The Pistons beat Boston 3-1 in their regular season series last season and can strike the first blow when these two Eastern Conference rivals begin their new campaigns on Tuesday. Detroit come into the game with a fully fit squad and home advantage, while it could take the Celtics a few weeks to find their groove following Jaylen Brown’s switch to Philadelphia.

The Cavs are backed to return to the top of the Eastern Conference after finishing there in 2025. They’ve got a strong starting five, and they project to be the strongest of the five teams in the Central Division. The Indiana Pacers are set for a bounce-back year with Tyrese Haliburton back from injury, and they can beat the Pistons to second in their division.

The Lakers are the strongest side in a weak Pacific division, following their summer overhaul. Second place behind the odds-on favourites in this division is up for grabs, but the Golden State Warriors can seal it. The Phoenix Suns are seen as the next-best side, but their 21-30 record against winning teams suggests they’ll be in for a tougher year. The Warriors drafted some height in Yaxel Lendeborg, plus they have assets for an in-season trade, and All-Star Jimmy Butler will return from injury mid-season to partner Steph Curry. The Warriors are 42-18 when Curry and Butler share the court, so back them to surge into second behind LA.