Watch: Pierce predicts Thunder will win 2018 NBA championship

A fourth straight NBA Finals matchup between the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers feels as safe a bet as any for the upcoming season.

Former All-Star and current ESPN analyst Paul Pierce feels another team is going to put themselves in the mix and ultimately end up as the last team standing, come June.

"The Oklahoma City Thunder will raise the Larry O'Brien trophy this year, with Russell Westbrook being the MVP," Pierce said Thursday during ESPN's "The Jump."

After getting bounced in the first round in 2016-17, following a 47-win campaign, the Thunder hit it out of the park this summer by acquiring Paul George and Carmelo Anthony to combine with Westbrook.

Bovada lists Oklahoma City as having the fifth-best odds of becoming champions, behind Golden State, Cleveland, the Boston Celtics, and San Antonio Spurs.