A Handy Guide to the Conclusion of the NBA Season for UK Fans
The growth in popularity of NBA basketball in the UK over recent years has been phenomenal. Indeed, it’s no surprise that several UK cities have been tagged as potential picks for the NBA Europe League, which is expected to launch in 2027. That league is expected to become a true rival to the NBA in the States, with cities like London and Manchester poised to have their own teams.
For now, though, most of us look west across the Atlantic for basketball action. We are moving into the conclusion of the NBA season, so we thought we would come up with a primer for casual fans to get au fait with what’s happening before the serious business of the Playoffs begins.
What’s happening right now?
We are about 80% of the way through the 82-game regular season, with each team having around 16 games to go. The regular season ends in mid-April, with the Playoffs getting underway and lasting for around two more months into the NBA Finals in June.
The structure of the Playoffs
The NBA is split into two conferences – Eastern and Western – consisting of 15 teams. The top six in each conference qualify for the Playoffs directly, whereas the teams in 7th to 10th qualify for the Play-In Tournament, effectively a playoff to get into the Playoffs. Eight teams from each conference eventually play in the Playoffs. The NBA Finals are between the respective winners of the Eastern and Western Conferences.
Who’s in the running for glory?
Last year’s champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder, were considered the favorites with NBA online sportsbooks since the start of the season, and they have not moved from that spot. Others fairly high in the odds include the Boston Celtics, Denver Nuggets and Cleveland Cavaliers.
Surprise packages?
Most assuredly, it’s the San Antonio Spurs that have caught the eye. It was clear the franchise was building for the future, but it feels way ahead of schedule. Whisper it, but they may be good enough to catch the Oklahoma City Thunder and take the West’s No.1 Seed ranking into the Playoffs. Over in the Eastern Conference, the Detroit Pistons continue to defy critics.
Star players?
Shai-Gilgeous Alexander continues to be a generational player for Oklahoma, whereas we might be looking at the game’s next global star in Victor Wembanyama, who has been a key reason for that surprising surge from San Antonio. Over in the Eastern Conference, Cade Cunningham is having an MVP-level campaign.
A story to keep an eye on
The Boston Celtics lost star player Jayson Tatum to injury late last season, and many predicted that his layoff would contribute to Boston’s demise. Yet, they weathered the storm without him, and now he has made a sensational return just weeks ahead of the Playoffs. He could be the difference-maker for the 2024 champions.
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Anything else to note?
Sure, this has been a season where several different records have been broken, but we like one feat that only got close to beating a long-standing record: The Miami Heat’s Bam Adebayo scored 83 points in a single game against the Washington Wizards. It’s the second-highest scoring record in a game in history. The highest? That’s Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point game, a record that many believe will never be broken. Now we aren’t so sure.