5 Dark Horses Challenging for the 2020-21 NBA Championship

The LA Lakers may have had it their own way last season and lived up to their tag as preseason favorites. However, for the past few years there have been several teams under development who could be ready to knock the Lakers off their pedestal in the 2020-21 NBA season.

The Miami Heat produced an inspiring display prevailing in the East and will certainly be looking to repeat this feat. In this article we will look at the Heat's credentials as well as four other teams'.

5 teams that could challenge during the 2020-21 NBA season

This season will be one like no other, yet despite the empty arenas, it could be one of the most exciting and open seasons in recent years. Here are five sides who we believe could battle for an NBA Championship.

#1 Miami Heat

Miami Heat after winning the Eastern Conference

The Miami Heat surprised a lot of NBA fans last season and brought a breath of fresh air to the Eastern Conference. Their young roster played as if they had nothing to lose and were led by Jimmy Butler's steely determination. Having crushed the Milwaukee Bucks, the Heat then proved too strong for the Boston Celtics in the Conference Finals.

It wasn't until they came up against LeBron's Lakers that Miami struggled to score, strangled by their opponents' gritty defensive structure. Coming into this NBA season, the Heat will be looking to channel the experience gained from last year. Don't be surprised if teams focus on forcing Miami's 3-point specialists into high-risk shots. They were a side, after all, who consistently scored over 100 points in both their Conference Semifinal and Final series.

Jimmy Butler will be hoping to carry his young teammates to the No. 1 seed in the East. For this to happen, he will be looking at the front office to add some experienced assets and perhaps one more All-Star if they are to challenge for a ring again.

#2 Brooklyn Nets

Brooklyn Nets v Toronto Raptors - Game Two

Another exciting prospect coming out of the East in this season's NBA will be the Brooklyn Nets. Already a gritty team who work hard on both ends of the floor, the stars could align for the Nets this year as Kevin Durant returns from his long-term injury. Playing alongside Kyrie Irving and with new head coach Steve Nash in charge, that is a level of postseason experience and talent some teams could only wish for.

Extremely shorthanded heading into the bubble, a depleted Brooklyn Nets finished as the 7th seed with a 5-3 record. Despite getting swept by the Raptors, they have a roster that will put together a serious challenge if kept fit this season in the NBA. Add to the All-Stars prolific scorers Spencer Dinwiddie and Joe Harris, the Nets have an all-around lineup that will go under the radar but could achieve great things.

#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.

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.