Keep in mind that this article was written on June 22, about a month before the restart of the 2019-2020 season.
As the NBA season plans to return on July 30th, here are my predictions on how it will play out.
First, the standings starting with the Eastern Conference.
- Milwaukee Bucks
- Toronto Raptors
- Miami Heat
- Boston Celtics
- Indiana Pacers
- Brooklyn Nets
- Philadelphia 76ers
- Orlando Magic
- Washington Wizards
The only changes that I have here are that the Heat and Celtics switch places and the Nets and Sixers switch places.
If you want a sleeper team to root for in the playoffs, it has to be the Heat. Jimmy Butler was playing well until the season was suspended, averaging 20.2 points per game, 6.6 rebounds per game, 6.2 assists per game and 45.4% from the field. In addition, they have many underrated players including Tyler Herro, Bam Adebayo, Duncan Robinson, even Derrick Jones Jr. Keep your eye out for the Heat come playoff time.
Now, over to the Western Conference.
- LA Lakers
- LA Clippers
- Denver Nuggets
- Dallas Mavericks
- Houston Rockets
- Utah Jazz
- Oklahoma City Thunder
- Memphis Grizzlies
- New Orleans Pelicans
- Portland Trail Blazers
- Sacramento Kings
- San Antonio Spurs
- Phoenix Suns
If you were going to make a prediction for the West standings, you have a myriad of options outside of the top 2. Right now, seeds 3-7 are separated by 3.5 games. That’s insane!
I went with the Mavs at 4 because of five words, Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis. They are going to turn up come playoff time.
I chose the Grizzlies at 8 because they are going to be in a dogfight with the Pelicans, but they barely squeak past them. Ja Morant is going to go off in the final game and pretty much secure his spot as Rookie of the Year.
Speaking of grinding for the postseason, here’s my prediction for each first round matchup.
First, the East.
Milwaukee Bucks vs Orlando Magic: MIL wins 4-0
Nothing to really say here, just the fact that Giannis absolutely shreds the Magic into pieces.
Toronto Raptors vs Philadelphia 76ers: TOR wins 4-2
This matchup will probably be one of the most hyped up matchups because it is a rematch of last year’s conference semifinals, where Kawhi Leonard hit the game-winning buzzer beater heard around the world in Game 7 to barely get past the Sixers. This year, the Sixers come into this series with revenge on their minds and win the first two games, but the Raptors take care of business and win the next four to move on to the next round.
Miami Heat vs Brooklyn Nets: MIA wins 4-1
Like I said before, the MIami Heat have such a sneaky good team with really sneaky good players. The Nets gave them a run for their money, but the Heat are just too good to get past them.
Boston Celtics vs Indiana Pacers: BOS wins 4-0
Kemba Walker and Jayson Tatum are going to come out of the gates ready and go ham on the Pacers because the Pacers aren’t enough to contain a strong Celtics squad.
Now, over to the West.
LA Lakers vs Memphis Grizzlies: LAL wins 4-1
In one game, Ja is going to go off and single-handedly beat the mighty Lakers. However, the “Showtime Part II” Lakers cruise past the Grizzlies to the second round.
LA Clippers vs OKC Thunder: LAC wins 4-0
The Clippers have such a deep team filled with stars compared to the Thunder having Chris Paul, Shai-Gilgeous Alexander and Steven Adams as their key guys. I think this is what separates the two and the Clippers will move on.
Denver Nuggets vs Utah Jazz: DEN wins 4-2
Like the Heat, the Jazz have a sneaky good team led by Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert. They will manage to win a couple games in the series to make the Nuggets a little uncomfortable, but the Nuggets will be able to get past the Jazz courtesy of Jamal Murray and the buff version of Nikola Jokic.
Dallas Mavericks vs Houston Rockets: DAL wins 4-2
If this actually happens, I’ll definitely be looking forward to the battle of two of the top three duos in the league, in my opinion. The duo of Westbrook and Harden will give the duo of Luka Doncic and The Unicorn a run for their money, but the Mavs will maneuver past them with somewhat ease.
Now, the Eastern Conference Semifinals
Milwaukee Bucks vs Boston Celtics: MIL wins 4-2
This another hyped up matchup that took place in the 2019 Conference Semifinals. Kemba, Tatum and Gordon Hayward will come through in a couple of games in the series, but then again, the Bucks have Giannis Antetokounmpo. There’s nothing you can do to possibly stop him except for the 2019 Raptors.
Toronto Raptors vs Miami Heat: MIA wins 4-3
News flash: The Heat take down the DEFENDING CHAMPS in 7! I know, you must be like, bro, WHY ARE THE HEAT THIS GOOD! Hear me out, they turned up the heat (get it?) and their key players come up huge in the clutch to beat Pascal Siakam, Kyle Lowry and that great Raptors squad.
Next, the Western Conference Semifinals
LA Lakers vs Dallas Mavericks: LAL wins 4-3
This is absolutely in the discussion of the most hyped up matchup in this playoffs so far. You have the “Showtime Part II” Lakers led by LeBron and Anthony Davis and you have the sly Mavs led by Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis. You basically have a really exciting main event heavyweight boxing match to watch, and it sure lived up to that. The series went back and forth, just like knockout blows. However, the mighty Lakers came out on top and advance to the Conference Finals awaiting either the Clippers or the Nuggets.
LA Clippers vs Denver Nuggets: LAC wins 4-2
Murray and Jokic play well, but the insane depth of the Clippers, led by Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, are just too much as they stomp all over the Nuggets.
Who will punch their ticket to the 2020 NBA Finals? Will it be the Bucks? Will it be the miraculous Heat? Will it be the mighty Lakers or the rising Clippers? Let’s find out. First, the East.
Milwaukee Bucks vs Miami Heat: MIL wins 4-1
Unfortunately, the Cinderella story of the Miami Heat ends here, as Giannis does his damage. Additionally, guys like Khris Middleton and Eric Bledsoe step up to the plate. Kyle Korver, ironically, hits the game-winning buzzer beater 3-pointer to send the Bucks to the Finals.
Now, the second most hyped up series in my opinion, the battle of LA. Who will get the bragging rights in LA and who will secure a date with the Bucks?
LA Lakers vs LA Clippers: LAL wins 4-3
Just like the Mavs matchup, this one lived up to its hype. Back and forth they went as the series dragged on. At the end, the Lakers just narrowly got past the Clippers to guarantee a spot in the finals against the Bucks.
22 teams entered Orlando looking to make that last push to insure a place in the playoffs. Only 2 teams are left, the Milwaukee Bucks and the Los Angeles Lakers. Let’s find out who wins this matchup of the titans.
Milwaukee Bucks vs LA Lakers: LAL wins 4-3
Game 7 was chaotic. It was as if each team was on either side of the seesaw, swinging from side to side. The game was tied 120-120 with one second left. The Lakers call a timeout. What will Frank Vogel draw up? The players get ready for the inbounds pass. The Bucks were thinking that LeBron was going to get the ball, so a double-team immediately swarmed him. However, Anthony Davis suddenly cuts to the basket and Avery Bradley throws him a lob pass. Davis dunks it as the buzzer sounds. The Los Angeles Lakers are your 2020 NBA Champions!
Overall, this season will be a weird one, but it will be remembered years down the line.
Sources: basketball-reference.com, cbssports.com, nba.com