2008-09 NBA PREDICTIONS

So I'm a tad late with the Celtics beginning the defense of their championship just moments ago. But here we go!

Eastern Conference:

Atlantic- #1 Boston (O 55.5), #6 Toronto (U 47.5), #7 Philadelphia (U 48.5), New York (O 32.5), New Jersey (O 27.5)

The Celtics should easily win the Atlantic once again. I think James Posey was a big loss, but that will affect them in April/May. The Sixers seem to be a very popular sleeper after their strong second half and playoff showing last year. I don't think they get above the 48.5 predicted for them. The Raptors and Sixers will battle it out for second and perhaps two of the bottom playoff spots. The Knicks uptempo play will keep them in games and will annoy their opponents. That should get them to 33-38 wins. The Nets are clearly rebuilding, but they should get to 28 wins.

Central- #3 Cleveland (O 47.5), #4 Detroit (U 50.5), #5 Chicago (O 40.5), #8 Milwaukee (O 30.5), Indiana (U 34.5)

It is hard to pick against the Pistons, who always win this division, but they have a new coach and they make take awhile to click before taking off. Lebron should get the Cavs over the top this year and be in line to take on the Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals. I expect the Bulls to bounce back after a dreadful year. The Bucks are a heavy sleeper of mine with an underrated starting five. If the rookie, Joe Alexander, brings some of his offense to the NBA, this team will easily clear 30.5 wins. Scott Skiles is a very good coach as well. The Pacers are the unfortunate cellar dweller in the East's deepest division.

Southeast- #2 Orlando (O 47.5), Washington (O 37.5), Atlanta (U 37.5), Miami (U 37.5), Charlotte (U 35.5)

After the Magic, this is a terrible division. I expect Orlando to have a high win total because of the division. If Gilbert Arenas stays healthy, they have a good shot at making it back to the playoffs. I think the Hawks have hit their ceiling for now. The Heat could be much better should Dwyane Wade stay healthy. I predict Michael Beasley will win the Rookie of the Year. However, I don't see this team under a new coach to go much north of 35 wins. The Bobcats are led by Larry Brown, but I would expect them to be one of the NBA's worst teams once again.

Western Conference:

Northwest- #3 Utah (O 51.5), #5 Portland (O 45.5), Denver (O 41.5), Minnesota (U 32.5), Oklahoma City (U 25.5)

The Jazz are one of the most underrated teams in the league AGAIN! Deron Williams is perhaps the most undervalued player in the game. Jerry Sloan is a tremendous coach, and I can see this team making a deep run in the West. The Trail Blazers will finally show off Greg Oden, and hope to build upon last year's success. I'm not sure if they are ready for a big time number of wins yet, but I expect them to contend for the postseason. The Nuggets have dropped in people's eyes. They will eclipse that 41.5 number though. The Timberwolves are much improved, but are still quite a bit away from being a playoff contender. The Sonics, I mean Thunder, should have a rough year one in Oklahoma City. By the way, do their colors remind you of the Hornets or what?

Southwest- #2 New Orleans (O 51.5), #4 Houston (U 53.5), #6 San Antonio (U 48.5), #7 Dallas (O 46.5), Memphis (O 23.5)

The Hornets are my team to beat. The had a remarkable season last year and I expect them to continue to get better. Chris Paul is my pick to win the MVP. They added a great intangible in James Posey who brings wins wherever he goes. The Rockets are a popular pick by many people. I can see them topping the 53.5 number, but 51-53 wins seems like the number they'll get to me. I'm looking to thread the needle with my Spurs and Mavericks picks. I think the Spurs, without Ginobili for awhile, will drop below 50 wins for the first time in awhile, and I think the Mavs will barely clear the 46.5 number. I'm going to put the Spurs ahead of the Mavs, but not by much. The Grizzlies once again are unfortunate for being in the Southwest division.

Pacific- #1 LA Lakers (O 55.5), #8 Phoenix (U 46.5), Golden State (U 37.5), LA Clippers (U 33.5), Sacramento (U 27.5)

If the Lakers don't coast to a Pacific division title, then there should be an investigation. They will be healthy which they weren't when they ran through the West last Spring. I expect them to contend with the Celtics for the best record in the NBA. The Suns have a new coach who wants to install a defensive game over the run and gun offense Mike D'Antoni left behind. I doubt that works with the likes of an aging Shaq and several players who aren't used to playing defense. The Warriors window was open briefly two years ago, but I see them falling back into an NBA doormat. The rest of this division is dreadful. The Clippers have a couple proven NBA players, but aren't deep at all, and the Kings are perhaps the toughest team to name in the NBA.

Eastern Conference Playoffs:
Quarters:
#1 Bos over #8 Mil (4-1)
#2 Orl over #7 Phi (4-3)
#3 Cle over #6 Tor (4-2)
#5 Chi over #4 Det (4-3)
Semis:
Bos over Chi (4-1)
Cle over Orl (4-2)
Final:
Cle over Bos (4-2)

Western Conference Playoffs:
Quarters:
#1 LA over #8 Pho (4-0)
#2 NO over #7 Dal (4-1)
#3 Utah over #6 SA (4-3)
#4 Hou over #5 Por (4-2)
Semis:
Hou over LA (4-2)
NO over Utah (4-3)
Final:
NO over Hou (4-2)

THE NBA FINALS: New Orleans over Cleveland (4-1)

Rookie of the Year: Michael Beasley
Defensive Player of the Year: Kevin Garnett
Sixth Man: Kirk Hinrich
Coach of the Year: Nate McMillan
MVP: Chris Paul

Pat Morgan