Free Press sports writers answer big questions and making predictions about the Detroit Pistons and NBA Finals for the 2025-26 season.

Here’s everything you need to know, from when, what’s at stake, which team to bet, and of course, our prediction.

In what could be an Eastern Conference Finals preview, the Cavaliers will begin the 2025-26 NBA regular season on Oct. 22 against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.

The Cavaliers were the best regular-season team in the East last season, boasting a 64-18 record. However, after a dominant 4-0 sweep against the Miami Heat in the opening round of the 2025 playoffs, they dropped the first two games of their second-round series against the Indiana Pacers at home and ultimately got eliminated 4-1

Wes: I think the Hawks just crack 50 wins (50-32), get to the second round of the playoffs, and fall to the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers in seven games. Chase: My bet is the Hawks finish at 52-30. It should be good enough to finish as a top 3 seed in the Eastern Conference.

The Mavericks’ prized No. 1 pick likely won this award before even playing in an actual NBA game. NBA talent evaluators pegged Flagg as this year’s best rookie because of his positional versatility as a scorer and defender, his adaptability to various roles and his disciplined work habits.

From bold Finals predictions to breakout stars, our staff breaks down what to expect from the Timberwolves this season.

The Blue Jays have won six of the last nine meetings with the Mariners. Toronto is a -125 favorite on the money line (risk $125 to win $100) in the latest Mariners vs. Blue Jays odds from DraftKings Sportsbook,