Story lines to tip off a new season

The Celtics don’t begin play until tomorrow, but the new NBA season tips off tonight with three games. Here are some story lines that await:

CHALLENGERS TO CLEVELAND’S THRONE

GOLDEN STATE: The most obvious candidate, it would be shocking if the reloaded Warriors — led by back-to-back MVP Steph Curry and now Durant — don't make it back to the Finals for a rematch with the Cavs.

SAN ANTONIO: The Spurs lost Tim Duncan, but they should be just fine without him. Pau Gasol joins LaMarcus Aldridge and MVP candidate Kawhi Leonard on a team that won 67 games last season but are motivated after losing in six games to the Thunder in the conference semifinals.

TORONTO: The Raptors are still Cleveland's top threat in the East — despite the Celtics' expected improvement — after making last year's conference finals competitive. Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan are back with valuable playoff experience under their belts.

THREE ON THE RISE

UTAH: There's loads of intrigue with the Jazz this season after the offseason additions of veterans George Hill, Joe Johnson and Boris Diaw to a young core of Gordon Hayward, Rudy Gobert, Derrick Favors and a healthy Dante Exum. Utah is deep and should make the playoffs after narrowly missing them last year.

MINNESOTA: The Wolves boast back-to-back Rookie of the Year winners in Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns that lead a group that will be one of the most fun to watch this season. They're still very young, but a playoff push this season wouldn't be surprising.

INDIANA: The Pacers went through a dramatic summer shakeup headlined by the headscratching move of firing coach Frank Vogel in favor of Nate McMillan, but they also added Jeff Teague and Thaddeus Young, who should complement Paul George and Myles Turner well.

THREE ON THE DECLINE

OKLAHOMA CITY: It's almost impossible not to take a step back after your franchise cornerstone leaves, but Russell Westbrook should be able to keep the Thunder relevant.

MIAMI: With Wade gone and Chris Bosh's future uncertain, a rebuild in South Beach appears to be imminent.

ATLANTA: The Hawks are essentially replacing Al Horford and Jeff Teague with Dwight Howard and Dennis Schroder. The Hawks are going backwards.