2017-2018 NBA Season Predictions

The 2017-2018 NBA season has officially tipped off and that means it’s time for the yearly predictions from yours truly. The season tipped off in a major way as the Cleveland Cavaliers (reigning Eastern Conference champs) defeated the Boston Celtics 102-99 before a sold out crowd. The game also featured the additions of Derrick Rose, Dwyane Wade, and Jae Crowder in Cleveland, the return of Kyrie Irving to Cleveland in a Celtics uniform, and the addition of former Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward, who signed a four-year, $128 million free agent contract to come to Boston in the summer. The game was overshadowed in the first five minutes after Hayward took a nasty fall and wound up breaking his ankle on the court in one of the more gruesome injuries we’ve seen as you could see players on the bench turning away and looks of disgust on their faces. Hayward is assuredly done for the season and this hurts Boston’s chances big time in the East. What was supposed to be a huge exciting memorable night was brought down within five minutes. What a shame.

In the nightcap the new look Houston Rockets came into Oakland, California and dethroned the defending champion Golden State Warriors, 122-121, after what looked like a Kevin Durant buzzer beater was called off after video review showed the ball was still in KD’s hands when the buzzer went off. A heartbreaking loss for Golden State but a huge statement win for Houston. This was most notably Chris Paul’s debut with the Rockets, who had a tough time in his debut but got bailed out by the great games by superstar teammate James Harden and role players Eric Gordon, Ryan Anderson, and P.J. Tucker. Houston looks legit yet again this season and are poised to finally take over the West from Golden State.

I know I have an unfair advantage with these picks since I already know about that Gordon Hayward injury but this isn’t a full-time gig for me and I couldn’t get my picks out in time. The full slate of predictions looks like this though…

Atlantic Division:
1.Boston Celtics
2.Toronto Raptors*
3.Philadelphia 76ers*
4.New York Knicks
5.Brooklyn Nets

Central Division:
1.Cleveland Cavaliers
2.Milwaukee Bucks*
3.Indiana Pacers
4.Detroit Pistons
5.Chicago Bulls

Southeast Division:
1.Washington Wizards
2.Atlanta Hawks*
3.Miami Heat*
4.Charlotte Hornets
5.Orlando Magic

Northwest Division:
1.Oklahoma City Thunder
2.Minnesota Timberwolves*
3.Portland Trailblazers*
4.Denver Nuggets*
5.Utah Jazz

Southwest Division:
1.Houston Rockets
2.San Antonio Spurs*
3.New Orleans Pelicans*
4.Dallas Mavericks
5.Memphis Grizzlies

Pacific Division:
1.Golden State Warriors
2.Los Angeles Lakers
3.Los Angeles Clippers
4.Phoenix Suns
5.Sacramento Kings

* indicates playoff team who didn’t win their division

East Playoff Seeds:
1.Cleveland Cavaliers
2.Washington Wizards
3.Boston Celtics
4.Milwaukee Bucks
5.Toronto Raptors
6.Atlanta Hawks
7.Philadelphia 76ers
8.Miami Heat

West Playoff Seeds:
1.Golden State Warriors
2.Oklahoma City Thunder
3.Houston Rockets
4.Minnesota Timberwolves
5.San Antonio Spurs
6.Portland Trailblazers
7.New Orleans Pelicans
8.Denver Nuggets

Eastern Conference Finals:
#1 Cleveland Cavaliers over #2 Washington Wizards in 6 games

Western Conference Finals:
#1 Golden State Warriors over #2 Oklahoma City Thunder in 7 games

2018 NBA Finals:
Golden State Warriors over Cleveland Cavaliers in 6 games

NBA MVP: Giannis Antetokounmpo, F, Milwaukee Bucks
NBA Defensive POY: Rudy Robert, C, Utah Jazz
NBA Rookie of the Year: Jayson Tatum, F, Boston Celtics
NBA Most Improved Player: Andrew Wiggins, SF, Minnesota Timberwolves
NBA Coach Of The Year: Tom Thibodeau, Minnesota Timberwolves
NBA 6th Man Of The Year: Jamal Crawford, SG, Minnesota Timberwolves
NBA Most Improved Team: Minnesota Timberwolves
NBA Most Disappointing Team: Los Angeles Clippers

East Sleeper Team To Make Finals: Milwaukee Bucks
West Sleeper Team To Make Finals: Minnesota Timberwolves (I don’t see any team outside my West top five making any serious noise)

The top five worst records will belong to (in no order):
Chicago Bulls
Sacramento Kings
Brooklyn Nets
Phoenix Suns
New York Knicks

If you have any comments or questions, don’t hesitate to leave a comment and engage in conversation.