Championship Contenders Make The Rounds
The NBA is back!
After a long and drama filled offseason, the NBA will tip-off tonight with a pair of matchups.
Kyrie Irving and the Boston Celtics host Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers (8 pm/ET) at the TD Garden Arena as they begin their duel for the Eastern Conference.
That game will be followed by the final season opener at Oracle Arena as the defending NBA champion Golden State Warriors welcome the Russell Westbrook-less Oklahoma City Thunder (10:30 pm/ET) into the Bay.
Before tonight’s games I will conclude my preview and predictions for all 30 NBA teams for this upcoming 2018-19 season.
We last left off with teams 12 through 7 and will end this four-part article series with the final six teams.
The Golden State Warriors are trying to chase down history, but a few of the teams on this list will have something to say about that. When the Warriors acquired DeMarcus Cousins, it was time to burn the NBA into the ground. But why have things cooled off?
One, it’s hard to win three titles in a row, let alone four in five years. Two, Houston had a real chance to spring the upset over Golden State in the Western Conference Finals and Chris Paul’s injury robbed them of an opportunity to compete at full strength over the fjnal two games.
Houston and number of other teams will be looking to hunt down Golden State and end their run this season, the question is, will they?
We sure can’t wait to find out.
Let’s take a look at my final team preview and predictions for the 2018-19 season!
6. Oklahoma City Thunder
Photo by Nate Billings/The Oklahoman
Record last season: 48-34
Win projection for 2018-19: 45.9 wins
O/U: Over
Successful season: Make Western Conference Finals, Win Northwest Division, Finish 10 wins better than win projection, Make Playoffs, Finish in top 5 in FG percentage allowed, Finish in top 10 in 3-point FG percentage allowed
Prediction: Russell Westbrook Wins NBA Scoring Title
While playing alongside a All-Star like Paul George won’t result in Westbrook turning into a Tasmanian devil like he did two seasons ago in his first triple-double season, no legitimate third scoring option keeps his usage rate relatively high.
If Westbrook’s knee is as fine as people believe it to be, there’s no reason to think it’s not another year in which ‘Brodie’ adds to his collection of individual accomplishments. He’ll be challenged by James Harden and Anthony Davis, but in the end will win this year’s scoring title.
5. Philadelphia 76ers
Photo via nba.com
Record last season: 52-30
Win projection for 2018-19: 53.7 wins
O/U: Over
Successful season: Make NBA Finals, Finish 5 wins above win projection, Win Atlantic Division, Finish top 3 in assists, Finish top 3 in points and points allowed
Prediction: Joel Embiid Wins Defensive Player of the Year
Joel Embiid has probably let everyone who’s willing to listen know that he plays defense. That’s more of challenge than a shot thrown at other big men considered elite as Embiid is in that class, but defensively he truly is a game changer.
Much like Anthony Davis, his quick feet and ability to move laterally allow him to defend the pick and roll as good as any big man in the NBA. Philadelphia was a top 5 defensive team with Embiid on the floor last year and finished in the top 3 among candidates for the Defensive Player of the Year Award. He gets it this season.
4. Toronto Raptors
Photo by Steve Russell/Getty Images
Record last season: 59-23
Win projection for 2018-19: 58.4 wins
O/U: Over
Successful season:
Prediction: Raptors Finish With 60 Wins
The question is not if the Toronto Raptors got better from the trade to acquire Kawhi Leonard. The question is, now that ‘Lebronto’ is a thing of the past, is this Toronto’s year? Losing Jakob Poeltl is a significant loss off the bench, but depth off the bench isn’t what Toronto lacks.
With Kawhi Leonard, Toronto should be plenty formidable, specifically in the regular-season. A team good on defense has become great, and that will translate into a new franchise-record in wins this season.
3. Houston Rockets
Photo by Getty Images
Record last season: 65-17
Win projection for 2018-19: 51.8 wins
O/U: Over
Successful season:
Prediction: Rockets Fail To Reach WCF
Shocker!
I must say, the redemption story for Chris Paul coming back to defeat the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference Finals this season sure does sound like the perfect underdog story.
Unfortunately, Houston replicating last year’s 65 win total won’t happen and Golden State is likely to take it up a notch after nearly losing in the WCF because they didn’t have home-court. Consider that the Rockets lost two key defenders and will rely on P.J. Tucker to play a bigger role, I’m picking Houston to fall before the WCF.
2. Boston Celtics
Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images
Record last season: 55-27
Win projection for 2018-19: 56.4 wins
O/U: Over
Successful season: Win NBA title, Make NBA Finals, Finish 5 wins above win projection, Win Atlantic Division, Finish top 3 in points and points allowed
Prediction: The Boston Celtics stay relatively healthy this season; Make NBA Finals
This is a dicey prediction to make given the severity of Gordon Hayward’s devastating leg injury coupled with Kyrie Irving’s knee injury becoming a recurring issue. Given the influx of talent that they possess, I believe Brad Stevens is in a coaches dream in terms of his options.
Boston is deep and have the ability to sub out starters like Brown and Tatum early in games so they game come in to start quarters with the strong bench unit. Boston avoids a significant injury bug this season to make it to the NBA Finals.
1. Golden State Warriors
Photo by Monte Poole/NBCS Bay Area
Record last season: 58-24
Win projection for 2018-19: 64.7 wins
O/U: Over
Successful season: Win NBA title, Finish with win projection, Win Pacific Division, Finish Top 3 in points and points allowed, Finish Top 3 in FG percentage and 3-point percentage allowed
Prediction: Golden State Warriors Defeat Celtics In Seven Games in NBA Finals
Make it four titles in five years. The Golden State Warriors will get a new Eastern Conference foe this season in the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals. Boston is formidable and will push Golden State to the limit.
The key in the series is Golden State’s defense on the young wing players. Kyrie will get his every game but Golden State’s suffocating defense will lead to a Warriors three-peat.
What are your thoughts on the teams listed here heading into the 2018-19 season? Leave your comments below!
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