Philadelphia 76ers may have the number of Eastern Conference rivals

Season starts 1am Tuesday night

LeBron James's exit from Cleveland means a fifth straight Warriors-Cavaliers final will almost certainly not be happening, so who is going to rise from the Eastern Conference to challenge Golden State for NBA glory in 2018-19?

The layers have it down as a three-team race and of those contenders the Philadelphia 76ers look as though their time might have come.

Boston, boosted by the additions of Gordon Hayward and Kyrie Irving, are favourites while Toronto have had consistency on their side.

But the Sixers are a team on the up. Improving year on year, they won their last 16 regular-season games in the spring and saw off Miami in the first round of the playoffs before succumbing to Boston. The Celtics' Al Horford took care of 76ers star Joel Embiid, who was a shadow of himself post-season.

A year older and a year wiser, Embiid and Ben Simmons will star as part of a monstrous defence unit and offer a contrast of styles in offence.

They are expected to win more games than last season and then they will have to be ready for the playoffs, something head coach Brett Brown couldn't get quite right in 2017-18.

Golden State look near-certainties for the Western Conference as they strive to sign off in Oakland with a fourth title in five years.

The Warriors had a serious challenge last season from Houston, the Rockets taking the number one seeding in the west with a 65-17 record.

Boasting arguably the most potent offence in the league, they should clear the 60-win mark again. MVP James Harden and Chris Paul are the irresistible source of all their best work while the addition of Carmelo Anthony means even more firepower off the bench.

Motivation will be the key knowing that their season will almost certainly come down to a shootout with Golden State in the spring, although James's arrival at the Lakers adds some competitive edge and Hollywood panache to the section.

Much is expected of James in the City of Angels, but he turns 34 in December and has joined a team where he could be short of quality support. He transformed a worse team in Cleveland, but the Western Conference is tougher and this could be a step too far for the legend.

The Lakers are likely to improve on 35-47 but maybe not by as many as 13.

The effect of James's departure can be seen to dramatic effect in Cleveland's price. The 2016 champions are 500-1 shots this season.

Recommendations
Philadelphia to win Eastern Conference
2pts 15-4 bet365
Houston over 55.5 wins
3pts 17-20 Hills
LA Lakers under 48.5 wins
3pts 17-20 Hills

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