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NBA predictions: Expert picks for 2024 champion, complete standings projections as new season tips off – CBS Sports
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After a rollicking summer marked by superstar trade demands (some fulfilled and some unfulfilled), the 2023-24 NBA season is set to tip off on Tuesday as one of the most exciting and unpredictable in recent memory. There are at least a dozen teams that could conceivably make a run to the Finals, while some of the bottom-dwellers from a season ago appear ready to dip their toes into the waters of contention.
Therefore, projecting the NBA standings for the upcoming season seems like a fool’s errand – or in this case, an expert’s errand. We tabbed our CBS Sports NBA staff to try their hand at prognostication, not only picking which teams will and will not make the postseason, but also predicting the exact order. Yeah, we’re that good… or maybe that foolish.
What stands out is the top-heaviness of the Eastern Conference, with the Celtics and Bucks seemingly head and shoulders above the rest, in direct contrast to the depth of the West. The Nuggets appear poised to defend their title with vigor, but the Suns, Lakers, Warriors, Kings, Clippers, Pelicans, Grizzlies and Mavericks could all be legitimate contenders to the throne – with the obvious caveat of relative health.
It should be an incredibly intriguing season and, who knows, maybe one of our experts will get the finishing order exactly right. Only one way to find out – let’s get to it.
No. 1
Celtics
Celtics
Celtics
Celtics
Celtics
No. 2
Bucks
Bucks
Bucks
Bucks
Bucks
No. 3
Cavaliers
76ers
Cavaliers
Cavaliers
Heat
No. 4
Hawks
Cavaliers
76ers
76ers
Cavaliers
No. 5
Knicks
Heat
Knicks
Knicks
76ers
No. 6
76ers
Knicks
Heat
Pacers
Knicks
No. 7
Pacers
Nets
Hawks
Heat
Nets
No. 8
Heat
Raptors
Bulls
Hawks
Pacers
No. 9
Nets
Pacers
Nets
Bulls
Bulls
No. 10
Magic
Hawks
Pacers
Raptors
Magic
No. 11
Bulls
Bulls
Magic
Magic
Hawks
No. 12
Raptors
Magic
Hornets
Nets
Wizards
No. 13
Hornets
Hornets
Raptors
Hornets
Raptors
No. 14
Pistons
Pistons
Pistons
Pistons
Pistons
No. 15
Wizards
Wizards
Wizards
Wizards
Hornets
No. 1
Nuggets
Nuggets
Nuggets
Nuggets
Nuggets
Nuggets
No. 2
Suns
Suns
Suns
Timberwolves
Lakers
Suns
No. 3
Lakers
Warriors
Warriors
Grizzlies
Pelicans
Warriors
No. 4
Pelicans
Clippers
Kings
Warriors
Warriors
Clippers
No. 5
Warriors
Timberwolves
Lakers
Thunder
Suns
Thunder
No. 6
Thunder
Grizzlies
Clippers
Lakers
Kings
Timberwolves
No. 7
Timberwolves
Mavericks
Grizzlies
Suns
Timberwolves
Kings
No. 8
Kings
Kings
Timberwolves
Kings
Clippers
Lakers
No. 9
Clippers
Thunder
Thunder
Clippers
Mavericks
Grizzlies
No. 10
Grizzlies
Lakers
Pelicans
Mavericks
Grizzlies
Pelicans
No. 11
Mavericks
Pelicans
Mavericks
Pelicans
Thunder
Mavericks
No. 12
Spurs
Rockets
Jazz
Jazz
Jazz
Jazz
No. 13
Rockets
Jazz
Rockets
Rockets
Blazers
Rockets
No. 14
Jazz
Spurs
Blazers
Blazers
Rockets
Spurs
No. 15
Blazers
Blazers
Spurs
Spurs
Spurs
Blazers
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