Minnesota
Size and defense are the reasons they can win the championship.

The Wolves seem to be the league’s biggest team. Karl-Anthony Towns is a real 7-footer at the four, Rudy Gobert offers a 7’9 wingspan to the middle, and Jaden McDaniels is a crafty 6’11 forward who plays the three. The Wolves’ position as the league’s best defense, which they have essentially maintained all season, comes as no surprise. It will be a grind of a series against Minnesota: they will play excellent rim protection, block outside three-pointers (the opposition has the fourth lowest three-point % against the Wolves in the league), and take care of business on the defensive glass. The Nuggets got some from the Wolves.

The reason they won’t succeed: scoring in crunch time

Despite losing so many close games, the Wolves have been a top team all season. In the clutch, Minnesota is currently ranked No. 27 in the league in net rating. The team’s 13.4% turnover rate this season, which ranks them 29th in the NBA, is the main problem. Since Edwards is still only 22 years old, it will be difficult for him to lead Minnesota’s attack when it counts. Going into the playoffs, it seems as though the Wolves never get anything easy when the game slows down.

Why they won’t succeed: depth and defense

The Bucks’ tenuous perimeter defense and the ensuing ramifications have been the season’s main narrative points. Doc Rivers took Adrian Griffin’s place as head coach after he was sacked. Damian Lillard has been on a prolonged cold spell, so even though Rivers seems to have strengthened the defense thus far, the Bucks are still losing. For the Bucks to have any chance at all, Lillard needs to get back to his peak. Milwaukee’s point-of-attack defense will be put to the test in the postseason even if he succeeds. Perfecting Khris Middleton is yet another crucial element. Middleton appears to have significantly declined since Milwaukee’s drive for the 2021 title. All year long, the 32-year-old’s injuries have kept him in and out of the starting lineup. Should Middleton be able to.