The Suns and Celtics are the most talented teams in their respective conferences, in my view, though this goes beyond just skill sets. Jayson Tatum may be a Kia MVP favorite (if voters don’t dwell on the help he has on Boston’s roster). Kristaps Porzingis adds a new dimension and Jrue Holiday might be more helpful to a title push than Damian Lillard.

The Suns are dripping with firepower, and like Boston, have some urgency to make this all work swiftly. Both teams expected to reach the Finals last June, so any sense of a narrowing championship window should keep them focused in a good way.

Nuggets-Bucks. Monday’s contract extension removes the cloud of Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future hanging over Milwaukee as the season opens. The pairing of Giannis and Damian Lillard (and their devastating pick-and-roll) is enough for Milwaukee to edge out Boston as both teams seek their second Finals this decade.

Denver lost some depth from last year’s title team, but with Nikola Jokic in Kia MVP form and a full year of a healthy Jamal Murray, the Nuggets are the favorites. But in a deep Western Conference, can they avoid a playoff gauntlet of fellow contenders, particularly from the Suns and Lakers?