TheSpread.com

Confident Combo

The Denver Nuggets made a big splash last season when they acquired Allen Iverson in a December trade. The Seattle SuperSonics made one of their own six months later by drafting Kevin Durant.

Seattle expects to have Durant, the No. 2 overall pick, available Wednesday night when it opens 2007-08 by visiting a Denver team that hopes Iverson and Carmelo Anthony playing together for a full season can breed success.

Backward Movers?

The Dallas Mavericks and Cleveland Cavaliers go into the season with championship aspirations. Both teams have given doubters good reason to be skeptical.

One team was a big disappointment by not coming close to making the NBA finals, and the one that did may have only gotten worse.

Fast Starters

Tim Duncan couldn't have asked for a better start to the season.

After receiving a contract extension and another NBA championship ring, and leading his team to a victory in the same day, the nine-time All-Star looks to help San Antonio win its first road game Wednesday against the Memphis Grizzlies.

Charging Ahead

In a wide-open Eastern Conference, the up-and-coming Chicago Bulls have emerged as championship contenders after a long rebuilding process. The New Jersey Nets, meanwhile, represent the old guard.

The young Bulls visit the experienced Nets on Wednesday as both teams begin their quest to take the next step toward an NBA title.

Looking Promising

For years, the East has been the inferior conference in the NBA. Offseason moves by the Orlando Magic, however, could give the league a little more parity entering the 2007-08 season.

With a new coach and armed with one of the top free agents on the market this summer, the Magic open their most promising season in years against the Milwaukee Bucks in Orlando on Wednesday.