NBA 2023-24 Season Predictions

With the NBA season quickly approaching and drama unfolding before our very eyes, it is easy to predict that this 82 game marathon with result in nothing but bedlam. Last season resulted in the Denver Nuggets coveting their first Larry O'Brien trophy in franchise history led by arguably the NBA's best duo in Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray.

While this is one of the most anticipated season in quite some time with the arrival of Spurs phenom Victor Wembanyama, there are many more faces in new uniforms such as newly acquired Milwaukee Buck, Damian Lillard, Suns guard Bradley Beal, Warriors guard Chris Paul, among others. Here are my predictions for this season as well as the NBA Playoffs. Let me know if you agree and how your favorite team will do this season.

Eastern Conference

1. Boston Celtics (59-23)

2. Milwaukee Bucks (57-25)

3. Philadelphia 76ers (52-30)

4. Cleveland Cavaliers (49-33)

5. Miami Heat (47-35)

6. New York Knicks (46-36)

7. Atlanta Hawks (44-38)

8. Brooklyn Nets (43-39)

9. Indiana Pacers (41-41)

10. Chicago Bulls (39-43)

11. Orlando Magic (36-46)

12. Toronto Raptors (35-47)

13. Charlotte Hornets (29-53)

14. Detroit Pistons (25-57)

15. Washington Wizards (22-60)

Western Conference

1. Phoenix Suns (56-26)

2. Denver Nuggets (54-28)

3. Golden State Warriors (51-31)

4. Los Angeles Lakers (49-33)

5. Los Angeles Clippers (48-34)

6. Sacramento Kings (46-36)

7. Memphis Grizzlies (44-38)

8. Dallas Mavericks (43-39)

9. New Orleans Pelicans (42-40)

10. Oklahoma City Thunder (40-42)

11. Minnesota Timberwolves (38-44)

12. Utah Jazz (36-46)

13. San Antonio Spurs (35-47)

14. Houston Rockets (32-50)

15. Portland Trail Blazers (28-54)

Conference Finals

Celtics vs Bucks

Warriors vs Nuggets

NBA Champion

Boston Celtics

Although Marcus Smart was a fan favorite in Boston, I feel like the additions of both Jrue Holliday and Kristaps Porzingis are going to propel Boston over the hump and gives them a more dynamic look with Tatum and Brown leading the charge. I believe this is the year Boston figures it out led by an MVP campaign from Jayson Tatum who will force people to start recognizing him as one of the best Small Forwards in the league.

The Milwaukee Bucks are bringing back their same core, subtracting Jrue Holliday while bringing in one of the best shooters of all-time in 7x All-Star Damian Lillard. The pick-and-roll facet of this offense is going to be fun to watch and it will open up more open looks for Khris Middleton, Malik Beasley, and co.

A big question mark still surrounds the 76ers, as it looks like James Harden is at training camp, but not making things very easy. The Clippers are in minimal talks to get him, per reports but nothing is imminent as things currently stand. Reigning MVP Joel Embiid and his squad ride heavily on Harden being a contributing factor night in and night out, but if external circumstances create problems on the court, the 76ers are in for a rude awakening.

The Phoenix Suns are proving that they are "all in" to win an NBA Championship freeing Bradley Beal of his loyalty to Washington and Wizards fans. This is a team that struggled finding bench contributions a year ago, but have signed Eric Gordon, Yuta Watanabe, Bol Bol, and have acquired Jusuf Nurkic, Nassir Little, and Grayson Allen in the Damian Lillard blockbuster deal. This is going to be a really fun team to watch, especially with the continuity of Devin Booker and Kevin Durant strengthening.

The Denver Nuggets had a very underwhelming off-season, however when you are the defending NBA Champions, the best remedy is to run it back with the guys that got the job done. With the subtractions of Bruce Brown, Jeff Green and Thomas Bryant, the Nuggets are ready to run it back in 2023-24 under the leadership of Michael Malone. This is a team that has one of the best duos in the league in Jokic and Murray and I fully expect them to make some more noise this season in a Western Conference that is full of superstar level talent.

The Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, and Los Angeles Clippers are going to be right there with the best of the west, however these teams need to stay healthy and mightily improve their home and away splits. Will Chris Paul finally get a ring in Golden State? It definitely could be in the cards.

My season awards:

MVP

Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics

DPOY

Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

ROTY

Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs

Most Improved Player

Mikal Bridges, Brooklyn Nets

Sixth Man Of The Year

Immanuel Quickley, New York Knicks

Coach Of The Year

Mark Daigneault, OKC Thunder

The NBA season kicks off on Tuesday, Oct. 24 in a double header between the Lakers/Nuggets and Suns/Warriors. The anticipated debut of rookie Victor Wembanyama is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 25 at 9:30pm ET following the game between the Celtics and Knicks on ESPN. Get ready folks, another great NBA season is almost upon us!