Which Teams Have Started the New NBA Season Brightly?
After their summer break and a busy pre-season, the new NBA 2025/26 Season got underway last week and we have already seen some notable performances by teams over this first week of the current campaign.
Let’s now take a closer look at some of the teams from the Eastern and Western Conferences that have started the season well (and we have also outlined their current odds to win the NBA Finals as with bet365 Sport – Odds were correct at the time of writing but may have changed since publication).
NBA Eastern Conference
Just two teams in the Eastern Conference are yet to taste defeat, although both teams have played just two games, compared to three for the other teams in the Conference. Those teams are the 2-0 Chicago Bulls and the Philadelphia 76ers.
Chicago Bulls – 2-0
Of the two it is probably the Bulls who have surprised fans the most. They started with a 115-111 win over the Detroit Pistons in Chicago and then travelled to Florida and defeated the Orlando Magic 110-98.
It has been a real team effort with point-scoring duties shared between the starters and bench players who have made significant contributions in both games so far. Centre Nikola Vucevic and Guard Josh Giddey have been amongst their star performers so far early in the campaign.
They face the Atlanta Hawks next, in a game kicking off at midnight on Tuesday and the Sacramento Kings on Thursday, also starting at midnight.
Odds to win NBA Finals – 500/1
Philadelphia 76ers – 2-0
The Philadelphia 76ers started their new season with a come-from-behind 117-116 win over the 2024 NBA Finals winners the Boston Celtics. Tyrese Maxey (40) and V.J.Edgecombe (34) contributed 74 of the teams 117 points in that opening game of the season.
Next up the 76ers faced the Charlotte Hornets and won another close game 125-121. Tyrese Maxey top scored once again with 28 points and Joel Embiid scored 20 in the 76ers latest win.
Late Monday/Early Tuesday att midnight, they face the Orlando Magic, and then later in the week head to Washington to take on the Wizards.
Odds to win NBA Finals – 35/1
NBA Western Conference
As in the East, there are two unbeaten teams in the Western Conference at present, including the current NBA Champions.
San Antonio Spurs – 3-0
Victor Wembanyama has been the star man for the Spurs in the opening two games this season. The Frenchman started the season in superb form scoring 40 points and 15 rebounds in the Spurs 125-92 win over the Dallas Mavericks.
He then scored 29 points and collected 11 rebounds in their 120-116 overtime win over the New Orleans Pelicans in their second game.
He then improved on those figures, scoring 31 points and collecting 14 rebounds in a dominant performance the Spurs 118-107 won over the Brooklyn Nets.
Next up for the Spurs are the Toronto Raptors tomorrow night and then Miami Heat later this week.
Odds to win NBA Finals – 35/1
Oklahoma City Thunder – 3-0
The NBA Champions started the defence of their trophy in solid fashion. They began by being taken into overtime by the Houston Rockets before landing a 125-124 victory on the opening night.
They were taken into double over time in their second game before securing a 141-135 win over the Indiana Pacers, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scoring 55 points in that victory.
They didn’t require any additional time in their third game, winning 117-100 against the Atlanta Hawks with Chet Holmgren top-scoring with 31 points and also collecting 11 rebounds.
Next up for the Thunder are the Dallas Mavericks tomorrow followed by Wednesday night’s game against the Sacramento Kings and then Friday’s match with the Washington Wizards.
Odds to win NBA Finals – 2/1
With 82 games to play in the regular season and then the playoffs for the teams with the records good enough to qualify, it promises to be several months of exciting NBA action for fans and pundits alike.
