NBA season preview 2024-25 REGULAR SEASON: OCT 22, 2024 - APR 13, 2025 NBA FINALS TIP-OFF: JUN 5, 2025 The 79th National Basketball Association season launches with the Boston Celtics as reigning champions after beating Dallas Mavericks in the 2024 NBA Finals – clinching record 18th title, to surpass fierce rivals the Los Angeles Lakers (17) This year features second edition of Emirates NBA Cup before traditional play-offs decide Eastern and Western champions to clash in NBA Finals OFFENSIVE MASTERCLASS: Luka Dončić (left) topped scoring charts last season – one of seven players to tally over 2,000 points MOST POINTS IN NBA 2023-24 Regular season Per game Luka Dončić DAL 33.9 2370 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander OKC 30.1 2254 Giannis Antetokounmpo MIL 30.4 2222 Jalen Brunson NYK 28.7 2212 Nikola Jokić DEN 26.4 2085 Anthony Edwards MIN 25.9 2049 Kevin Durant PHX 27.1 2032 NBA Franchises Two conferences, each with 15 teams divided into three divisions: Regular season games 82 Trail Blazers Division: Northwest Warriors Pacific Kings Pacific Clippers Pacific Lakers Pacific Jazz Northwest Suns Pacific Nuggets Northwest Thunder Northwest Mavericks Southwest Timberwolves Northwest Bucks Central Bulls Central Grizzlies Southwest Pelicans Southwest Rockets, Southwest Spurs, Southwest Toronto Raptors Atlantic Pistons Central Cavaliers Central Pacers Central Celtics Atlantic Knicks Atlantic Nets, Atlantic 76ers,Atlantic Wizards Southeast Hornets, Southeast Hawks Southeast Magic Southeast Heat Southeast MONEY GAME: Celtics star Jayson Tatum (below) signed five-year extension in July – reportedly largest contract in NBA history. Tatum averaged 26.9pts in regular season in 2023-24, while teammate Jaylen Brown hit 23.0pts per game Jayson Tatum Boston 2025-29 $314m Jaylen Brown Boston 2024-28 $285m Nikola Jokić Denver 2023-27 $276m Bradley Beal Phoenix 2022-26 $251m Anthony Edwards Minnesota 2024-28 $245m Tyrese Haliburton Indiana 2024-28 $245m G. Antetokounmpo Milwaukee 2021-25 $228m Zaccharie Risacher French forward selected by Atlanta as first overall pick of NBA draft GUIDE TO BASKETBALL: OBJECTIVE Two teams of five players try to score points by shooting ball into opposition’s basket – switching between offence and defence Game duration: 4 x 12-min periods (5-min overtime periods if scores level) Elevated basket Hoop height 3.05m Free throw line: Up to three throws awarded for fouls 3-point arc 15m 28m 1 Point guard 2 Shooting guard 3 Small forward 4 Power forward 5 Center Ball diameter: 24.8cm (29.5in) Shot clock: Team must attempt shot within 24 seconds SCORING Every shot from inside arc awarded 2pts Shots from behind arc: 3pts Successful free throw: 1pt Opening fixtures Away team All games Oct 23 except where indicated Home team New York Knicks TD Garden (Oct 22) Boston Celtics Minnesota T’wolves Crypto.com Arena (Oct 22) Los Angeles Lakers Indiana Pacers Little Caesars Arena Detroit Pistons Brooklyn Nets State Farm Arena Atlanta Hawks Orlando Magic Kaseya Center Miami Heat Milwaukee Bucks Wells Fargo Center Philadelphia 76ers Cleveland Cavaliers Scotiabank Arena Toronto Raptors Charlotte Hornets* Toyota Center Houston Rockets Chicago Bulls* Smoothie King Center New Orleans Pelicans Memphis Grizzlies Delta Center Utah Jazz Phoenix Suns Intuit Dome Los Angeles Clippers Golden State Warriors Moda Center Portland Trail Blazers Boston Celtics Capital One Arena (Oct 24) Washington Wizards San Antonio Spurs American Airlines Center (Oct 24) Dallas Mavericks Oklahoma City Thunder Ball Arena (Oct 24) Denver Nuggets Minnesota T’wolves Golden 1 Center (Oct 24) Sacramento Kings *Interleague game between Eastern and Western conference NBA FINALS: Eastern Conference teams hold 41-37 series advantage over Western Conference 2024 Boston bt Dallas 4-1 2023 Denver Miami 4-1 2022 Warriors Boston 4-2 2021 Milwaukee Phoenix 4-2 2020 LA Lakers Miami 4-2 2019 Toronto Warriors 4-2 2018 Warriors Cleveland 4-0 2017 Warriors Cleveland 4-1 2016 Cleveland Warriors 4-3 2015 Warriors Cleveland 4-2 Bronny James LA Lakers. Set to make history with LeBron James as first father-son duo to play in NBA regular season Source: NBA Pictures: Getty Images © GRAPHIC NEWS