The waiting is finally over and the new NBA season is due to get underway in the early hours of Wednesday morning (UK Time), starting with two huge games.
The defending champions, Milwaukee Bucks, start proceedings against the pre-season favourites, before the Los Angeles Lakers look to open their account against a long-time rival.
There are then no fewer than 11 matches taking place on Thursday, as the road to the NBA finals begins.
Brooklyn Can Upset Champions Bucks
Two teams that met in the Eastern Conference Semi Finals last season collide on the opening night of the new campaign, as Milwaukee Bucks clash with Brooklyn Nets.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and co. ran out 4-3 series winners in the play-offs, but the Nets were without James Harden and had Kyrie Irving battling with injury following a long season.
As well as having their star names refreshed, Steve Nash will also have Jevon Carter at his disposal after the point guard moved to New York after reaching the NBA Finals with Phoenix Suns last season.
Brooklyn, who will be without Irving for the foreseeable future, are 21/20 to claim a statement win in their opening match, with Kevin Durant 2/1 to score 4+ three-pointers at the Fiserv Forum.
The Nets’ roster depth is highlighted by the fact that they are currently 41/20 favourites to lift the Larry O’Brien Trophy, while the Bucks can be backed at 9/1 to win back-to-back titles.
Giannis proved the difference between the teams last season, with the ‘Greek Freak’ scoring 40 points in the final match of the Conference Semi Final, but the visitors though look to be the overall stronger outfit this time around.
Lebron to Lead Lakers to Success
After a surprise first-round play-off exit last season, much is expected of the LA Lakers this time around as Lebron James looks to keep alive his hopes of creating history.
King James has four NBA titles to his name and if he is going to at least match the six won by Michael Jordan, the Lakers would have to win the trophy this year.
Despite turning 37 later this year, Lebron is still key to the Lakers hopes but he does have a deeper squad now to help him along the way.
The 10-time NBA All-Star Small forward Carmelo Anthony has joined LA from Portland, as has the former Washington Wizards Point guard Russell Westbrook.
With Anthony Davis also in the ranks, it looks highly likely they will be too strong for Golden State Warriors at the Staples Center – with the hosts 20/31 to win their opener.
Celtics Eye East Coast Opening Win
After being thumped by the Nets in the first round of the play-offs last season, Boston Celtics will be eyeing a quick start in their attempts to finish higher in the Eastern Conference standings.
They are at one of the most iconic arenas in sport on Thursday, when they prepare to face New York Knicks at Maddison Square Garden.
He may be just 23, but Jayson Tatum has shown he is among the top stars in the league and he is capable of making the Celtics contenders.
Boston face a Knicks team that also lost 4-1 in Round 1 of the play-offs last season and are as big as 100/1 to win the NBA title. The Celtics at Evens in the Moneyline are certainly an interesting prospect.
*All odds correct at time of writing
