The Golden State Warriors have won four championships in the last eight years. They have a strong chance of winning again because their core squad is returning.
That said, there are numerous other storylines now that the season has begun, and everything has mostly died down. After all of their turmoil, can the Boston Celtics retain their position as the best team in the East? After making a sensational trade to acquire Donovan Mitchell, the Cleveland Cavaliers may now be in the process of challenging that.
The Los Angeles Lakers are attempting to regain their form after having a disastrous season in the West. We have provided our NBA playoff predictions for the 2022–23 seasons below with updates throughout the season.
That said, there are numerous other storylines now that the season has begun, and everything has mostly died down. After all of their turmoil, can the Boston Celtics retain their position as the best team in the East? After making a sensational trade to acquire Donovan Mitchell, the Cleveland Cavaliers may now be in the process of challenging that.
The Los Angeles Lakers are attempting to regain their form after having a disastrous season in the West. We have provided our NBA playoff predictions for the 2022–23 seasons below with updates throughout the season.
Play-In Tournament
10. Portland Trail Blazers
Damian Lillard is back in action and in good condition. Even if it's simply the play-in round, this squad should try to make the playoffs after revamping the roster to center around him. Jerami Grant will be an excellent complement to Lillard on this team because he can shoot and play defense. The Blazers will be a squad that opponents won't want to defend if Lillard is healthy. Portland returns to the playoffs thanks to the All-Star guard's excellent comeback campaign.
Damian Lillard is back in action and in good condition. Even if it's simply the play-in round, this squad should try to make the playoffs after revamping the roster to center around him. Jerami Grant will be an excellent complement to Lillard on this team because he can shoot and play defense. The Blazers will be a squad that opponents won't want to defend if Lillard is healthy. Portland returns to the playoffs thanks to the All-Star guard's excellent comeback campaign.
9. Los Angeles Lakers
Given that they could miss the playoffs, qualify for the play-in round, or be a top-six seed, this squad may be the most difficult to predict. Nothing in Hollywood is without a touch of the theatrical. LeBron James and Anthony Davis are still with the Lakers, but health has been a problem. This club might be a title contender if they can stay healthy.
There is, however, a $47-million elephant in the room. For the time being, Russell Westbrook is still on the roster, and he needs to get on board. If he succeeds, this team might be deadly. Nothing in his record, though, has indicated a readiness to do just that. This Lakers squad has the potential to be excellent, but many things must go perfectly for that to happen. Although we envision them returning to the postseason, their best-case scenario with this squad is a second-round departure.
Given that they could miss the playoffs, qualify for the play-in round, or be a top-six seed, this squad may be the most difficult to predict. Nothing in Hollywood is without a touch of the theatrical. LeBron James and Anthony Davis are still with the Lakers, but health has been a problem. This club might be a title contender if they can stay healthy.
There is, however, a $47-million elephant in the room. For the time being, Russell Westbrook is still on the roster, and he needs to get on board. If he succeeds, this team might be deadly. Nothing in his record, though, has indicated a readiness to do just that. This Lakers squad has the potential to be excellent, but many things must go perfectly for that to happen. Although we envision them returning to the postseason, their best-case scenario with this squad is a second-round departure.
8. Dallas Mavericks
After reaching the Conference Finals the previous season, why are the Mavericks ranked so low? Simply because other teams ahead of them improved their rosters while they did not. Jalen Brunson's departure, for example, will be detrimental to Luka Doncic and this group.
Although Christian Wood will assist, is he the solution? JaVale McGee will show some rim protection but not much more at this juncture in his career. Except for Doncic, this roster isn't mighty.
Can they once more deliver at a high defensive level? There are simply too many unanswered questions to rank the Dallas club higher than eight. Admittedly, we have a lower opinion of Dallas than you might.
Although Christian Wood will assist, is he the solution? JaVale McGee will show some rim protection but not much more at this juncture in his career. Except for Doncic, this roster isn't mighty.
Can they once more deliver at a high defensive level? There are simply too many unanswered questions to rank the Dallas club higher than eight. Admittedly, we have a lower opinion of Dallas than you might.
7. Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota accomplished one of the summer's biggest coups by obtaining Rudy Gobert from the Jazz. Most of their future draft picks were required to do so, but they still believed that the time to win was now. Gobert no doubt envisions joining Karl-Anthony Towns in the frontcourt's twin towers.
The Wolves will make it difficult for opponents to score at the rim, but Gobert's offensive limitations could occasionally damage this squad. Fortunately for them, forward Anthony Edwards is prepared to leap. He played outstandingly in the playoffs and appeared to be the league's true go-to scorer. Minnesota will be better, but it's unclear how much better they'll need to be to justify the Gobert trade. We'll just have to see.
Minnesota accomplished one of the summer's biggest coups by obtaining Rudy Gobert from the Jazz. Most of their future draft picks were required to do so, but they still believed that the time to win was now. Gobert no doubt envisions joining Karl-Anthony Towns in the frontcourt's twin towers.
The Wolves will make it difficult for opponents to score at the rim, but Gobert's offensive limitations could occasionally damage this squad. Fortunately for them, forward Anthony Edwards is prepared to leap. He played outstandingly in the playoffs and appeared to be the league's true go-to scorer. Minnesota will be better, but it's unclear how much better they'll need to be to justify the Gobert trade. We'll just have to see.
Clinched Official Playoff Spot
6. New Orleans Pelicans
This season, We're all-in on New Orleans. This club is prepared for the next stage after competing against the league-leading Suns and gaining some playoff experience last year.
The most crucial element of the playoffs was when Brandon Ingram demonstrated that he could be a team's top choice. When Zion Williamson returns from injury, they're prepared to take over. This club has high expectations because New Orleans hasn't had a true NBA winner in a long time.
When, if not this year? They must convince the league that they'll remain. They should receive a top-six playoff seed and develop into a club that no one wants to play in a seven-game series.
This season, We're all-in on New Orleans. This club is prepared for the next stage after competing against the league-leading Suns and gaining some playoff experience last year.
The most crucial element of the playoffs was when Brandon Ingram demonstrated that he could be a team's top choice. When Zion Williamson returns from injury, they're prepared to take over. This club has high expectations because New Orleans hasn't had a true NBA winner in a long time.
When, if not this year? They must convince the league that they'll remain. They should receive a top-six playoff seed and develop into a club that no one wants to play in a seven-game series.
5. Phoenix Suns
The Suns had the same nucleus as last year when they were the top seed. However, it's unclear how much that will impact this team after a postseason collapse and an offseason scandal involving the owner.
They'll still be excellent, mind you, but we believe they'll take an inevitable step back. Chris Paul is aging and has shown signs of senility throughout the playoffs. Unfortunately for them, he is (still) one of their key players, and they must not rely on him so heavily if they're to succeed. Devin Booker, on the other hand, must demonstrate that his two-year run to the NBA Finals wasn't an anomaly. He has the talent to improve anywhere, and he needs to.
Although they're a close-knit group, this club hasn't regularly demonstrated the mental toughness needed for the playoffs over the past two years.
The Suns had the same nucleus as last year when they were the top seed. However, it's unclear how much that will impact this team after a postseason collapse and an offseason scandal involving the owner.
They'll still be excellent, mind you, but we believe they'll take an inevitable step back. Chris Paul is aging and has shown signs of senility throughout the playoffs. Unfortunately for them, he is (still) one of their key players, and they must not rely on him so heavily if they're to succeed. Devin Booker, on the other hand, must demonstrate that his two-year run to the NBA Finals wasn't an anomaly. He has the talent to improve anywhere, and he needs to.
Although they're a close-knit group, this club hasn't regularly demonstrated the mental toughness needed for the playoffs over the past two years.
4. Memphis Grizzlies
Last year, the Grizzlies' shocking rise to prominence in the league was that season's surprise. They have a worthy cause now - to be motivated to have another successful year.
They're talented, young, and hungry. Opponents may find that combination frightening because they have greater postseason experience. Then again, if this squad is to succeed, Ja Morant will need to strengthen his defense, but we're sure he knows that.
This team is aware of that and will probably attempt to rest a little bit more this year than they did last.
They're talented, young, and hungry. Opponents may find that combination frightening because they have greater postseason experience. Then again, if this squad is to succeed, Ja Morant will need to strengthen his defense, but we're sure he knows that.
This team is aware of that and will probably attempt to rest a little bit more this year than they did last.
3. Los Angeles Clippers
This team is stocked to the brim. Watch out for the Clippers if Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are both healthy.
They have plenty of wing depth and are talented from top to bottom. Tyronn Lue, one of the finest in the NBA, is their coach, and he will help them get where they want to go. The Clippers' health is the only thing holding them back.
They have recently had bad luck in that area, but this year might be when everything comes together. If so, expect the league to be under attack.
This team is stocked to the brim. Watch out for the Clippers if Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are both healthy.
They have plenty of wing depth and are talented from top to bottom. Tyronn Lue, one of the finest in the NBA, is their coach, and he will help them get where they want to go. The Clippers' health is the only thing holding them back.
They have recently had bad luck in that area, but this year might be when everything comes together. If so, expect the league to be under attack.
2. Golden State Warriors
One of the top picks to win it all again this year will be the defending champs. However, with the loss of Gary Payton II and Otto Porter Jr., their bench strength did suffer.
However, this team always manages to succeed. The Warriors will still be OK, thanks to Steph Curry and Klay Thompson's excellent play. Draymond Green adds grit and vigor to the roster, ensuring its continued strength.
When Curry, Thompson, and Green have all been healthy and available to play, their trio has never lost a postseason series. They hope to build on this great accomplishment in the upcoming year.
However, this team always manages to succeed. The Warriors will still be OK, thanks to Steph Curry and Klay Thompson's excellent play. Draymond Green adds grit and vigor to the roster, ensuring its continued strength.
When Curry, Thompson, and Green have all been healthy and available to play, their trio has never lost a postseason series. They hope to build on this great accomplishment in the upcoming year.
1. Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets will likely win the Western conference's top seed this season, which is one of our high expectations.
It will be crucial to have Nikola Jokic on a team with Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. again. By adding Bruce Brown and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in the offseason, they also strengthened the roster's edges. Caldwell-Pope is a very able shooter and defender.
All season long, this will be a difficult club to play against because, in our opinion, they recognize the value of playing at home. They should start strong and rule the league this year.
The Denver Nuggets will likely win the Western conference's top seed this season, which is one of our high expectations.
It will be crucial to have Nikola Jokic on a team with Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. again. By adding Bruce Brown and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in the offseason, they also strengthened the roster's edges. Caldwell-Pope is a very able shooter and defender.
All season long, this will be a difficult club to play against because, in our opinion, they recognize the value of playing at home. They should start strong and rule the league this year.