NBA preseason predictions: Our experts’ picks for 2019-20
The 2019-20 edition of ESPN’s NBA summer forecast is here.
Which will be the best and worst teams this season? Which superstar players will win the major awards? What surprises are on the way?
We polled ESPN’s panel of basketball experts for their predictions heading into the season. Over the next week, we’ll roll out the results right here.
First up: predicted standings and records for all 30 teams, along with the most overrated and underrated teams.
Plus, vote on tomorrow’s topic: most likely title teams.
The Bucks and Sixers are the clear leaders in the East, and they came out with the top projections in either conference.
Will a third team break out as a contender to crash the NBA Finals? And can an up-and-coming team such as the Bulls or Hawks break into the playoff picture?
1. Milwaukee Bucks: 57-25
2. Philadelphia 76ers: 55-27
3. Boston Celtics: 48-34
4. Indiana Pacers: 46-36
5. Brooklyn Nets: 45-37
6. Toronto Raptors: 45-37
7. Miami Heat: 43-39
8. Orlando Magic: 41-41
9. Detroit Pistons: 38-44
10. Atlanta Hawks: 34-48
11. Chicago Bulls: 32-50
12. Washington Wizards: 28-54
13. New York Knicks: 26-56
14. Charlotte Hornets: 23-59
15. Cleveland Cavaliers: 22-60
MORE: 5-on-5: The most overrated and underrated NBA teams
Teams with the same projected record had ties broken before rounding.
Continuity wins in the West, as the Nuggets retained their core while adding a nice piece in Jerami Grant, though they held off the Clippers by only a fraction of a win. Then it’s a tight playoff race all the way down to Sacramento at No. 12. Even if teams take time working in new additions, the Western Conference will be loaded.
1. Denver Nuggets: 54-28
2. LA Clippers: 54-28
3. Houston Rockets: 53-29
4. Utah Jazz: 52-30
5. Los Angeles Lakers: 51-31
6. Golden State Warriors: 49-33
7. Portland Trail Blazers: 47-35
8. San Antonio Spurs: 43-39
9. Dallas Mavericks: 41-41
10. New Orleans Pelicans: 40-42
11. Minnesota Timberwolves: 38-44
12. Sacramento Kings: 37-45
13. Oklahoma City Thunder: 33-49
14. Phoenix Suns: 28-54
15. Memphis Grizzlies: 27-55
MORE: Projected records, standings for every NBA team 
Teams with the same projected record had ties broken before rounding.
Our experts have made their picks. Now it’s your turn to weigh in before tomorrow’s reveal: Which team has the best chance to win the 2020 NBA title?
Image credits: David Zalubowski/AP Photo; Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images; AP Photo/Matt Slocum