Southwest Division

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1. Houston Rockets

What they will accomplish in the regular season will be impressive, but can they duplicate that in the playoffs?

2. San Antonio Spurs

This is going to be a transition year for them, but we’ve said that before and they’ve surprised us.

3. Dallas Mavericks

It’s an exciting time in Dallas. Their future looks really good with Doncic and now Porzingis in the fold.

4. New Orleans Pelicans

They lucked out with getting Zion and have a tremendous foundation to build from with the Anthony Davis trade.

5. Memphis Grizzlies

The rebuild is in full swing and the pieces they’ve accumulated could pan out quicker than previous thought. Continue reading

2019 NBA Playoffs Preview

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Eastern Conference

1. Milwaukee Bucks vs. 8. Detroit Pistons

Players to Watch: G Eric Bledsoe and F Blake Griffin

Who Wins: Bucks in 5 games

2. Toronto Raptors vs. 7. Orlando Magic

Players to Watch: F Kawhi Leonard and C Nikola Vucevic

Who Wins: Raptors in 5 games

3. Philadelphia 76ers vs. 6. Brooklyn Nets

Players to Watch: C Joel Embiid and G D’Angelo Russell

Who Wins: 76ers in 6 games

4. Boston Celtics vs. 5. Indiana Pacers

Players to Watch: G Kyrie Irving and F Myles Turner

Who Wins: Celtics in 6 games

Western Conference

1. Golden State Warriors vs. 8. Los Angeles Clippers

Players to Watch: F Kevin Durant and F Danilo Gallinari

Who Wins: Warriors in 5 games

2. Denver Nuggets vs. 7. San Antonio Spurs

Players to Watch: C Nikola Jokic and F LaMarcus Aldridge

Who Wins: Nuggets in 6 games

3. Portland Trail Blazers vs. 6. Oklahoma City Thunder

Players to Watch: G Damian Lillard and F Paul George

Who Wins: Trail Blazers in 7 games

4. Houston Rockets vs. 5. Utah Jazz

Players to Watch: G Chris Paul and G Donovan Mitchell

Who Wins: Rockets in 6 games

NBA Finals and Award Projections

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* – indicates playoffs

MVP – Giannis Antetokounmpo – Bucks

Rookie – Luka Doncic – Mavericks

Coach – Mike Budenholzer – Bucks

Defensive Player – Kawhi Leonard – Raptors

Most Improved – Kawhi Leonard – Raptors

Sixth Man – Kyle Kuzma – Lakers

Executive – Magic Johnson – Lakers Continue reading

Southwest Division

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1. Houston Rockets

They were one win away from the Finals last year. They won’t change what worked for them last year.

2. San Antonio Spurs

Gone is Kawhi Leonard and replacing him is a perennial scorer in DeMar DeRozan who changes the focus of this team.

3. New Orleans Pelicans

Even without DeMarcus Cousins this team is capable of making a surprising run in the competitive Western Conference.

4. Memphis Grizzlies

Health is the biggest factor for them. Mainly with their point guard Mike Conley.

5. Dallas Mavericks

Getting Luka Doncic was exactly what this franchise needed. Continue reading

2018 NBA Playoffs Preview

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Eastern Conference

1. Toronto Raptors vs. 8. Washington Wizards

Players to Watch: G DeMar DeRozan and G Bradley Beal

Who Wins: Raptors in 6 games

2. Boston Celtics vs. 7. Milwaukee Bucks

Players to Watch: F Jayson Tatum and F Giannis Antetokounmpo

Who Wins: Celtics in 7 games

3. Philadelphia 76ers vs. 6. Miami Heat

Players to Watch: F Ben Simmons and C Hassan Whiteside

Who Wins: 76ers in 6 games

4. Cleveland Cavaliers vs. 5. Indiana Pacers

Players to Watch: F Kevin Love and G Victor Oladipo

Who Wins: Cavaliers in 7 games

Western Conference

1. Houston Rockets vs. 8. Minnesota Timberwolves

Players to Watch: G Chris Paul and C Karl-Anthony Towns

Who Wins: Rockets in 6 games

2. Golden State Warriors vs. 7. San Antonio Spurs

Players to Watch: F Kevin Durant and G Dejounte Murray

Who Wins: Warriors in 5 games

3. Portland Trail Blazers vs. 6. New Orleans Pelicans

Players to Watch: C Jusuf Nurkic and G Rajon Rondo

Who Wins: Trail Blazers in 6 games

4. Oklahoma City Thunder vs. 5. Utah Jazz

Players to Watch: G Russell Westbrook and G Donovan Mitchell

Who Wins: Thunder in 6 games