2013 – 2014 NBA Predictions | Playoffs, NBA Finals, and Award Winners

Earlier this season we delivered to the masses our popular 2013 – 2014 NFL Prediction. The NBA Season is right around the corner, making it the perfect time to drop our NBA 2013 – 2014 Season Prediction. Weighing in on this discussion are some of the top writers and editors here at Sports Unbiased.

Last season was arguably one of the most exciting playoff series in years. We witnessed players such as Paul George, Stephen Curry, and James Harden become bonafied superstars and leaders for their teams. On the other hand, teams such as the Oklahoma City Thunder and the L.A. Lakers suffered the unfortunate loss of their star players ( Kobe Bryant and Russell Westbrook ) resulting in early playoff exits.

Lebron James quite possibly solidified his name among the ranks of the top 5 NBA players of All-time after hoisting his 4th MVP trophy and clinching back to back NBA titles. Will the Miami Heat continue their reign as the best team in the league or will “The King”  bear witness to the raising of the championship banner in another arena?

The Sports Unbiased NBA team of writers were asked several NBA prediction questions, check out their responses below.

2014 NBA Predictions | Playoffs, NBA Championship, and Awards

 

Playoffs Prediction: Which top 8  Eastern and Western Conference teams will appear in the 2014 NBA Playoffs?

Brian Podoll:

NBA Eastern Conference: 1. Indiana Pacers, 2. Miami Heat, 3. Chicago Bulls, 4. Brooklyn Nets, 5. New York Knicks, 6. Milwaukee Bucks, 7. Atlanta Hawks, 8. Toronto Raptors

NBA Western Conference:  1. Oklahoma City Thunder, 2. Los Angeles Clippers, 3. Golden State Warriors, 4. San Antonio Spurs, 5. Memphis Grizzlies, 6. Houston Rockets,  7. Minnesota Timberwolves, 8. Portland Trail Blazers

Which NBA Team will win finish #1 in their Conference?
NBA Eastern Conference: The Indiana Pacers will break through and narrowly claim the top spot in the East over Miami and Chicago, thanks in part to the return of a healthy Danny Granger. The Pacers pushed Miami to seven games in last season’s Eastern finals without Granger and proved that they are a team on the rise. Frank Vogel is one of the unheralded coaches in the NBA, getting the most out of what he has and without a point guard the caliber of Chicago’s Derrick Rose.

NBA Western Conference: The Oklahoma City Thunder should reclaim the top spot in the West, although the loss of Kevin Martin as their sixth man will hurt. The Thunder still have the requisite firepower in Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook and the ability of defend, led by Serge Ibaka. The loss of Westbrook during last season’s playoffs was the factor in keeping them from a return to the Finals and they are still young and hungry enough to avenge that.

 

Kimani Gregoire:

NBA Eastern Conference: 1. Indiana Pacers, 2. Miami Heat, 3. Brooklyn Nets, 4. Chicago Bulls, 5. New York Knicks, 6. Detroit Pistons, 7. Cleveland Cavaliers, 8. Washington Wizards

NBA Western Conference: 1. LA Clippers, 2. OKC Thunder, 3. San Antonio Spurs, 4. Houston Rockets, 5. Memphis Grizzlies, 6. Golden State Warriors, 7. Denver Nuggets, 8. L.A. Lakers

Which NBA Team will win finish #1 in their Conference?
NBA Eastern Conference: The Indiana Pacers will be the top seed in the East. They will be motivated to claim home-court advantage throughout in case they play Miami again in the conference finals. Other contenders like Miami and Brooklyn will be more concerned with making sure that their players are healthy and rested come playoffs than they are about winning the top seed.

NBA Eastern Conference: The LA Clippers will be the top seed in the West. I love the addition of Doc Rivers as coach (one of the best motivators in the league) and the role players such as Dudley and Reddick. They have talent, depth, chemistry and great coaching.

 

Blaine Hunkins:

NBA Eastern Conference: 1. Heat, 2. Pacers, 3. Knicks, 4. Nets, 5. Bulls, 6. Cavaliers, 7. Hawks, 8. Pistons.

NBA Western Conference: 1. Thunder, 2. Spurs, 3. Nuggets, 4. Warriors, 5. Rockets, 6. Clippers, 7. Grizzlies, 8. Lakers

Which NBA Team will win finish #1 in their Conference?

NBA Eastern Conference: Miami Heat – They’ve been to the ECF three years and a row and have won it all 3 years. They also have the best NBA player in LeBron James.

NBA Western Conference: Houston Rockets – Dwight Howard was their newest addition, which is huge. Harden and Howard will become one of the best combo’s in NBA history.

 

JR Williams –

NBA Eastern Conference: 1. Brooklyn Nets,  2. Miami Heat, 3. Indiana Pacers, 4. NY Knicks, 5. Chicago Bulls, 6. Detroit Pistons, 7. Cleveland Cavaliers, 8. Toronto Raptors

NBA Western Conference: 1. San Antonio Spurs, 2. OKC Thunder, 3. L.A. Clippers, 4. Houston Rockets, 5. Memphis Grizzlies, 6. Golden State Warriors, 7. L.A. Lakers, 8. Denver Nuggets

Which NBA Team will win finish #1 in their Conference?

NBA Eastern Conference: Brooklyn Nets – The Nets have one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference. If healthy, their overall balance will catapult them onto having a 60+ win season.

NBA Western Conference: San Antonio Spurs –  With Russel Westbrook’s questionable health, the Spurs are primed to make another run at the Western Conference crown en-route to another NBA Finals appearance.

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