While we have officially passed the hallway point in the NBA season, the All-Star Game is still viewed by many as the end of the first half. The big game goes this weekend in New Orleans, which means it’s time to start looking ahead at the second half of the season and how things might play out once we get to the playoffs. With so many games still to come in the second half, there are a lot of things that could happen which would change the fortunes of some of the teams in the hunt, but I’m going to try and break down each conference to see how things will play out on the road to the NBA Finals. I’ll make some NBA betting predictions along the way, and hopefully won’t be too far off with what I put out there.
The Boston Celtics have been in the second spot for a few weeks now, taking over from a Toronto Raptors team that has taken a bit of a step back after a solid start. The biggest threat to the Celtics right now appears to be the Washington Wizards, who have suddenly come to life in recent weeks. This will likely be the top 3 in the East, and I think the Atlanta Hawks will sneak into the #4 seed. Since it has been the Cavs and the Celtics who have been the most consistent this season, look for to view for the conference title, with the Cavaliers once again going to the final.
Sitting behind them, you have the Spurs, Rockets, and Clippers, all of whom have the ability to make some noise once the playoffs roll around. Houston in particular have turned things around, and will be a team worth keeping an eye on in the second half. There is also the possibility of a dark horse emerging, as the Oklahoa City Thunder, currently in 7th, could be a threat to one or two of the big boys. That said, I don’t think there is any team that can beat the Warriors in a 7-game series, which would means that they and the Cavs meet up once again in the Finals.
A Closer Look At The Mid-Season Betting Predictions For 2017 NBA Championship
Eastern Conference Predictions
The Cleveland Cavaliers are once again setting the pace in the East, and are once again having questions asked of them at the midway point of the season. This is a team that is following a very similar script to last year, winning at home, playing mediocre ball on the road, and generally seeming bored on many nights. That they always seem to be able to get up for the big games is what makes everyone believe that they will finish at the top of the conference once again.The Boston Celtics have been in the second spot for a few weeks now, taking over from a Toronto Raptors team that has taken a bit of a step back after a solid start. The biggest threat to the Celtics right now appears to be the Washington Wizards, who have suddenly come to life in recent weeks. This will likely be the top 3 in the East, and I think the Atlanta Hawks will sneak into the #4 seed. Since it has been the Cavs and the Celtics who have been the most consistent this season, look for to view for the conference title, with the Cavaliers once again going to the final.
Western Conference Predictions
Things are a little tougher to predict in the West, as there are 3 or 4 teams who could easily stake a claim to the conference crown. I think it’s fair to say that the Golden State Warriors are going to be the top seed once again, as it’s tough to imagine anyone going on a run good enough to run them down. The fact of the matter is that the Dubs simply don’t lose enough games for that to happen.Sitting behind them, you have the Spurs, Rockets, and Clippers, all of whom have the ability to make some noise once the playoffs roll around. Houston in particular have turned things around, and will be a team worth keeping an eye on in the second half. There is also the possibility of a dark horse emerging, as the Oklahoa City Thunder, currently in 7th, could be a threat to one or two of the big boys. That said, I don’t think there is any team that can beat the Warriors in a 7-game series, which would means that they and the Cavs meet up once again in the Finals.
