2019–20 NBA Predictions

Remy Johnson
Nov 4 · 6 min read

Basketball is back and better than ever

The western conference champion could come out of LA, but which team is better suited to make a title run? (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)

At last, at last!

The season filled with buzzer beaters, ankle-snatching crossovers and disrespectful dunks is finally upon us.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past couple of months, you know two very important facts: the Golden State Warriors are no longer the favorites to win it all and the path to the Larry O’Brien Trophy is wide open in both conferences.

My heart is jumping with excitement while typing these words so it’s time to cut to the chase.


Eastern Conference

Bottom of the barrel: Charlotte, New York, Cleveland, Washington

R.J. Barrett is the glimmer of hope the Knicks desperately need. (The Athletic)

Charlotte: The Hornets have an assortment of unheralded players but some of them definitely have talent in P.J. Washington, Terry Rozier and Miles Bridges.

New York: The Knicks have sprinkles of talent, I’m just concerned with how they’re going to gel on the court. Julius Randle, Marcus Morris, Taj Gibson and Bobby Portis all play the same position.

Cleveland: I forgot Kevin Love was even on the team. Something tells me his days in Cleveland are numbered, as a contender could use his stretch-4 ability. I’m interested to see how the backcourt of Collin Sexton and Darius Garland works out.

Washington: John Wall is probably out for the season after rupturing his Achilles tendon in February. Bradley Beal is a hot name around trade rumors. The Wizards need a changing of the guard.

Teams with surprise potential: Chicago, Atlanta, Detroit

Trae Young has a chance to be an all-star this season. (AJC)

Chicago: There’s no questioning the Bulls’ talent. They have Zach LaVine who could be an all-star this season, Lauri Markkanen, Wendell Carter Jr. and rookie guard Coby White. I’m just trying to think of who’s going to play defense.

Atlanta: Trae Young will continue to dazzle, John Collins will continue to give energy and effort but is this team too young? I know they have 42-year-old Vince Carter on the roster but they’re relying heavily on rookies Deandre Hunter and Cam Reddish.

Detroit: If this team stays healthy, this team could be a top-four seed in the East. However, two of the team’s top three players are injury prone. (Blake Griffin, Derrick Rose) Reggie Jackson and Luke Kennard will need to be consistent scorers to lift the Pistons into the playoffs.

Fringe playoff contenders: Miami, Orlando, Brooklyn

Kyrie Irving might have an MVP caliber season. (NBA.com)

Miami: Kendrick Nunn is a name to watch out for. He can provide the additional scoring boost that the squad will need to take pressure off of Jimmy Butler and the rest of the team.

Orlando: The mystery of Markelle Fultz. If Fultz can step in and consistently contribute, the Magic could fight for home court in the first round of the playoffs.

Brooklyn: Who’s going to be the guy that helps out Kyrie? We know he’s an incredible talent but somebody else is going to have to step up. Look no further than Caris LeVert.

The upper-echelon: Toronto, Indiana, Boston, Philadelphia, Milwaukee

Giannis won MVP last season, could a Finals appearance be next for the Bucks?

Toronto: The defending champs are being disrespected. Nobody’s talking about the Raptors as a threat because Kawhi Leonard is gone but this team is still deep.

Indiana: When Victor Oladipo comes back around December or January, this Pacers team will be a problem. They added Malcolm Brogdon and already have a talented frontcourt.

Boston: The Celtics’ frontcourt is their weakest link and will be their downfall come playoff time.

Philadelphia: Even with the loss of Jimmy Butler, the Sixers should be primed for a big year.

Milwaukee: The Bucks will remain at the top of the conference after losing in the Eastern Conference Finals last season.

Final standings

  1. Milwaukee
  2. Philadelphia
  3. Boston
  4. Indiana
  5. Toronto
  6. Brooklyn
  7. Orlando
  8. Miami

Eastern Conference Finals will be…

This would be a lot of fun. (Jeff Hanisch/USA TODAY Sports)

The top two seeds in the East should be on a collision course to meet in May.

The Bucks will dispose of the Heat and Pacers in the first two rounds, while the Sixers will handle the Magic and Celtics.

Milwaukee and Philly are clearly the two best teams in the East.

If healthy, Joel Embiid will be a matchup nightmare and is capable of getting the Bucks’ bigs in foul trouble.

I’m picking the Sixers to beat the Bucks in six games and advance to the NBA Finals.

Western Conference

Bottom of the barrel: Memphis, Phoenix, Oklahoma City, Golden State

Ja Morant has “star” written all over him. (Jerome Miron/USA TODAY Sports)

Memphis: I’m excited to watch Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson play together. That’s about it.

Phoenix: The Suns aren’t lacking talent. I just need to see them play consistently from game-to-game.

Oklahoma City: Without Russell Westbrook, this should be a scrappy group who struggles to put the ball in the hoop.

Golden State: Not having Klay Thompson will affect the Warriors mightily. He makes their offense flow and is probably their best on-ball defender. Now Steph Curry is out for at least three months with a broken hand. It’s time for the Warriors to tank.

Teams with surprise potential: Minnesota, New Orleans, Sacramento

Zion will miss the first 6–8 weeks of the season. Can the Pelicans stay afloat without him? (Getty Images)

Minnesota: We know KAT is good but who else can be consistent for the Timberwolves?

New Orleans: Even without Zion, things should be exciting in NOLA.

Sacramento: The Kings are young, exciting and play fast. They will give teams problems this season.

Fringe playoff contenders: San Antonio, Dallas

Can Luka lead the Mavs to the playoffs? (Hoops Hype)

San Antonio: The Spurs’ 22-year playoff streak is in jeopardy. Not because of the state of their team but just due to the strength of the West.

Dallas: Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis could be the next great duo in the NBA, and the Mavs could be playoff bound.

The upper-echelon: Utah, LA Lakers, Houston, LA Clippers, Portland, Denver

How will Russell Westbrook and James Harden coexist in Houston? (USA Today)

Utah: The addition of Mike Conley will do wonders for the Jazz and turns them into a legit contender.

LA Lakers: If Anthony Davis and LeBron James are healthy come playoff time, the Lakers could be headed to the finals. AD’s health is a big “if” though.

Houston: People assume that if Westbrook and Harden reached the Finals in OKC, they’ll do it again in Houston. It’s possible but not a guarantee.

LA Clippers: The Clippers added Kawhi Leonard and Paul George to an overachieving team from last season. Expectations are through the roof.

Portland: People remain sleep on the Blazers but they made the Western Conference Finals last season for a reason.

Denver: The Nuggets had the second best record in the West last season. The same team basically returns from a season ago which should pay dividends for their team chemistry.

Final standings

  1. Denver
  2. Portland
  3. LA Clippers
  4. Houston
  5. LA Lakers
  6. Utah
  7. Dallas
  8. San Antonio

Western Conference Finals will be…

Get ready for an LA showdown. (Harry How/Getty Images)

The Clippers and Lakers will meet with the whole world tuned in. The Clippers will shut down Utah and Portland while the Lakers will slide past the Rockets and Nuggets to set up this Hollywood showdown.

If Boogie is back for this series, I’ll be tempted to pick the Lakers but I’ll take the Clippers in six.

NBA Finals will be……

Clippers and Sixers

LA wouldn’t be able to guard Embiid down low but the Sixers wouldn’t be able to handle Kawhi’s efficiency and versatility. Paul George would slice the Sixers up in this series. Clippers in 6.


Awards predictions

MVP: Damian Lillard (POR) (Honorable mention: Giannis Antetokounmpo)

Rookie of the Year: Zion Williamson (NO)(honorable mention: R.J. Barrett)

Defensive Player of the Year: Kawhi Leonard (LAC)

Coach of the Year: Mike Malone (DEN)

Sixth Man of the Year: Derrick Rose (DET)

Most Improved: Caris LeVert (BKN)

Remy Johnson

Written by

I live, eat and write sports.

Welcome to a place where words matter. On Medium, smart voices and original ideas take center stage - with no ads in sight. Watch
Follow all the topics you care about, and we’ll deliver the best stories for you to your homepage and inbox. Explore
Get unlimited access to the best stories on Medium — and support writers while you’re at it. Just $5/month. Upgrade