NBA: 6 teams facing most pressure to finally win championship in 2023-24

NBA: 6 teams facing the most pressure to finally win the championship in 2023-24

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MAY 05: Devin Booker #1 and Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns celebrate during Game Three of the NBA Western Conference Semifinals at Footprint Center on May 05, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Nuggets 121-114. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

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Six NBA teams are facing more pressure than most to win the 2023 NBA Championship.

There is always pressure on last year’s champs to repeat. Critics always ask, “Can they do it again?” Their title run is often looked at as a fluke if they don’t repeat. The distinction of defending champs among NBA teams going into the 2023-24 season goes to the Denver Nuggets.

Teams knocking on the door of winning a championship feel the pressure of getting over the hump. We saw it with the Nuggets last season before they won. The Miami Heat have been to the NBA Finals twice and the conference finals three times in four seasons without winning a title.

Then, there are teams who have superstars either in their prime or approaching their prime. They feel the pressure of routinely fielding contending teams to keep their stars happy. This is due to fear that they will leave in free agency or request a trade. Milwaukee (Giannis Antetokounmpo), Dallas (Luka Doncic), Atlanta (Trae Young), and Cleveland (Donovan Mitchell) immediately come to mind.

Other teams feel pressure to win now for other reasons. Some are self-inflicted. Which teams have the most pressure to win it all in 2023-24? Here we go.

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