Experts’ Finals predictions: Does the title road go through Staples Center?
When the dust settled on a summer of free agency and trade mayhem, the league was left with a host of teams capable of winning the title in June. The breakup of the Golden State Warriors dynasty has opened the path to the Finals for revamped franchises such as the LA Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Houston Rockets and Utah Jazz.
In the East, Kawhi Leonard‘s West Coast move has teams like the Milwaukee Bucks, Philadelphia 76ers, Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets charting out a Finals course.
Which teams will take advantage?
Ahead of the 2019-20 season, our ESPN NBA experts are making their picks for Eastern Conference, Western Conference and Finals champions.
More: MVP, top rookie and more picks | Lowe’s wild predictions | Preview ’19
Malika Andrews: Clippers over Lakers
Jerry Bembry: Clippers over Lakers
Nick Friedell: Clippers over Jazz
Kirk Goldsberry: Warriors over Clippers
Israel Gutierrez: Clippers over Rockets
Andrew Han: Clippers over Jazz
Chris Herring: Clippers over Jazz
Andrew Lopez: Clippers over Rockets
Tim MacMahon: Clippers over Rockets
Jackie MacMullan: Clippers over Nuggets
Bobby Marks: Nuggets over Clippers
Dave McMenamin: Clippers over Lakers
Kevin Pelton: Clippers over Lakers
Jorge Sedano: Lakers over Clippers
Ramona Shelburne: Lakers over Clippers
André Snellings: Rockets over Lakers
Marc Spears: Clippers over Lakers
Eric Woodyard: Clippers over Jazz
Royce Young: Clippers over Jazz
Ohm Youngmisuk: Lakers over Clippers
Final tally (West champs): LA Clippers (14 votes), Los Angeles Lakers (3), Denver Nuggets (1), Golden State Warriors (1), Houston Rockets (1)
Malika Andrews: Bucks over 76ers
Jerry Bembry: 76ers over Bucks
Nick Friedell: 76ers over Bucks
Kirk Goldsberry: Bucks over 76ers
Israel Gutierrez: Bucks over 76ers
Andrew Han: 76ers over Bucks
Chris Herring: Bucks over 76ers
Andrew Lopez: Bucks over 76ers
Tim MacMahon: Bucks over 76ers
Jackie MacMullan: 76ers over Bucks
Bobby Marks: Bucks over 76ers
Dave McMenamin: 76ers over Bucks
Kevin Pelton: Bucks over 76ers
Jorge Sedano: 76ers over Bucks
Ramona Shelburne: 76ers over Bucks
André Snellings: Bucks over 76ers
Marc Spears: 76ers over Raptors
Eric Woodyard: Bucks over 76ers
Royce Young: 76ers over Bucks
Ohm Youngmisuk: Bucks over 76ers
Final tally (East champs): Milwaukee Bucks (11 votes), Philadelphia 76ers (9)
Malika Andrews: Clippers over Bucks
Jerry Bembry: Clippers over 76ers
Nick Friedell: Clippers over 76ers
Kirk Goldsberry: Bucks over Warriors
Israel Gutierrez: Clippers over Bucks
Andrew Han: Clippers over 76ers
Chris Herring: Clippers over Bucks
Andrew Lopez: Clippers over Bucks
Tim MacMahon: Clippers over Bucks
Jackie MacMullan: Clippers over 76ers
Bobby Marks: Nuggets over Bucks
Dave McMenamin: 76ers over Clippers
Kevin Pelton: Clippers over Bucks
Jorge Sedano: Lakers over 76ers
Ramona Shelburne: Lakers over 76ers
André Snellings: Bucks over Rockets
Marc Spears: Clippers over 76ers
Eric Woodyard: Clippers over Bucks
Royce Young: Clippers over 76ers
Ohm Youngmisuk: Lakers over Bucks
Final tally (NBA champs): LA Clippers (13 votes), Los Angeles Lakers (3), Milwaukee Bucks (2), Denver Nuggets (1), Philadelphia 76ers (1)