The 2015-16 NBA season was full of exciting, historic, and record breaking moments. The Warriors ended the season with a 73-9 record, and four eastern conference teams (Miami Heat, Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, and Charlotte Hornets) all ended with a 48-34 record in a battle at the end of the season. But this offseason brought a lot of roster changes, as always, and the NBA has changed. After predicting every game of the upcoming season this is our prediction for the 2016-17 NBA season.
Eastern Conference
1. Cleveland Cavaliers 59-23
2. Toronto Raptors 53-29
3. Indiana Pacers 51-31
4. Boston Celtics 50-32
5. Atlanta Hawks 45-37
6. Detroit Pistons 44-38
7. Chicago Bulls 43-39
8. Charlotte Hornets 42-40
Did Not Make NBA Playoffs
Washington Wizards 40-42
New York Knicks 39-43
Miami Heat 36-46
Orlando Magic 35-47
Milwaukee Bucks 34-48
Brooklyn Nets 22-60
Philadelphia 76ers 16-66
Western Conference
1. Golden State Warriors 71-11
2. San Antonio Spurs 65-17
3. L.A. Clippers 54-28
4. Portland TrailBlazers 46-36
5. Oklahoma City Thunder 45-37
6. Memphis Grizzlies 45-37
7. Dallas Mavericks 44-38
8. Houston Rockets 42-40
Did Not Make NBA Playoffs
Utah Jazz 38-44
Minnesota Timberwolves 38-44
Denver Nuggets 31-51
Sacramento Kings 30-52
New Orleans Pelicans 30-52
Phoenix Suns 22-60
L.A. Lakers 20-62
If these predictions are correct it would make for a very interesting playoffs. In the western conference there would be several classic first round series. The Los Angeles Clippers would face the Memphis Grizzlies and the San Antonio Spurs would play their Texas rivals the Dallas Mavericks. We would also see a compelling matchup between the Portland TrailBlazers and Oklahoma City Thunder. Russell Westbrook versus Damian Lillard would be an extremely entertaining and fierce battle that any NBA fan would enjoy. In the eastern conference we would have a much better playoffs than the past several years. The top four seeds would easily be the favorites but the second round series would be great with a lot of intensity.
Whether these predictions are exactly right or completely wrong, we are assured one thing. This will be an incredible NBA season.
