Western Conference
1: Los Angeles Lakers
2: Los Angeles Clippers
3: Denver Nuggets
4: Houston Rockets
5: Utah Jazz
6: Oklahoma City Thunder
7: Dallas Mavericks
8: Portland Trail Blazers
1st Round:
Lakers def. Trail Blazers
Clippers def. Mavericks
Thunder def. Nuggets
Rockets def. Jazz
2nd Round:
Lakers def. Thunder
Clippers def. Rockets
Western Confrence Finals
Clippers def. Lakers
Eastern Confrence:
1: Milwaukee Bucks
2: Toronto Raptors
3: Boston Celtics
4: Miami Heat
5: Philadelphia 76ers
6: Indiana Pacers
7: Orlando Magic
8: Brooklyn Nets
1st Round:
Bucks def. Nets
Raptors def. Magic
Celtics def. Packers
76ers def. Heat
2nd Round:
Bucks def. 76ers
Celtics def. Raptors
Eastern Conference Finals:
Bucks def. Celtics
NBA Finals:
Clippers def. Bucks
NBA Awards:
MVP: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Rookie of the Year: Ja Morant
Coach of the Year: Nick Nurse
Sixth Man of the Year: Lou Williams
Most Improved Player: Brandon Ingram
Defensive Player of the Year: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Season/Playoffs Overview:
In my mind, the only teams that can realistically win the NBA Finals are the Lakers, Clippers, and Bucks. I chose the Clippers to win the NBA Finals because they have depth. Not only do they have two superstars with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, but their bench is also better than some NBA starting lineups. With Lou Williams and Montrezl Harrell, who are favorites to win the Sixth Man of the Year award, the Clippers’ bench is unstoppable. The Lakers and Bucks have Anthony Davis, LeBron James, and Giannis Antetokounmpo, so there’s no doubt they have superstars. What they don’t have is a good second lineup that can support the team when their superstars are on the bench. Even though the Lakers have signed veterans such as J.R. Smith, Dion Waiters, and JaVale McGee, they are just role players, and cannot maintain a lead for more than a few minutes.