2024-25 NBA Season Predictions: Ranking Top 5 offensive teams
The modern-day NBA continues to be a league driven by offensive firepower. Over the last 25 years, point totals have soared with teams needing 115, 120 or even 125 points if they hope to have any chance of edging out a victory. The game is being played at a faster pace, and possessing a handful of talented 3-point shooters is essential for any lineup nowadays.
In the 1998-1999 season, NBA teams averaged just 91.6 points per game. a decade later, that number touched 100. The 2017-18 season ended with teams averaging 106.3 ppg. Last season, the figure reached 114.2 ppg.
With the NBA regular season set to begin on Tuesday, we take a look at some of the league's top-ranked offenses.
2024-25 NBA Season Predictions: Ranking Top 5 offensive teams
#5. Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks are coming off a dismal run of preseason games where they averaged just 96 points per game. Despite those poor numbers over the warmup games, Milwaukee remains one of the most potent scoring lineups in the league.
The Damian Lillard-Giannis Antetokounmpo experiment hasn't yet clicked the way the organization hoped, but with the two All-Stars on their roster, the Bucks possess two of the league's most efficient scorers.
Last season, the Bucks ranked sixth in the NBA with a 117.6 offensive rating. They averaged 119.0 ppg.
#4. OKC Thunder
Oklahoma City's talented young core had a great 2023-24 season, and with another year of experience under their belt, expect this group to be one of the final teams standing in the West.
Last season, the Thunder had five different players average double-digits. Four of those five players are set to return for the 2024-25 campaign with only Josh Giddey moving on to the Chicago Bulls. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the way with 30.1 ppg and Jalen Williams averaged 19.1.
The Thunder were one of the most efficient scoring teams last season with a 118.3 offensive rating (third). They ranked first in the Western Conference with 120.1 ppg.
#3. New York Knicks
The Knicks are coming off an impressive 50-win season, and their second consecutive Eastern Conference semifinals appearance. They ranked seventh in the league in offensive rating (117.3) and averaged 112.8 ppg.
New York relied heavily on All-Star Jalen Brunson last season. The talented point guard averaged 28.7 points and 6.7 assists. He shot 47.9% from the field, including 40.1% from behind the arc.
With Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns joining Tom Thibodeau's team this summer, the Knicks have added some serious firepower. The two players combined for an average of 41.4 ppg in 2023-24. The Knicks have plenty of weapons in their arsenal as they approach the new campaign.
#2. Dallas Mavericks
Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving were one of the most lethal scoring duos in the NBA last season. The two combined for an average of 59.5 ppg to lead Dallas to the NBA Finals. Adding five-time All-Star and four-time champion Klay Thompson into the mix gives the Mavs three of the league's elite shooters.
Doncic led all scorers last season with 33.9 ppg. Over his last five seasons, he has not averaged less than 27.5.
In 2023-24, the Mavericks ranked eighth with an offensive rating of 117 and averaged 117.9 ppg. Expect those numbers to be higher this season.
#1. Boston Celtics
On the way to a record 18th NBA championship, the Boston Celtics ranked first in the NBA with a 122.2 offensive rating. No evidence suggests this team will not be one of the most fluid and productive offenses once again. With the core of that lineup returning, Boston will once again have one of the most dynamic offenses in the NBA.
Last season, the Celtics had seven players averaging nine or more ppg. The team has several options and there will be plenty of competition for minutes amongst a talented and deep group of players.
Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum will be key figures for an offense that scored a whopping 120.6 ppg last season. The two All-NBA players combined for 49.9.
A healthy Kristaps Porzingis will also be a major boost for Boston. The 7-foot-2 Latvian star played just 57 games last season and averaged 20.1 ppg.