The Golden State Warriors have won four championships in the last eight years. They have a strong chance of winning again because their core squad is returning.
That being said, there are also plenty of other storylines now that the season has begun and everything has mostly died down. After all of their turmoil, can the Boston Celtics retain their position as the best team in the East? After making a sensational trade to acquire Donovan Mitchell, the Cleveland Cavaliers may now be in the process of challenging that. West of the country, the Los Angeles Lakers are trying to get back on track after some serious struggles last year.
We have predicted four teams to win the NBA title, five from the East, and four from the West to advance to the conference finals, all of which are examples of how unpredictable the NBA is this season.
Could the NBA see a different title holder for the fifth straight year? Who or what can stop Golden State? Will the Los Angeles Clippers win their first championship as a franchise?
Below, we have included our NBA playoff forecasts for the 2022–23 season.
That being said, there are also plenty of other storylines now that the season has begun and everything has mostly died down. After all of their turmoil, can the Boston Celtics retain their position as the best team in the East? After making a sensational trade to acquire Donovan Mitchell, the Cleveland Cavaliers may now be in the process of challenging that. West of the country, the Los Angeles Lakers are trying to get back on track after some serious struggles last year.
We have predicted four teams to win the NBA title, five from the East, and four from the West to advance to the conference finals, all of which are examples of how unpredictable the NBA is this season.
Could the NBA see a different title holder for the fifth straight year? Who or what can stop Golden State? Will the Los Angeles Clippers win their first championship as a franchise?
Below, we have included our NBA playoff forecasts for the 2022–23 season.
Eastern Conference NBA Playoff Predictions
1. Milwaukee Bucks (59-23)
2. Boston Celtics (56-26)
3. Miami Heat (54-28)
4. Cleveland Cavaliers (51-31)
5. Brooklyn Nets (50-32)
6. Philadelphia 76ers (48-34)
7. Atlanta Hawks (44-38)
8. Chicago Bulls (42-40)
The Celtics' additions of Malcolm Brogdon and Danilo Gallinari following their exit from the Eastern Conference last season appear to have prepared them for a return to the region. Sadly, Gallinari tore his ACL over the summer and will miss the 2022–23 campaign. Ime Udoka, the head coach, is currently out for the 2022–2023 campaign as well. How Boston will be affected by this is still unknown. During the preseason, at any rate, it didn't seem to affect the team.
Milwaukee was significantly hurt by Khris Middleton's absence in the 2022 NBA Playoffs. We're talking about a player who can make three-and-D and score 20 points with ease.
The Bucks had to rely on Jrue Holiday to take over being Giannis Antetokounmpo's backup as their second-leading scorer with Middleton sidelined. That is not the best situation. Middleton has since undergone wrist surgery and will be out for at least the opening few weeks of the season.
2. Boston Celtics (56-26)
3. Miami Heat (54-28)
4. Cleveland Cavaliers (51-31)
5. Brooklyn Nets (50-32)
6. Philadelphia 76ers (48-34)
7. Atlanta Hawks (44-38)
8. Chicago Bulls (42-40)
The Celtics' additions of Malcolm Brogdon and Danilo Gallinari following their exit from the Eastern Conference last season appear to have prepared them for a return to the region. Sadly, Gallinari tore his ACL over the summer and will miss the 2022–23 campaign. Ime Udoka, the head coach, is currently out for the 2022–2023 campaign as well. How Boston will be affected by this is still unknown. During the preseason, at any rate, it didn't seem to affect the team.
Milwaukee was significantly hurt by Khris Middleton's absence in the 2022 NBA Playoffs. We're talking about a player who can make three-and-D and score 20 points with ease.
The Bucks had to rely on Jrue Holiday to take over being Giannis Antetokounmpo's backup as their second-leading scorer with Middleton sidelined. That is not the best situation. Middleton has since undergone wrist surgery and will be out for at least the opening few weeks of the season.
For the Heat, the defending conference runners-up, the offseason was a chance to make a major impression. This included being connected to Donovan Mitchell and Kevin Durant in trade discussions before the latter was sent to Cleveland and the former was taken off the market. Due to the absence of a clear no. 2 option to complement the legendary Jimmy Butler, Miami is currently ranked third in the east.
In the conference finals matchup against Boston, Bam Adebayo averaged 15 points per game and finished second on Miami's scoring list, trailing only Jimmy Butler. Ouch! Following the signing of a lucrative agreement before the season, Tyler Herro could develop into that no. 2 option. He will be the key in this situation.
The stunning trade for star guard Donovan Mitchell transformed the Cavaliers into one of the NBA's most skilled teams overall. With Evan Mobley, the current NBA Rookie of the Year runner-up, Cleveland now boasts three All-Stars who are all under the age of 25. That is simply ridiculous.
De'Anthony Melton, P.J. Tucker, and Danuel House were all acquired by Philadelphia, and even if that hadn't happened, the Sixers were still fairly fantastic. Along with James Harden and Joel Embiid, we anticipated 76ers front office chief Daryl Morey to be proactive in adding a third star, especially after Harden suffered a significant pay cut to stay in the team. In their first full season as teammates, Embiid and Harden's ability to collaborate will be crucial.
Speaking of great, Atlanta finally took the necessary action to add another star to Trae Young. First-time All-Star Dejounte Murray averaged 21.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 9.2 assists per game with the Spurs in the previous campaign. Murray adds another dynamic to the Hawks' lineup after a disappointing first-round exit in the 2022 NBA Playoffs, even though it was an expensive gamble.
The Brooklyn Nets currently have a lot going on. Before withdrawing his request, Kevin Durant had made a trade request. Widespread trade speculations surrounded Kyrie Irving as well, but he is expected to make a comeback. Ben Simmons, meanwhile, underwent back surgery, returned for preseason activity, and appears fully recovered.
In the conference finals matchup against Boston, Bam Adebayo averaged 15 points per game and finished second on Miami's scoring list, trailing only Jimmy Butler. Ouch! Following the signing of a lucrative agreement before the season, Tyler Herro could develop into that no. 2 option. He will be the key in this situation.
The stunning trade for star guard Donovan Mitchell transformed the Cavaliers into one of the NBA's most skilled teams overall. With Evan Mobley, the current NBA Rookie of the Year runner-up, Cleveland now boasts three All-Stars who are all under the age of 25. That is simply ridiculous.
De'Anthony Melton, P.J. Tucker, and Danuel House were all acquired by Philadelphia, and even if that hadn't happened, the Sixers were still fairly fantastic. Along with James Harden and Joel Embiid, we anticipated 76ers front office chief Daryl Morey to be proactive in adding a third star, especially after Harden suffered a significant pay cut to stay in the team. In their first full season as teammates, Embiid and Harden's ability to collaborate will be crucial.
Speaking of great, Atlanta finally took the necessary action to add another star to Trae Young. First-time All-Star Dejounte Murray averaged 21.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 9.2 assists per game with the Spurs in the previous campaign. Murray adds another dynamic to the Hawks' lineup after a disappointing first-round exit in the 2022 NBA Playoffs, even though it was an expensive gamble.
The Brooklyn Nets currently have a lot going on. Before withdrawing his request, Kevin Durant had made a trade request. Widespread trade speculations surrounded Kyrie Irving as well, but he is expected to make a comeback. Ben Simmons, meanwhile, underwent back surgery, returned for preseason activity, and appears fully recovered.
Western Conference NBA Playoff Predictions
The departures of Otto Porter Jr. and Gary Payton II from the title team of the previous season could be detrimental to Golden State. Moses Moody and Jonathan Kuminga appear to be taking up the slack for the team. Both players showed promise as rookies and have the potential to advance in 2022–2023. JaMychal Green and Donte DiVincenzo's arrivals will be beneficial in terms of depth. However, the latest Draymond Green controversy raises concerns about this team's mindset going into this campaign.
Let's be clear here, though. These Warriors will be the overwhelming favorites to win a second consecutive championship as long as Stephen Curry performs at his best, Andrew Wiggins keeps getting better, and Klay Thompson finds his rhythm.
In the Western Conference, the space behind Golden State is quite intriguing. The Denver Nuggets, who have Michael Porter Jr. and Jamal Murray fully recovered from their injuries, are our choice for the no. 2 club. The Nuggets are a legitimate title contender when they include them together with Nikola Jokic, the two-time defending NBA MVP, and our most recent NBA Playoff predictions reflect that.
Let's be clear here, though. These Warriors will be the overwhelming favorites to win a second consecutive championship as long as Stephen Curry performs at his best, Andrew Wiggins keeps getting better, and Klay Thompson finds his rhythm.
In the Western Conference, the space behind Golden State is quite intriguing. The Denver Nuggets, who have Michael Porter Jr. and Jamal Murray fully recovered from their injuries, are our choice for the no. 2 club. The Nuggets are a legitimate title contender when they include them together with Nikola Jokic, the two-time defending NBA MVP, and our most recent NBA Playoff predictions reflect that.
The rest of the Western Conference is incredibly difficult to estimate in our most recent NBA playoff predictions. In the Pacific Division, the Clippers will challenge Golden State if both Paul George and Kawhi Leonard are healthy. It would be foolish to rely on John Wall to stay healthy and develop the point guard position.
We're also interested in watching how the Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert chemistry will play out in Minnesota after the Wolves' unexpected 46-win campaign last year. They might be ruling. Another way to describe it is by putting a square peg into a round hole. With Towns, Gobert, Anthony Edwards, and D'Angelo Russell, Minnesota boasts a core four that is very skilled.
Dallas's trade of Jalen Brunson will severely harm Luka Doncic. The Mavericks only made a run to the conference championships once they discovered a reliable second scorer out on the perimeter. Is Christian Wood going to cover the shortfall? We'll have to wait and see.
We're also interested in watching how the Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert chemistry will play out in Minnesota after the Wolves' unexpected 46-win campaign last year. They might be ruling. Another way to describe it is by putting a square peg into a round hole. With Towns, Gobert, Anthony Edwards, and D'Angelo Russell, Minnesota boasts a core four that is very skilled.
Dallas's trade of Jalen Brunson will severely harm Luka Doncic. The Mavericks only made a run to the conference championships once they discovered a reliable second scorer out on the perimeter. Is Christian Wood going to cover the shortfall? We'll have to wait and see.
We Have Our Final Say
East finalists: Milwaukee-Boston
West finalists: Golden State-Los Angeles Clippers
NBA Finals: Golden State-Milwaukee
West finalists: Golden State-Los Angeles Clippers
NBA Finals: Golden State-Milwaukee
Champion: Golden State
MVP: Joel Embiid, Philadelphia
Rookie of the Year: Bennedict Mathurin, Indiana
Coach of the Year: Ty Lue, Los Angeles Clippers
Most Improved Player: Zion Williamson, New Orleans
Defensive Player of the Year: Bam Adebayo, Miami
Sixth Man of the Year: Jordan Poole, Golden State
MVP: Joel Embiid, Philadelphia
Rookie of the Year: Bennedict Mathurin, Indiana
Coach of the Year: Ty Lue, Los Angeles Clippers
Most Improved Player: Zion Williamson, New Orleans
Defensive Player of the Year: Bam Adebayo, Miami
Sixth Man of the Year: Jordan Poole, Golden State