NBA Predictions

So where are we at this point of the NBA season? If the playoffs would start today we'd have these teams in the East:

1. Cleveland
2. Orlando
3. Boston
4. Atlanta
5. Toronto
6. Chicago
7. Miami
8. Charlotte

and in the West, we'd have:

1. L.A. Lakers
2. Denver
3. Utah
4. Dallas
5. Oklahoma City
6. Phoenix
7. San Antonio
8. Portland

Finally, all teams that would participate would have a .500 or above record. This hasn't happened since the 2004-05 season! Obviously the season is not over so the teams might not all be above .500 but this statistic is definitely worth pointing out.

The teams in the east seem more of a threat now than they were earlier on in this season. Obviously, the Cavs, Magic, and Celtics were known as the three primary teams that could win the finals--but suddenly the Hawks are getting up in the race because of their energetic young group; the Raptors won eight of their last ten; the Bulls are on the longest active Eastern Conference winning streak right now; the Heat are a respectable competitor for their win in 2006 and dominance this past decade; and the Bobcats are just a bipolar group to face (they could beat the best on any given night).

The teams in the west are strong all the way you down: Lakers and Nuggets, enough said; the Jazz keep finding ways to win like in last nights 20+ point overcoming deficit against the Blazers (Boozer is a beast); the Mavs are always in the picture; the Suns with their MVP Nash; the Spurs with Duncan and Parker; and of course the Blazers who simply cannot win once they have a large lead--it's been their problem all year.

All sixteen teams are intimidating and have something better than another squad. On any given night, it seems that the "underdog" could win the game.

Now on to my predictions for this year's finals. Although the Cavs are going through a 3 game slide right now--I think they will end up in the finals. I think that the Bobcats will end up in the seventh seed and beat the Magic. The Celtics will beat Bulls (in seven games)--however I am hesitant because of last years Bull outbreak. And the Hawks will beat the Raptors. I think the Bobcats will beat the Celtics and go to the conf. finals with the Cavs--in which the Cavs will win.

I think the Nuggets will verse the Jazz in the second round, while the Lakers verse the Thunder. I think the Nuggets will advance against the Lakers--and I believe the Nuggets are going to get in the finals. The Cavs will beat the Nuggets in six games.

We'll see how accurate my predictions are in a couple of months, but at this point I think it's important to recognize the Thunder. The new franchise substituted the Supersonics of Seattle into Oklahoma City. Durant has been the pillar and pure dominant force of the team. They are on a nine game winnings streak and just find ways to win a game. They might not be the most stable all-around team--but in a couple of years... I think they will be on top of the Western Conference every year.