These are the 10 teams with the best chance of winning the NBA Finals this season:
1. Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland continues to roll and owns the best record in the NBA. Kenny Atkinson will be a favorite for NBA Coach of the Year and continues to lead the Cavaliers. Cleveland’s continued domination can lead them to an NBA championship.
2. Oklahoma City Thunder
Oklahoma City has dominated the Western Conference all season and will be a force in the playoffs. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the front-runner for MVP, and the Thunder’s frontcourt presence will be the reason they win the NBA Finals.
3. Boston Celtics
Boston has caught fire recently, winning seven of their last 10 games. They’ve picked up their pace, and their playoff experience can take them to the Eastern Conference Finals. If Boston can best Cleveland in the Conference Finals, their experience will be the reason they repeat as NBA champions.
4. Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers are 6-2 since acquiring Luka Doncic, and his presence has given the Lakers the shot in the arm they needed. Steady production and lockdown defense can propel Los Angeles to win the NBA Finals.
5. New York Knicks
New York is in sole possession of the 3rd seed in the Eastern Conference, but their offense has taken a step back. Tom Thibodeau will always have a defense-first mentality, and this will help the Knicks right the ship offensively. If New York sees their offense click while continuing their defensive efficiency, they can win the NBA Finals.
6. Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets are a team that will pick up their pace when the playoffs start. They’re a veteran squad that has a recent NBA Championship under their belts. If they reach the Western Conference Finals and defeat Oklahoma City, their playoff experience can lead them to a second NBA championship in three seasons.
7. Indiana Pacers
The Pacers are destined to finish as the fifth or sixth seed in the Eastern Conference. They’ve been consistent for most of the season and will be a tough matchup for any playoff opponent. They lack overall playoff experience but can win the NBA Championship by continuing their high pace of play and keeping each playoff game close.
8. Memphis Grizzlies
Memphis has hit a rough patch, going 4-6 over their last 10 games. They have one of the NBA’s toughest remaining schedules and need to enter the playoffs on two feet. If the Grizzlies are to win the NBA Finals, they will need big games from Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr.
9. Houston Rockets
Fred VanVleet’s return is huge for a Rockets team that is 5-5 over their last 10 games. VanVleet will help an offense that has struggled of late, and the team will look for the veteran to carry them into the playoffs. The Rockets’ hopes of an NBA Championship will rely on overall health, improved offensive efficiency, and lockdown perimeter defense.
10. Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota continues to struggle with efficiency. If the season ended today, they’d be in the play-in tournament, and fixing any deficiencies will be the key to moving on in the playoffs. The Timberwolves’ chances of winning an NBA championship come down to keeping games close, finding efficiency, and surviving the play-in tournament.
