How much will the seedings change in the East? An NBA champion will be crowned for the 2019-20 season. Tucker and Danuel House Jr., the Rockets have different options for trying to slow down James, while Harden and Russell Westbrook will be incredibly difficult covers for the Lakers guards.The battle of Los Angeles seems inevitable, as the Lakers and Clippers combine both star power and depth into two of the NBA's best rosters.The Clippers already possessed one of the best rosters in the league even before adding Marcus Morris Sr., Reggie Jackson and Joakim Noah, now making them perhaps the deepest as well.This would be a nightmare matchup for Utah given Houston's new small-ball identity.With Tatum taking the next step toward stardom, this series could cement him as one of the best forwards in the league. 8 seed will earn the final playoff spot. The board of governors is expected to pass the format on Thursday, with… 0 of 8. 8 seed in the West play out? Despite Portland's newly healthy roster, James and the Lakers move on.Role players will also make a big difference in this series, be it Lou Williams, Patrick Beverley and Montrezl Harrell for the Clippers or Danny Green, Kyle Kuzma and Rajon Rondo for the Lakers.Spencer Dinwiddie, Caris LeVert and Jarrett Allen are good enough to make for some competitive games, but the Bucks and their NBA-best record are ultimately too powerful on both ends of the ball.Tatum doesn't have the size to defend Antetokounmpo, and using Daniel Theis raises the question of who guards Brook Lopez if the Celtics use their traditional starting five.Portland's reward for storming back and grabbing the final seed in the West? — NBA (@NBA) June 26, 2020 The playoffs will follow the typical format with full best-of-seven series all the way through the NBA Finals. James struggled during the regular season, averaging just 23.0 points on 38.3 percent shooting overall and 21.7 percent from three.Milwaukee has maintained its hierarchy in the East, dominating opponents on both ends behind MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and a supporting cast that fits around him perfectly.The Lakers advance to the NBA Finals by the slightest of margins.While the Magic stole the opening game from the Raptors last year, this Toronto squad is even better defensively from the team that won the title. Harry How/Getty Images. Trying to guard 6'7" Jaylen Brown won't be easy for 6'1" Fred VanVleet, and the Celtics have a stopper in Marcus Smart who can shut down either Lowry or VanVleet for stretches.If Boston can weather the storm in the paint, it has a huge advantage in the backcourt.An NBA champion will be crowned for the 2019-20 season.Nikola Jokic should have a monster series given his success against the Clippers during the regular season (20.5 points, 12.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 55.6 percent shooting in 28.3 minutes). Resumed play would include regular-season games and a play-in tournament for postseason berths. "Seeding games" will be played through Aug. 14, and a play-in tournament will be held Aug. 15-16 if necessary with the first round of the playoffs starting Aug. 17. Nor will it look like a repeat of the gentleman's sweep Milwaukee handed Boston in the playoffs a year ago.The key for L.A. in the series will be the defensive play of Davis (and sometimes James) on Antetokounmpo. 8 seed, then those teams will enter a play-in tournament (double-elimination for the eighth seed, single-elimination for the ninth seed).
While Giannis Antetokounmpo looked like he had taken the title from James last season, the four-time MVP's performance this year while leading the league in assists means he hasn't surrendered his crown quite yet.Jimmy Butler should do his best to get into the heads of Simmons and Embiid, reminding them who carried the Sixers in the playoffs last year. LeBron James, Anthony Davis and the Los Angeles Lakers.Houston knocks out Utah in five games for the third year in a row.The teams split their two regular-season meetings, with Antetokounmpo and Anthony Davis each averaging 33.0 points.In this prediction, the Nuggets got by the Thunder in a close first-round series.With 22 teams returning to play in late July, the 2020 postseason will run from mid-August to mid-October, finally providing a conclusion to a season that began nearly a full year earlier.As good as the Nuggets are, this series won't be close.With Murray somewhat neutralized, Denver will need Paul Millsap, Michael Porter Jr. and Gary Harris to pick up the slack.
Against two of the NBA's best defensive forwards in Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, that won't be easy.Two of the slower, more physical teams in the NBA, the Heat and Sixers will play the most entertaining first-round series of all.James doesn't have to lead the Lakers in scoring with Anthony Davis around, but his efficiency and playmaking remain crucial to L.A.'s success.Both teams were terrific at home this season and well below .500 on the road, so playing at a neutral site will ensure the best team will win.The Clippers had four players average at least 20 points per game against the Nuggets during the regular season (Leonard, George, Lou Williams and Montrezl Harrell), putting up 118 a night as a team.The best regular-season teams meet each other in the NBA Finals, with the front-runners for MVP squaring off. The NBA's return is looming. 9 seed is four games or fewer behind the No.