Using a very complex, Steven Hawking-like formula of ranking the top ten players from each team and a couple other categories, my predictions consist of scores based off of those rankings. Note: Teams get bonuses for having one of the top 30 ranked players in the NBA. I find this exercise fun, because it can, at times, be quite unpredictable.
Picking the playoff results is tough, as well. This is the most wide open the NBA has been in quite a while. This should be a fantastic season!
Eastern Conference
1. Milwaukee Bucks – 2027.64
2. Philadelphia 76ers – 1788
3. Boston Celtics – 1632
4. Brooklyn Nets – 1567.09
5. Indiana Pacers – 1537.64
6. Detroit Pistons – 1331.27
7. Miami Heat – 1287.81
8. Toronto Raptors – 1287.18
9. Chicago Bulls – 1121
10. Orlando Magic- 1106.36
11. New York Knicks – 1064.19
12. Atlanta Hawks – 736.82
13. Washington Wizards – 711.27
14. Cleveland Cavaliers – 679.36
15. Charlotte Hornets – 364
Atlantic Division
1. Philadelphia 76ers
2. Boston Celtics
3. Brooklyn Nets
4. Toronto Raptors
5. New York Knicks
Southeast Division
1. Miami Heat
2. Orlando Magic
3. Atlanta Hawks
4. Washington Wizards
5. Charlotte Hornets
Central Division
1. Milwaukee Bucks
2. Indiana Pacers
3. Detroit Pistons
4. Chicago Bulls
5. Cleveland Cavaliers
Western Conference
1. Los Angeles Clippers – 2127.91
2. Utah Jazz – 2022.73
3. Los Angeles Lakers – 1948.64
4. Houston Rockets – 1784.27
5. Denver Nuggets – 1753.82
6. Portland Trail Blazers – 1592.64
7. San Antonio Spurs – 1490.18
8. Golden State Warriors – 1463.55
9. Sacramento Kings – 1358.64
10. New Orleans Pelicans – 1334.55
11. Dallas Mavericks – 1250.55
12. Oklahoma City Thunder – 1117.72
13. Minnesota Timberwolves – 1060.82
14. Phoenix Suns – 1033.55
15. Memphis Grizzlies – 703.36
Pacific Division
1. Los Angeles Clippers
2. Los Angeles Lakers
3. Golden State Warriors
4. Sacramento Kings
5. Phoenix Suns
Northwest Division
1. Utah Jazz
2. Denver Nuggets
3. Portland Trail Blazers
4. Oklahoma City Thunder
5. Minnesota Timberwolves
Southwest Division
1. Houston Rockets
2. San Antonio Spurs
3. New Orleans Pelicans
4. Dallas Mavericks
5. Memphis Grizzlies
Playoff Predictions
First Round
Toronto Raptors over Milwaukee Bucks
Philadelphia 76ers over Miami Heat
Boston Celtics over Detroit Pistons
Brooklyn Nets over Indiana Pacers
Los Angeles Clippers over Golden State Warriors
Utah Jazz over San Antonio Spurs
Los Angeles Lakers over Portland Trail Blazers
Houston Rockets over Denver Nuggets
Conference Semi-Finals
Brooklyn Nets over Toronto Raptors
Philadelphia 76ers over Boston Celtics
Los Angeles Clippers over Houston Rockets
Los Angeles Lakers over Utah Jazz
Conference Finals
Philadelphia 76ers over Brooklyn Nets
Los Angeles Clippers over Los Angeles Lakers
2019-2020 NBA Finals
Philadelphia 76ers over Los Angeles Clippers