Suns Win Over Pistons; Celtics Favored for Title

The Phoenix Suns continued their preseason success with a 105-97 win over the Detroit Pistons, led by Kevin Durant's 21 points, despite some key absences in their lineup. Meanwhile, the Boston Celtics are favored to repeat as NBA champions according to the NBA GM survey, with 83% of votes predicting their victory in 2025, highlighting their strong roster and recent championship success. The survey also recognized Jayson Tatum as the best small forward and Jrue Holiday as the top perimeter defender. The Celtics are expected to have the best offense and defense in the league. In contrast, the Miami Heat have not been ranked among the top teams in the Eastern Conference, reflecting diminished confidence despite their historically strong performances.