Here’s how I see the division races finishing — #1 through #8.
My Predictions
(projected wins and rank as of March 6)
EAST
Bucks (57-25) (#1)
Raptors (54-28) (#2)
76ers (52-30) (#4)
Celtics (47-35) (#5)
Pacers (46-36) (#3)
Nets (42-40) (#7)
Pistons (40-42) (#6)
Magic (38-44) (#9)
(Heat, currently #8, projected to fall out)
WEST
Warriors (55-26) (#1)
Nuggets (52-30) (#2)
Blazers (50-32) (#5)
Thunder (48-34) (#4)
Rockets (47-35) (#3)
Jazz (47-35) (#6)
Spurs (44-38) (#7)
Kings (42-40) (#9)
(Clippers, currently #8, projected to fall out)
Projected Playoff Pairings, Round 1
EAST
Bucks v Magic
Celtics v. Pacers
76ers v. Nets
Raptors v. Pistons
WEST
Warriors v. Kings
Thunder v. Rockets
Blazers v. Jazz
Nuggets v. Spurs
The East, the Top-heavy Conference
In the East, it looks more and more as though the Bucks and Raptors might clash in the Eastern Finals. The new look 76ers and Celtics are also threats.
The Pacers are an interesting team even without their best player, Victor Oladipo. That’s because they have great play from Myles Turner and Bojan Bogdanovic, who’s averaging 17.5 points a game.
The Brooklyn Nets, which surged in the first half of the season, have fallen off a bit. Russell and crew look to make a push for the 7th spot. Joe Harris has come on as of late. After winning the three-point contest, he has been shooting lights out from three at a 47.2 rate!
The Nets need to keep an eye on the Pistons, Hornets, and Magic. Blake Griffin and his Motown crew have looked better after the All-Star break. The Hornets and Magic will most likely fight it out for the 8-seed. I see the Magic edging out the Hornets, perhaps by as many as three games.
The West in a Nutshell
No LeBron James in the Playoffs is weird to consider, but it sure looks like the turmoil-full Lakers won’t be making the playoffs. Going into LA, LeBron knew it was going to be tough competing with the likes of the Warriors, Rockets, and Thunder. But the West is even deeper than that, and King James is experiencing that reality first-hand.
The Warriors will be the one-seed and are primed to return to the NBA Finals for the 5th straight year. The upstart Nuggets could stand in their way. That’s because Nikola Jokic and the young core of the Nuggets will be a dangerous out.
The third-seed OKC could make a run at the title this year. Paul George is in the conversation for MVP and will probably win the Most Improved Player at the very least.
The Rockets have ‘The Beard” and that means Houston has a chance to reach the WCF. The Blazers have a deep bench that will pay playoff dividends. The Jazz is on the rise because Donovan Mitchell and cast is looking better and better.
What about the ‘Race for 8th?” I see the Kings making it over the LA Clippers as Fox and Hield up their games to a playoff level. Yes, the Clippers have a solid squad, but I believe the Clippers’ run will come to an end.
