Western Conference
- Los Angeles Clippers: 58-24
- Denver Nuggets: 56-26
- Utah Jazz: 55-27
- Houston Rockets: 54-28
- Los Angeles Lakers: 54-28
- Golden State Warriors: 53-29
- Portland Trail-Blazers: 53-29
- Sacramento Kings: 44-38
- San Antonio Spurs: 43-39
- Dallas Mavericks: 42-40
- New Orleans Pelicans: 39-43
- Minnesota Timberwolves: 35-47
- Oklahoma City Thunder: 30-52
- Phoenix Suns: 27-55
- Memphis Grizzlies: 22-60
Once again, the big blockbuster change comes from Kawhi Leonard. With him and Paul George joining a Clippers team that already won 48 games last year, I think they will earn the top seed.
Then the hunt for seeds 2-7 will be super tight, although I see Denver and Utah being the most consistent of the pack. Unlike Denver and Utah, the other teams will be dealing with integrating star players into their playbook, getting starting players back from injury and possibly load management.
Now the real question is, how does this affect the Utah Jazz?
First off, I have them finishing third with 55 wins, the best seeding and regular season record since the year 2000. A major milestone for this club.
Secondly, I have them in a different playoff bracket then the Clippers, Lakers and Houston Rockets. They wouldn’t have to meet either of those teams until the conference finals. This would be welcomed news for Jazz faithful, and here’s why:
The Lakers have tons of size similar to the Philadelphia 76ers. Can Rudy Gobert be the only true big on the floor against a lineup with Anthony Davis and Dwight Howard/JaVale McGee? Throw Kyle Kuzma into the equation and it’s even more complicated.
Besides that, the Lakers have LeBron James. Since 2006, he has won 13 of a possible 14 first-round playoff series (he didn’t make the playoffs last year). LeBron has never been eliminated in the first round his whole career. The last time he was eliminated in the second round was 2010. Nobody wants to face LeBron early in the playoffs.
If you look at the Los Angeles Clippers, they have a great defensive force in Kawhi Leonard. He’s nicknamed the Klaw because his hands are so huge! He won back to back defensive player of the year awards in 2015 and 2016.
The Clippers also have Paul George who led the league in steals last season, and has made several All-NBA defense teams. Not to mention Patrick Beverly is as tough as nails, and Montrezl Harrell is an animal on the glass.
The longer the Jazz can avoid meeting the lanky and physical Clippers in the playoffs, the better.
Odds to Win 2019-20 NBA Championship: Clippers Now Favored Over Lakers To Win Title https://t.co/Xh2cvjz6V0
— MyClippers 🏴☠️ (@MyClippers) September 9, 2019
So what is there to conclude from these predictions?
Well as always, the road to an NBA championship is never easy, and this year will be no different. The Western Conference is set to be a gauntlet, and it is inevitable the Jazz will have to face teams that are just as good as them. Also keep an eye out for lineups that could give the Jazz trouble, such as length and size.
Now that you have my official regular season predictions, stay tuned for how I think the Jazz will do in the playoffs. Remember this number for later: 55 wins.
All stats a courtesy of basketball-reference.com