The 2024-2025 NBA season tips off with two exciting matchups as the New York Knicks take on the Boston Celtics and the Minnesota Timberwolves face the Los Angeles Lakers. Injuries and roster changes will have a major impact on the rotations and playing time, making this analysis of depth charts crucial for bettors and fans. Let’s dive into the projected minutes and key players for each team as they prepare for opening night on October 22.
Note that the number in parentheses below are my projected minutes for that respective player and the order in which they're displayed reflects their rotational status. Players who don't show up below but are on the team roster are not projected to play any minutes.
Knicks at Celtics: Depth Charts & Projected Minutes
KNICKS (+5.5) DEPTH CHART
PG: Jalen Brunson (36) | Cameron Payne (12)
SG: Mikal Bridges (34) | Miles McBride (24)
SF: Josh Hart (38) | Pacome Dadiet (6)
PF: OG Anunoby (34)
C: Karl-Anthony Towns (34) | Jericho Sims (18) | Ariel Hukporti (4)
Out: Mitchell Robinson, Precious Achiuwa, Kevin McCullar Jr.
CELTICS (-5.5) DEPTH CHART
PG: Jrue Holiday (34) | Payton Pritchard (24)
SG: Derrick White (34)
SF: Jaylen Brown (36) | Sam Hauser (24)
PF: Jayson Tatum (38)
C: Al Horford (26) | Luke Kornet (12) | Xavier Tillman (12)
Out: Kristaps Porzingis
One of the reasons why I love Boston’s outlook against the Knicks in their season opener is that New York basically has no depth with Mitchell Robinson and Precious Achiuwa out. We know that Tom Thibodeau isn’t exactly a fan of sitting his starters, but his starting five won’t be on the floor for 40-plus minutes at this time of the year. Deuce McBride will likely play 20-plus minutes (I have him projected for 24) as the proven commodity off the pine for Thibs, but outside of him, he will have to rely on guys like Cameron Payne, Jericho Sims and the question marks surrounding Pacome Dadiet and Ariel Hukporti as other options for minimal minutes.
The Celtics will trot out the same starters and rotation they used during their title run with the lone exception of Kristaps Porzingis, who will be out for a few months. I expect Joe Mazzulla to run a nine-man rotation with most of the bench minutes going to Payton Pritchard and Sam Hauser while Luke Kornet and Xavier Tillman spell Al Horford and try to slow down Karl-Anthony Towns.
Related
Timberwolves at Lakers: Depth Charts & Projected Minutes
TIMBERWOLVES (-1) DEPTH CHART
PG: Mike Conley (26) | Nickeil Alexander-Walker (16) | Rob Dillingham (8)
SG: Anthony Edwards (38) | Donte DiVincenzo (26)
SF: Jaden McDaniels (28) | Joe Ingles (6)
PF: Julius Randle (30) | Josh Minott (6)
C: Rudy Gobert (32) | Naz Reid (24)
Out: None
LAKERS (+1) DEPTH CHART
PG: D’Angelo Russell (34) | Gabe Vincent (18)
SG: Austin Reaves (34) | Max Christie (16)
SF: LeBron James (36) | Dalton Knecht (16)
PF: Rui Hachimura (34)
C: Anthony Davis (36) | Jaxson Hayes (16)
Out: Christian Wood, Jarred Vanderbilt, Christian Koloko
Depth and health won’t be an issue whatsoever for Chris Finch and the Timberwolves. Their entire roster is healthy and now features Donte DiVincenzo, Julius Randle, Joe Ingles and rookies Rob Dillingham and Terrence Shannon Jr. I don’t think minutes will be there for Shannon right off the bat, but I think we will see a lot of production from reigning Sixth Man of the Year Naz Reid off the bench as well as DiVincenzo off the bench, especially when Anthony Edwards takes a breather. Forward Josh Minott earned rotational minutes and Ingles’ catch-and-shoot abilities should allow him to check in for some minutes as well at times.
Meanwhile, J.J. Redick has been outspoken about his desire to trot out a nine-man rotation and as it currently stands, that means Gabe Vincent, Max Christie and Jaxson Haynes will see time. I also think Redick will go with rookie Dalton Knecht over Cam Reddish, but that’s something to keep an eye on. Overall, it’s fair to assume that Minnesota’s depth and lineup is better than Los Angeles’, which is bad news because with LeBron as a Laker, the team has gone 0-6 SU (0-6 ATS) in season-openers.
Get up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets at BetMGM! All you need to do is CLICK HERE, sign up for a new account, make your first deposit and bet! Don’t miss out!
Related
