NBA Standings Predictions 2022-23 Season

Eastern Conference:

1. Bucks

2. 76ers

3. Heat

4. Celtics

5. Cavaliers

6. Nets

7. Raptors

8. Hawks

9. Knicks

10. Bulls

11. Wizards

12. Magic

13. Hornets

14. Pistons

15. Pacers

An interesting year is ahead in the East as it continues to get more competitive. The top spot is really a toss up, but if the Bucks stay fairly healthy the spot should be theirs. Not far behind them is the Sixers, which also needs to stay healthy in their first full year of James Harden. The next two spots should be occupied by the Heat and Celtics as both teams are coming off of impressive seasons. There are even higher expectations for the Celtics as they had a huge run to the Finals last season. The Cavs and Raptors were surprise teams last season and should be able to maintain good regular seasons once again. The Cavs should take an even bigger step with the huge addition of Donovan Mitchell. A big question mark comes with the Nets, as they could be top three seed if they can stay on the court and find chemistry. For now though, putting them at the six spot seems reasonable enough considering what the teams above them did last season. Rounding out the playoff teams is the Hawks, Knicks, and Bulls. The Hawks had a big acquisition with Dejounte Murray joining the backcourt with Trae Young. This duo might take a little while to gel, therefore they should finish around the eight spot, but could definitely finish higher. The Knicks and the Bulls are about at the same level with question marks and should be competing for the last spots in the play-in. This conference should shape up to finish better than usual.

Western Conference:

1. Warriors

2. Nuggets

3. Clippers

4. Suns

5. Grizzlies

6. Timberwolves

7. Lakers

8. Pelicans

9. Mavericks

10. Trail Blazers

11. Kings

12. Thunder

13. Rockets

14. Jazz

15. Spurs

The West should once again be competitive to a tee, as many teams continue to improve as well. At the top should be a toss up in this conference as well, but the Warriors should be clicking as they are coming off another championship. After that could really be any team, but the Nuggets and Clippers should be right there as they get key returning players in Kawhi Leonard and Jamal Murray. The Suns have been questionable with the off-season, but should be a solid regular season team once again if they are on the same page. The Grizzlies and Timberwolves were the surprises of the West last season, and should continue to compete with the other powerhouses. The Lakers are being written of by many based on last season, but if they find chemistry they should be much better than last season, especially with Lebron James at the helm. The last three teams in the Pelicans, Mavs, and Blazers are reliant on one player to propel them next season. With Lillard coming back, the Blazers should be much better, and same goes to the Pelicans with Williamson returning. The Mavs rely on their star Luka Doncic, but had a questionable off-season which leads many to believe how much Doncic can carry them. This conference will be ultra competitive, and should be very fun to watch as the season unwinds.