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SAN ANTONIOSPURS

THE STARTING 5G Tony Parker (16.7 ppg, 5.7 apg)G Danny Green (9.1 ppg, 41.5% 3s)F Kawhi Leonard (12.8 ppg, 6.2 rpg) F Tim Duncan (15.1 ppg, 9.7 rpg) C Tiago Splitter (8.2 ppg, 52.3% FG)COACH Gregg Popovich, 19th seasonOUTLOOK Everyone is back, because that’s what the Spurs do. About the only thing the Spurs haven’t done yet is win back-to-back titles. With Popov-ich managing minutes and having his team ready to roll in the playoffs better than any other coach, and an unselfish and seemingly ageless trio of stars in Duncan, Parker and Manu Ginobili, the Spurs are primed to make a run.

DALLASMAVERICKS

THE STARTING 5G Jameer Nelson (12.1 ppg, 7.0 apg)G Monta Ellis (19.0 ppg, 5.7 apg)F Chandler Parsons (16.6 ppg, 5.5 rpg)F Dirk Nowitzki (21.7 ppg, 6.2 rpg)C Tyson Chandler (8.7 ppg, 9.6 rpg)COACH Rick Carlisle, seventh seasonOUTLOOK Several factors are fueling expectations of a high finish in the tough Western Conference, start-ing with the return of Chandler, the emotional leader for the franchise’s only championship in 2011. Ellis and Parsons give the Mavericks their best chance yet to have a leading scorer not named Nowitzki for the first time since 2000.

MEMPHISGRIZZLIES

THE STARTING 5G Michael Conley (17.2 ppg, 6.0 apg)G Courtney Lee (9.6 ppg, 2.4 rpg)F Tayshaun Prince (6.0 ppg, 3.1 rpg)F Zach Randolph (17.4 ppg, 10.1 rpg)C Marc Gasol (14.6 ppg, 7.2 rpg)COACH Dave Joerger, second seasonOUTLOOK Controlling owner Robert Pera shook up the front office in May, gave Joerger an extension and spent some money on a mental endur-ance coach. The Grizzlies will not be satisfied with extending the franchise-record four straight playoff berths, and they believe their bench is deep enough to help them make a run back to the Western Finals.

HOUSTONROCKETS

THE STARTING 5G Patrick Beverley (10.2 ppg, 3.5 rpg)G James Harden (25.4 ppg, 6.1 apg)F Trevor Ariza (14.4 ppg, 6.2 rpg)F Terrence Jones (12.1 ppg, 6.9 rpg)C Dwight Howard (18.3 ppg, 12.2 rpg)COACH Kevin McHale, fourth seasonOUTLOOK With Howard and Harden, the Rockets have a core for success and almost are guaranteed another trip to the playoffs. The key will be if the other starters can step up and if Ariza can improve their lackluster de-fense. If those two things happen, the Rockets could make it to the second round — or beyond — for the first time since 2009.

NEW ORLEANSPELICANS

THE STARTING 5G Jrue Holiday (14.3 ppg, 7.9 apg)G Eric Gordon (15.4 ppg, 3.3 apg)F Tyreke Evans (14.5 ppg, 5.0 apg)F Anthony Davis (20.8 ppg, 10.0 rpg)C Omer Asik (5.8 ppg, 7.09 rpg)COACH Monty Williams, fifth seasonOUTLOOK The Pelicans expect the in-side presence of the 7-foot Asik to give Davis the freedom to provide help de-fense farther from the basket, release quicker on the fast break and expand his all-court game. Williams is trying to determine whether the 6-6 Evans can thrive as an undersized small forward. If the club can stay healthy, it could emerge as a playoff contender.

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OKLAHOMA CITYTHUNDER

THE STARTING 5G Russell Westbrook (21.8 ppg, 6.9 apg)G Reggie Jackson (13.1 ppg, 4.1 apg)F Kevin Durant (32.0 ppg, 7.4 rpg)F Serge Ibaka (15.1 ppg, 2.7 bpg)C Steven Adams (3.3 ppg, 4.1 rpg)COACH Scott Brooks, eighth seasonOUTLOOK The Thunder are on the verge of breaking through with the addition of Anthony Morrow, one of the league’s best 3-point shooters. If Durant’s injury is as minor as the team says, the Thunder have as good a chance as any team out West of representing the conference in the NBA Finals.

PORTLANDTRAIL BLAZERS

THE STARTING 5G Damian Lillard (20.7 ppg, 5.6 apg)G Wesley Matthews (16.4 ppg, 3.5 rpg)F Nicolas Batum (13.0 ppg, 7.5 rpg)F LaMarcus Aldridge (26.2 ppg, 10.6 rpg)C Robin Lopez (11.1 ppg, 8.5 rpg)COACH Terry Stotts, third seasonOUTLOOK With the return of all of their starters and boosted by last year’s appearance in the conference semifinals for the first time in 14 years, the Blazers will no doubt compete in the West. The team made a smart move this summer with the acquisition of Chris Kaman to complement Lopez. It assures Aldridge will have a big man on the floor with him most of the time.

DENVERNUGGETS

THE STARTING 5PG Ty Lawson (17.6 ppg, 8.8 apg)G Arron Afflalo (18.2 ppg, 3.6 rpg)F Kenneth Faried (13.7 ppg, 8.6 rpg)F Danilo Gallinari (16.2 ppg, 5.2 rpg)C Timofey Mozgov (9.4 ppg, 6.4 rpg)COACH Brian Shaw, second seasonOUTLOOK The Nuggets were hit hard by injuries in Shaw’s first season in charge as J.J. Hickson and Nate Robin-son suffered knee injuries and JaVale McGee missed a chunk of the season with a left tibia stress fracture. Shaw’s hoping the acquisition of Afflalo will be the piece that returns the Nuggets to the playoffs after sitting out last sea-son for the first time since 2002-03.

MINNESOTAT’WOLVES

THE STARTING 5G Ricky Rubio (9.5 ppg, 8.6 apg)G Kevin Martin (19.1 ppg, 38.7% 3s)F Andrew Wiggins (17.1 ppg at Kansas)F Thaddeus Young (17.9 ppg, 6.0 rpg)C Nikola Pekovic (17.5 ppg, 8.7 rpg)COACH Flip Saunders, first seasonOUTLOOK Making his return to the bench for a second tour in Minnesota, Saunders believes the Wolves are a lot closer to being in the hyper competi-tive Western Conference playoff mix than many think. The Wolves hope that better chemistry and a mix of youth and experience will make them a surprise. It’s likely they’re at least a year away from being a factor.

UTAHJAZZ

THE STARTING 5G Trey Burke (12.8 ppg, 3 rpg, 5.7 apg)G Alec Burks (14 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 2.7 apg)F Gordon Hayward (16.2 ppg, 5.2 apg)F Derrick Favors (13.3 ppg, 8.7 rpg)C Enes Kanter (12.3 ppg, 7.5 rpg)COACH Quin Snyder, first seasonOUTLOOK The Jazz are seriously young, with 15 of the players invited to training camp 25 or younger. But rather than being a liability, this could be an advantage for the Jazz. The young squad will be more easily teachable as Snyder looks to install his own system and improve on a defense that was ranked last in the league last season.

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LOS ANGELESCLIPPERS

THE STARTING 5G Chris Paul (19.1 ppg, 10.7 apg)G J.J. Redick (15.2 ppg, 2.2 apg)F Blake Griffin (24.1 ppg, 9.5 rpg)F Matt Barnes (9.9 ppg, 4.6 rpg)C DeAndre Jordan (10.4 pgg, 13.6 rpg)COACH Doc Rivers, second seasonOUTLOOK Steve Ballmer, the former Microsoft CEO, spent a record $2 billion to buy the team and has vowed to give Rivers and his players whatever they need to win a championship. If the Clippers don’t at least advance to the Western Conference finals for the first time in franchise history, their season will be considered a disappointment.

GOLDEN STATEWARRIORS

THE STARTING 5G Stephen Curry (24.0 ppg, 8.5 apg)G Klay Thompson (18.4 ppg, 3.1 rpg)F Andre Iguodala (9.3 ppg, 4.7 rpg)F David Lee (18.2 ppg, 9.3 rpg)C Andrew Bogut (7.3 ppg, 10.0 rpg)COACH Steve Kerr, first seasonOUTLOOK The starting lineup might be as good as any in the NBA, the bench should be better, they landed the much-hyped Kerr and if they can stay healthy — a big if the past two years, especially with Bogut — the Warriors should be among the favor-ites in the Western Conference.

PHOENIXSUNS

THE STARTING 5G Eric Bledsoe (17.7 ppg, 5.5 apg)G Goran Dragic (20.3 ppg, 5.9 apg)F P.J. Tucker (9.4 ppg, 6.5 rpg)F Anthony Tolliver (6.1 ppg, 2.6 rpg) or Markieff Morris (13.8 ppg, 6.0 rpg)C Miles Plumlee (8.1 ppg, 7.8 rpg)COACH Jeff Hornacek, second seasonOUTLOOK Hornacek wants the Suns to play even faster than they did a year ago, when they led the NBA in fastbreak points. The team didn’t do much to strengthen its frontcourt, counting on second-year center Alex Len to show improvement and Plumlee to make progress in his second full season.

LOS ANGELESLAKERS

THE STARTING 5G Jeremy Lin (12.5 ppg, 4.1 apg)G Kobe Bryant (13.8 ppg, 6.3 apg)F Wesley Johnson (9.1 ppg, 4.4 rpg)F Carlos Boozer (13.7 ppg, 8.3 rpg)C Jordan Hill (9.7 ppg, 7.4 rpg)COACH Byron Scott, first seasonOUTLOOK It hasn’t been this bleak in Lakerland in decades. It’s tough to say Los Angeles has improved last season’s 27-win team, and the injury problems that crippled last year’s lineup have already sprouted again in the preseason with Nick Young and Steve Nash. If Bryant is healthy, though, the Lakers have a chance to contend for a postseason berth.

SACRAMENTOKINGS

THE STARTING 5G Darren Collison (11.4 ppg, 3.7 apg)G Ben McLemore (8.8 ppg, 2.9 rpg)F Rudy Gay (20.1 ppg, 5.5 rpg)F Reggie Evans (5.5 ppg, 7.7 rpg)C DeMarcus Cousins (22.7 ppg, 11.7 rpg)COACH Michael Malone, second seasonOUTLOOK Sacramento made strides late last season behind Cousins and Gay, who showed they could score with any of the NBA’s best duos. Whether Malone can get the Kings to play team defense remains a major question. Sacramento also is stuck in a difficult division and a deep conference, so even if they improve the Kings will likely end up in the same spot.

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CLEVELANDCAVALIERS

THE STARTING 5G Kyrie Irving (20.8 ppg, 6.1 apg)G Dion Waiters (15.0 ppg, 3.0 apg)F LeBron James (27.1 ppg, 6.3 apg)F Kevin Love (26.1 ppg, 12.5 rpg)C Tristan Thompson (11.7 ppg, 9.2 rpg)COACH David Blatt, first seasonOUTLOOK Blatt has installed an up-tempo offense to maximize the Cavs’ immense firepower. Defense, though, will determine how far Cleveland goes this season along with how well all the talent meshes. It could take some time, and there are bound to be bumps in the road, but there’s no reason why this team shouldn’t win the Eastern Conference title.

CHICAGOBULLS

THE STARTING 5G Derrick Rose (15.9 ppg, 4.3 apg)G Jimmy Butler (13.1 ppg, 4.9 rpg)F Mike Dunleavy (11.3 ppg, 4.2 rpg)F Pau Gasol (17.4 ppg, 9.7 rpg)C Joakim Noah (12.6 ppg, 11.3 rpg)COACH Tom Thibodeau, fifth seasonOUTLOOK The Bulls wooed Carmelo Anthony in free agency and ultimately wound up with Gasol. As consolations go, that’s not bad. With Rose back and Gasol in the mix, the Bulls believe they can contend for the Eastern Confer-ence championship.

INDIANAPACERS

THE STARTING 5G George Hill (10.3 ppg, 3.7 rpg)G Rodney Stuckey (13.9 ppg, 2.3 rpg)F C.J. Miles (9.9 ppg, 2.0 rpg)F David West (14.0 ppg, 6.8 rpg)C Roy Hibbert (10.8 ppg, 6.6 rpg)COACH Frank Vogel, fifth seasonOUTLOOK Losing Lance Stephenson hurt. Losing Paul George a month later will force Indiana to put the title hopes on hold. Reaching the playoffs this season would be a major feat. Advanc-ing in the playoffs would be better than expected.

DETROITPISTONS

THE STARTING 5G Brandon Jennings (15.5 ppg, 7.6 apg)G Jodie Meeks (15.7 ppg, 2.5 rpg)F Josh Smith (16.4 ppg, 6.8 rpg)F Greg Monroe (15.2 ppg, 9.3 rpg)C Andre Drummond (13.5 ppg, 13.2 rpg)COACH Stan Van Gundy, first seasonOUTLOOK The Pistons tried to bolster their outside shooting with their off-season acquisitions, although Meeks already is going to miss the start of the season. Van Gundy the coach will try to help Detroit end its playoff drought, but if the Pistons flounder again and Monroe leaves, Van Gundy the team president may be more crucial to this team’s immediate future.

MILWAUKEEBUCKS

THE STARTING 5G Brandon Knight (17.9 ppg, 4.9 apg)G Kendall Marshall (8.0 ppg, 8.8 apg)F Ersan Ilyasova (11.2 ppg, 6.2 rpg)F Jabari Parker (rookie from Duke)C Larry Sanders (7.7 ppg, 7.2 rpg)COACH Jason Kidd, first seasonOUTLOOK Things seemingly can only get better after last season’s 67-loss debacle. Kidd needs Sanders to shake off a 2013-14 season plagued by injuries and off-court issues, and solid point guard play from Knight and Marshall. Parker already seems like a polished veteran, and Giannis Antetok-ounmpo is drawing attention for more than just his name.

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TORONTORAPTORS

THE STARTING 5G Kyle Lowry (17.9 ppg, 7.4 apg)G DeMar DeRozan (22.7 ppg, 4.3 rpg)G/F Terrence Ross (10.9 ppg, 3.1 rpg)F Amir Johnson (10.4 ppg, 6.6 rpg)C Jonas Valanciunas (11.3 ppg, 8.8 rpg)COACH Dwane Casey, fourth seasonOUTLOOK Toronto kept its core intact by re-signing Lowry, G Greivis Vasquez and F Patrick Patterson, and improved its bench by adding scorer Lou Wil-liams and defensive stopper James Johnson. A repeat title in the weak Atlantic looks likely, but true progress will be measured in the playoffs. Now in their 20th season, the Raptors have only won one postseason series.

NEW YORKKNICKS

THE STARTING 5G Jose Calderon (11.4 ppg, 4.7 apg)G Iman Shumpert (6.7 ppg, 4.2 rpg)F Carmelo Anthony (27.4 ppg, 8.1 rpg)F Andrea Bargnani (13.3 ppg, 5.3 rpg)C Samuel Dalembert (6.6 ppg, 6.8 rpg)COACH Derek Fisher, first seasonOUTLOOK Phil Jackson has said he believes the Knicks can be a playoff team in his first full season as team president. Even if that goal falls short, having the 11-time champion as a coach in place gives a longtime dys-functional organization stability at the top and the hope of a better future.

BROOKLYNNETS

THE STARTING 5G Deron Williams (14.3 ppg, 6.1 apg)G Joe Johnson (15.8 ppg, 3.4 rpg)F Bojan Bogdanovic (rookie)F Kevin Garnett (6.5 ppg, 6.6 rpg)C Brook Lopez (20.7 ppg, 6.0 rpg)COACH Lionel Hollins, first seasonOUTLOOK The payroll is lower and so are the expectations after the Nets went into last season thinking their big-spending ways had assembled a title contender. But if Lopez and Williams stay healthy after offseason surgeries, they might end up being a better team.

BOSTONCELTICS

THE STARTING 5G Marcus Smart (rookie)G Avery Bradley (14.9 ppg, 3.8 rpg)F Jeff Green (16.9 ppg, 4.6 rpg)F Jared Sullinger (13.3 ppg, 8.1 rpg)C Kelly Olynyk (8.7 ppg, 5.2 rpg)COACH Brad Stevens, second seasonOUTLOOK Stevens impressed onlook-ers with his style last year and the Celtics have done a great job collecting assets for the future. That all being said, even if Rajon Rondo comes back as strong as ever, Boston is probably still going to be looking up at the playoff-bound.

PHILADELPHIA76ERS

THE STARTING 5G Tony Wroten (13.0 ppg, 3.2 rpg)G K.J. McDaniels (rookie)F Hollis Thompson (6.0 ppg, 3.2 rpg)F Nerlens Noel (rookie)F Henry Sims (11.8 ppg, 7.0 rpg)COACH Brett Brown, second seasonOUTLOOK Grim. The 76ers matched an NBA record last season with a 26-game losing streak. With rookie of the year Michael Carter-Williams sidelined indefinitely with a shoulder injury — and with Joel Embiid possibly out for the season — the Sixers don’t return a single starter from last season and could struggle to match last season’s win total of 19 wins.

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WASHINGTONWIZARDS

THE STARTING 5G John Wall (19.3 ppg, 8.8 apg)G Bradley Beal (17.1 ppg, 3.7 rpg)F Paul Pierce (13.5 ppg, 4.6 rpg)F Nene (14.2 ppg, 5.5 rpg)C Marcin Gortat (13.2 ppg, 9.5 rpg)COACH Randy Wittman, fourth seasonOUTLOOK Pretty good, which hasn’t been said about the Wizards in a long time. Replacing Trevor Ariza’s defense will be tough, and Beal will be missed early on, but Pierce adds veteran savvy, and the experience and excite-ment of last season’s return to the playoffs after several dormant years has energized the franchise.

MIAMIHEAT

THE STARTING 5G Norris Cole (6.4 ppg, 3.0 apg)G Dwyane Wade (19.0 ppg, 4.7 apg)F Luol Deng (16.0 ppg, 5.7 rpg)F Josh McRoberts (8.5 ppg, 4.8 rpg)C Chris Bosh (16.2 ppg, 6.6 rpg)COACH Erik Spoelstra, seventh seasonOUTLOOK No, the Heat aren’t as talented as they’ve been in the past four years that ended in the NBA Finals. But there’s still a proven system and proven stars, plus a solid core of newcomers. Miami likely will get better as the season goes along.

CHARLOTTEHORNETS

THE STARTING 5G Kemba Walker (17.7 ppg, 6.1 apg)G Lance Stephenson (13.8 ppg, 7.2 rpg)F Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (7.2 ppg, 5.2 rpg)F Marvin Williams (9.1 ppg, 5.1 rpg)C Al Jefferson (21.8 ppg, 10.8 rpg)COACH Steve Clifford, second seasonOUTLOOK Charlotte has a new name and new expectations after reaching the playoffs last season, and the 7-59 campaign from three years ago now seems like a distant memory. After signing free agents Jefferson and Stephenson in back-to-back seasons, the Hornets could compete for a top four seed in the East.

ATLANTAHAWKS

THE STARTING 5G Jeff Teague (16.5 ppg, 6.7 apg)G Kyle Korver (12.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg)F Paul Millsap (17.9 ppg, 8.5 rpg)F DeMarre Carroll (11.1 ppg, 5.5 rpg)C Al Horford (18.6 ppg, 8.4 rpg)COACH Mike Budenholzer, second seasonOUTLOOK There is much stability on the roster and much turmoil in man-agement following racially charged comments from co-owner Bruce Levenson and general manager Danny Ferry. Teague, Horford and others prospered in Budenholzer’s scheme he brought from Spurs, and Hawks should return to playoffs.

ORLANDOMAGIC

THE STARTING 5G Elfrid Payton (rookie)G Victor Oladipo (13.8 ppg, 4.1 rpg)F Tobias Harris (14.6 ppg, 7.0 rpg)F Channing Frye (11.1 ppg, 5.1 rpg)C Nikola Vucevic (14.2 ppg, 11.0 rpg)COACH Jacque Vaughn, third seasonOUTLOOK There is plenty to like about the young pieces the Magic have assembled despite not landing the top 3 in this summer’s draft. It should produce more wins this season, but this group will need time to mature. General manager Rob Hennigan and Vaughn have the confidence of the Magic bosses, having both had their contract options picked up for 2015-16.

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2014-15 NBA SEASON PREVIEW BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESSTEAMS RANKED IN ORDER OF PREDICTED FINISH

Top teams in each conference as selected by Associated Press writers Tim Reynolds and Jon Krawczynski.

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H » The 2014-15 NBA regular season tips off Tuesday night. The NBA playoffs start April 18.