Here are my predictions for the upcoming NBA season. Let’s check back in six months to see how poorly I did.
I’m very high on Houston, as I think they’ll win the championship. A quick explanation of my reasoning: They’re the deepest team in the league, with quality players up and down the roster, they have two studs (Dwight Howard, Ty Lawson), and one superduperstar (James Harden). I wouldn’t pick them to win the championship if my life depended on it–if it did, I’d go with a safer pick in Golden State or Cleveland–but I think they’ve got as good a shot at it as any other team and besides, everyone else is picking the Warriors or Cavs so it’s a lot more fun to go out on a limb with the Rockets.
Without further ado, here are my predictions for the upcoming NBA season:
(Ranked in order of record, not seed)
Eastern Conference
- Washington
- Cleveland
- Chicago
- Boston
- Indiana
- Atlanta
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Toronto
- New York
- Detroit
- Orlando
- Charlotte
- Brooklyn
- Philadelphia
Western Conference
- Golden State
- Houston
- LA Clippers
- San Antonio
- Oklahoma City
- New Orleans
- Utah
- Memphis
- Phoenix
- Minnesota
- LA Lakers
- Denver
- Portland
- Dallas
- Sacramento
Round 1
Golden State over Memphis (5 games)
Houston over Utah (6)
LA Clippers over New Orleans (6)
San Antonio over Oklahoma City (7)
Washington over Milwaukee (5)
Cleveland over Miami (5)
Chicago over Atlanta (5)
Boston over Indiana (7)
Round 2
GS over San Antonio (7)
Houston over LAC (7)
Washington over Boston (5)
Cleveland over Chicago (5)
Round 3
Houston over GS (6)
Cleveland over Washington (6)
NBA Finals
Houston over Cleveland (7)
Awards
MVP: Anthony Davis (Runners-up in some order: James Harden, Stephen Curry, John Wall)
DPOY: Rudy Gobert (Draymond Green, Kawhi Leonard, Anthony Davis)
COY: Alvin Gentry (Billy Donovan, Randy Wittman, Brad Stevens, Gregg Popovich, Frank Vogel)
EOY: Daryl Morey (Doc Rivers, RC Buford, Danny Ainge)
ROY: Karl-Anthony Towns (D’Angelo Russell, Jahlil Okafor, Emmanuel Mudiay)
MIP: Bradley Beal (Kris Humphries, Kelly Olynyk)
SMOY: Isaiah Thomas (Justise Winslow/Luol Deng)
CPOY: Kevin Durant (Paul George, Kobe Bryant)
Best Odds to Win Conferences and Championship
Washington +1800 to win EC
Houston +1000 to win WC
Washington +5000 to win NBA Finals
Houston +1600 to win NBA Finals
Over/Unders
Atlanta: 49.5: Under
Boston: 42.5: Over (Best Bet)
Brooklyn: 28.5: Under
Charlotte: 32.5: Under
Chicago: 49.5: Over
Cleveland: 56.5: Under
Dallas: 38.5: Under (Best Bet)
Denver: 26.5: Under
Detroit: 33.5: Over
Golden State: 60.5: Over
Houston: 54.5: Over (Best Bet)
Indiana: 42.5: Over
LAC: 56.5: Under
LAL: 29.5: Under
Memphis: 50.5: Under (Best Bet)
Miami: 45.5: Over
Milwaukee: 43.5: Over
Minnesota: 25.5: Over
New Orleans: 47.5: Over
New York: 31.5: Over
Oklahoma City: 57.5: Under
Orlando: 32.5: Over
Philadelphia: 21.5: Under
Phoenix: 36.5: Under
Portland: 26.5: Under
Sacramento: 30.5: Under
San Antonio: 58.5: Under (Best Bet)
Toronto: 45.5: Under
Utah: 40.5: Over
Washington: 45.5: Over (Best Bet)
Sushi on Sports 