The NBA regular season will be coming to an end in a little under two months and we have already seen some great performances. But the final few weeks of the season always bring the dramatic flare that the league is known for.
Teams are positioning themselves for the postseason and it could see a ton of movement in the standings. But what will happen is the fun of the final few weeks.
Here are five bold predictions for the remainder of the NBA season.
5. Detroit Pistons earn a top-six seed in Eastern Conference playoffs
One of the biggest surprises from the season has been the emergence of the Pistons. Detroit has come out of the basement and is in line for a postseason spot.
The Pistons are currently a top-six team in the East and they will end up finishing the year with a guaranteed playoff spot.
4. Dallas Mavericks finish with better record than Los Angeles Lakers
As things currently stand, the Lakers have a few-game lead over the Mavericks in the standings. But overall, Dallas has a better roster even with the injuries that they have suffered.
The Lakers are trying to navigate the addition of Luka Doncic to the rotation and it could take some time. There will be growing pains in Los Angeles and the Lakers are about to embark on a tough stretch of games. This will lead to Dallas overtaking them and finishing the regular season with a better record.
3. Evan Mobley will win Defensive Player of the Year following injury to Victor Wembanyama
Since San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama is now out for the remainder of the season, he will be ineligible to win any big awards. This opens the door for others, and Cavaliers center Evan Mobley will take advantage.
Mobley is one of the best defenders in the NBA and has been leading the charge for Cleveland. The former NBA All-Defensive First Team player will add more hardware to his resume.
2. Boston Celtics will overtake Cleveland Cavaliers for top spot in East
The Celtics have been battling to overtake the Cavaliers all season and currently sit 5.5 games behind in the standings. But when all is said and done, Boston will hold the top spot in the conference.
Boston should be the favorite to win the East and will remind everyone just how good they are down the stretch of the season.
1. The Denver Nuggets, not Oklahoma City Thunder, will win Western Conference
The Nuggets are one of the hottest teams in the NBA, having won nine straight games. They will end up winning the Western Conference, at least when the playoffs start.
The Thunder are far enough ahead to likely win the conference in the standings but Denver will represent the West in the NBA Finals.
More NBA news:
Grizzlies GM Zach Kleiman Shuts Down Ja Morant Trade Speculation
Mavericks CEO Rick Welts Addresses Fans’ Anger Over Luka Doncic Trade to Lakers
Bucks’ Bobby Portis Hit With Massive Suspension For Violating NBA Policy
What Victor Wembanyama’s Injury Means for Spurs’ Future
Notable NBA Players Who Suffered Same Injury as Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama
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