No team in the NBA has claimed back-to-back championships since the Golden State Warriors in 2017 and 2018, and no American player has been awarded the MVP since James Harden received it in 2018.

Could this season be different? The Boston Celtics are looking strong with their returning stars, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, making them favorites to repeat.

As for the MVP race, while Tatum and Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves are strong contenders, the top favorites are international players, including Luka Doncic (Dallas), Nikola Jokic (Denver), Joel Embiid (Philadelphia), Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee), and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City).

That’s why we watch the games. Who will make it to the NBA Finals? Which team will win the championship? Who will be named MVP, Rookie of the Year, or Coach of the Year? Who will stand out as the Sixth Man or Most Improved Player?

While there isn’t a clear consensus, nearly all experts on this panel predict Boston will conquer the East and return to the Finals. Additionally, every panel expert, except for one, believes Victor Wembanyama of San Antonio will win the Defensive Player of the Year award.

The YSL News Sports team, which includes Jeff Zillgitt, Scooby Axson, Lorenzo Reyes, and Heather Tucker, along with NBA writers Damichael Cole, Dustin Dopirak, Jim Owczarski, and Duane Rankin, share their forecasts:

2024-25 Eastern Conference Finals

Jeff Zillgitt: Boston Celtics-Philadelphia 76ers

Scooby Axson: Boston Celtics vs. Milwaukee Bucks

Lorenzo Reyes: Boston Celtics-New York Knicks

Damichael Cole: Boston Celtics-New York Knicks

Dustin Dopirak: Boston Celtics-New York Knicks

Jim Owczarski: Boston Celtics vs. Milwaukee Bucks

Duane Rankin: Boston Celtics-Philadelphia 76ers

Heather Tucker: Boston Celtics-Philadelphia 76ers

2024-25 Western Conference Finals

Jeff Zillgitt: Oklahoma City Thunder-Denver Nuggets

Scooby Axson: Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Oklahoma City Thunder

Lorenzo Reyes: Denver Nuggets-Oklahoma City Thunder

Damichael Cole: Oklahoma City Thunder-Phoenix Suns

Dustin Dopirak: Oklahoma City Thunder-Denver Nuggets

Jim Owczarski: Oklahoma City Thunder-Phoenix Suns

Duane Rankin: Dallas Mavericks-Minnesota Timberwolves

Heather Tucker: Oklahoma City Thunder-Phoenix Suns

2024-25 NBA Finals

Jeff Zillgitt: Boston Celtics-Oklahoma City Thunder

Scooby Axson: Boston Celtics-Minnesota Timberwolves

Lorenzo Reyes: New York Knicks-Denver Nuggets

Damichael Cole: Boston Celtics-Oklahoma City Thunder

Dustin Dopirak: Boston Celtics-Denver Nuggets

Jim Owczarski: Boston Celtics-Oklahoma City Thunder

Duane Rankin: Boston Celtics-Minnesota Timberwolves

Heather Tucker: Boston Celtics-Phoenix Suns

2024-25 NBA Champion

Jeff Zillgitt: Boston Celtics

Scooby Axson: Boston Celtics

Lorenzo Reyes: Denver Nuggets

Damichael Cole: Oklahoma City Thunder

Dustin Dopirak: Boston Celtics

Jim Owczarski: Oklahoma City Thunder

Duane Rankin: Boston Celtics

Heather Tucker: Boston Celtics

2024-25 NBA MVP

Jeff Zillgitt: Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks

Scooby Axson: Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks

Lorenzo Reyes: Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves

Damichael Cole: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder

Dustin Dopirak: Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets

Jim Owczarski: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder

Duane Rankin: Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks

Heather Tucker: Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks

2024-25 NBA Rookie of the Year

Jeff Zillgitt: Alexandre Sarr, Washington Wizards

Scooby Axson: Stephon Castle, San Antonio Spurs

Lorenzo Reyes: Reed Sheppard, Houston Rockets

Damichael Cole: Zach Edey, Memphis Grizzlies

Dustin Dopirak: Zach Edey, Memphis Grizzlies

Jim Owczarski: Zach Edey, Memphis Grizzlies

Duane Rankin: Zach Edey, Memphis Grizzlies

Heather Tucker: Zach Edey, Memphis Grizzlies

2024-25 NBA Defensive Player of the Year

Jeff Zillgitt: Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs

Scooby Axson: Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs

Lorenzo Reyes: Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat

Damichael Cole: Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs

Dustin Dopirak: Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs

Jim Owczarski: Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs

Duane Rankin: Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs

Heather Tucker: Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs

2024-25 NBA Sixth Man of the Year

Jeff Zillgitt: Malik Monk, Sacramento Kings

Scooby Axson: Malik Monk, Sacramento Kings

Lorenzo Reyes: Malik Monk, Sacramento Kings

Damichael Cole: Bennedict Mathurin, Indiana Pacers

Dustin Dopirak: Malik Monk, Sacramento Kings

Jim Owczarski: Bobby Portis Jr., Milwaukee Bucks

Duane Rankin: Malik Monk, Sacramento Kings

Heather Tucker: Malik Monk, Sacramento Kings

2024-25 NBA Most Improved Player of the Year

Jeff Zillgitt: Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder

Scooby Axson: Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder

Lorenzo Reyes: Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs

Damichael Cole: Cam Thomas, Brooklyn Nets

Dustin Dopirak: Jonathan Kuminga, Golden State Warriors

Jim Owczarski: Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder

Duane Rankin: Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City Thunder

Heather Tucker: Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder

2024-25 NBA Clutch Player of the Year

Jeff Zillgitt: Kyrie Irving, Dallas Mavericks

Scooby Axson: Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks

Lorenzo Reyes: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder

Damichael Cole: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander,

Oklahoma City Thunder

Dustin Dopirak: Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks

Jim Owczarski: Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks

Duane Rankin: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder

Heather Tucker: Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks

NBA Coach of the Year for 2024-25

Jeff Zillgitt: Joe Mazzulla, Boston Celtics

Scooby Axson: Ime Udoka, Houston Rockets

Lorenzo Reyes: Ime Udoka, Houston Rockets

Damichael Cole: Tom Thibodeau, New York Knicks

Dustin Dopirak: Taylor Jenkins, Memphis Grizzlies

Jim Owczarski: Jamahl Mosley, Orlando Magic

Duane Rankin: Joe Mazzulla, Boston Celtics

Heather Tucker: Kenny Atkinson, Cleveland Cavaliers