5 Dark Horses Challenging for the 2020-21 NBA Championship

#3 Denver Nuggets

The Denver Nuggets have been steadily improving season after season for the past few years and could finally be ready to become NBA champions. Built on a solid defensive unit, the Nuggets have the correct mix of raw young talent and two superstars.

Finishing third in the West, the Nuggets were arguably the only opposition that could challenge the Los Angeles teams. Not known for the history or glamour the LA teams carry, the Denver Nuggets have worked hard for their respect. After last season, they may finally have it.

Center Nikola Jokić is regarded as one of the, if not the, elite players at his position. Bullying opposition with his size and weight, Jokić can also step out beyond the arc and shoots at over 80 percent from the free throw line. At only 24, the center has a lot still to give to the franchise and now has the help of guard Jamal Murray who caught fire in the playoffs, scoring 50 points in two games against the Utah Jazz.

#4 Dallas Mavericks

At No. 4 are the Dallas Mavericks and probably the most outside bet in this list of challengers for the NBA Championship. The Mavericks are a team led by two stars whose career trajectories will only rise but lack the playoff experience that some of the other teams on this list possess.

Nevertheless, the Mavericks were one of the most entertaining teams to watch last season, largely because of Luka Dončić and Kristaps Porziņģis. The former is a defender's nightmare, scoring 28 points as well as grabbing nine boards and almost nine assists throughout the season.

A problem that could hamper the Mavericks' attempts to challenge the West's elites this season will be their lack of depth. Combining this with the necessity to keep Porziņģis fit, Dallas will have to be careful how they manage their leaders' minutes if they are to compete at the top.

#5 Boston Celtics

Boston Celtics v Miami Heat - Game Six

The Celtics have been rebuilding for some time now and have gathered a squad that finally put them close to winning the Eastern Conference. Built on small-ball tactics, the Celtics have scorers in Hayward, Walker and Tatum but also have one of the meanest defenses in the league.

1-2 🥊 in action🗓️ 𝟏𝟏/𝟏𝟑/𝟏𝟗 pic.twitter.com/qtaRdU9Hq2

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) November 13, 2020

Continually adding to their playoff experience, the Celtics may finally be at a stage where they can challenge for a championship. They were able to ground out performances when they weren't playing particularly well, especially against the Toronto Raptors. All eyes will be on Brooklyn and Milwaukee, but it could be Boston that is the surprise team this year.