NBA 2020-2021 Predictions

I took the year off last year because of NBA's stance supporting China.  I'm back this year.

Eastern Conference:

1.       Milwaukee

2.       Miami

3.       Toronto

4.       Boston

5.       Philadelphia

6.       Washington

7.       Brooklyn

8.       Atlanta

9.       Indiana

10.     Orlando

11.     Chicago

12.     Cleveland

13.     Detroit

14.     Charlotte

15.     New York

Playoffs:

·         Milwaukee over Atlanta, Miami over Brooklyn, Toronto over Washington, Philadelphia over Boston

·         Milwaukee over Philadelphia, Miami over Toronto

·         Milwaukee over Miami

Western Conference:

1.       LA Lakers

2.       LA Clippers

3.       Denver

4.       Dallas

5.       Utah

6.       Portland

7.       Phoenix

8.       Sacramento

9.       New Orleans

10.     Memphis

11.     Minnesota

12.     San Antonio

13.     Houston

14.     Golden State

15.     Oklahoma City

Playoffs:

·         Lakers over Sacramento, Phoenix over Clippers, Denver over Portland, Utah over Dallas

·         Lakers over Utah, Denver over Phoenix

·         Denver over Lakers

More notes:

·         The East is more dangerous than people realize.  Miami is dangerous, and Toronto is deep.  But I think this is Giannis' year.  No one in the East has an answer for him

·         The Lakers are the best team in the West... but they are still dependent on two superstars, and now on very short rest.  The Clippers are the deepest team, which is why I'm high on them in the regular season... but I think they are the team most likely to stumble in the playoffs.  I think Denver is sick of being ignored and may go on a rampage.

·         MVP?  The general preseason consensus is Luka Doncic.  If Dallas plays well, he will win

·         ROY?  Would love it to be Isaac Okoro.  But I think Tyrese Haliburton might have the easiest path.

·         Finals?  Two teams desperate to overcome their past.  Denver is deep... but Milwaukee has Giannis.  The Greek Freak wins his first title, 4 games to 2

·         James Harden is traded, but not until he's sunk Houston's season.  Don't know where he's going to

·       I'm very high on Washington (Westbrook and Beal are a great combination, and they have depth), and very low on Brooklyn (Durant is awesome- but if there ever was a team that looked great on paper that lacked the teamwork, it's them)