It’s funny to think there may be more parity in the NBA this year when the reigning champion is the same team that has won four of the last eight titles. But the league has never felt more wide open than it has the last few seasons, and that should remain the case in 2022-23.
There might be five teams in each conference that you can confidently say will make the playoffs. After that there’s a jumble of about five or six teams per conference that will scrap for the final three spots.
For The Win sorted through all the mess to pick who will make and miss the playoffs (after the play-in tournament). Odds are from BetMGM.
1
Atlanta Hawks: Yes (-275), No (+220)
Prince- J. Grimes: Yes
I think Atlanta might have to get it done via play-in tournament again, but ultimately, I believe they grab one of the final playoff spots.
Charles: Yes
I think so, with Dejounte Murray on board.
Cole Huff: Yes
Where they land in the final standings is TBD. But yes, playoff team for sure.
2
Boston Celtics: Yes (-10000), No (+1600)
Prince: Yes
No matter the distractions, this team is simply too talented to miss the postseason.
Charles: Yes
Easy money.
Cole Huff: Yes
What Chuck said.
3
Brooklyn Nets: Yes (-3000), No (+1000)
Prince: Yes
If players are healthy (and available), Brooklyn should have a much easier time getting into the tournament this year.
Charles: Yes
Also fairly easy money … as long as things don’t completely implode by midseason.
Cole Huff: Yes
Let’s not fool ourselves. The Nets should comfortably land in the playoffs and even advance past the first round.
4
Charlotte Hornets: Yes (+200), No (-250)
Prince: No
Charlotte did nothing to improve a roster that missed the postseason last year.
Charles: No
I’m not seeing it for the Hornets this year.
Cole Huff: No
Team got worse AND LaMelo Ball will begin the season on the sideline.
5
Chicago Bulls: Yes (-200), No (+165)
Prince: No
This is a combination of the East being so deep and the odds we’re getting. I think Chicago will have a shot through the play-in tournament, but I lean no.
Charles: No
I’m with Prince. The problem is the East has SO many good teams.
Cole Huff: No
It’ll be the same playoff teams as last season out East, but substitute the Bulls for the Cavs.
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6
Cleveland Cavaliers: Yes (-275), No (+220)
Prince: Yes
The Cavs were one of the better teams all last season before injuries derailed their season. They’re even better now.
Charles: Yes
With Evan Mobley in Year 2 and Donovan Mitchell on board, they’re a definite playoff team.
Cole Huff: Yes
They were going to be a top-5 seed in the East last season if it weren’t for injuries. They’ve upgraded their roster, too.
7
Dallas Mavericks: Yes (-550), No (+400)
Prince: Yes
I think Dallas falls out of the top four this season, potentially into the play-in tournament. But Luka Doncic won’t allow them to miss the postseason completely.
Charles: Yes
Luka Doncic, your 2022-23 MVP.
Cole Huff: Yes
Yes to the Mavs making the playoffs. No to Luka Winning MVP.
8
Denver Nuggets: Yes (-750), No (+500)
Prince: Yes
They’ll make the playoffs, but dream bigger with the nuggets. Their title odds are the real prize.
Charles: Yes
No doubt.
Cole Huff: Yes
Might mess around and flirt with a franchise-high for wins in a season.
9
Detroit Pistons: Yes (+900), No (-1600)
Prince: No
Not yet, but Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey will have them in the playoffs in no time.
Charles: No
But soon!
Cole Huff: No
The East is too deep. The Pistons will have to pay their dues for a few more years.
10
Golden State Warriors: Yes (-5000), No (+1400)
Prince: Yes
Suddenly, there are questions about Golden State’s locker room dynamics. But this team would make the playoffs even if they all hated each other.
Charles: Yes
C’mon.
Cole Huff: Yes
I was looking for a joke to make but I don’t have one. Warriors (-5000) to make the playoffs is an easy call.
11
Houston Rockets: Yes (+2500), No (-10000)
Prince: No
But playoff teams shouldn’t underestimate them in the regular season.
Charles: No
At least they’ll be fun to watch some nights!
Cole Huff: No
Yeah, it seems like this team’s youth and athleticism will drive veteran teams crazy throughout the season. But, nah, no playoffs for Houston.
12
Indiana Pacers: Yes (+2500), No (-10000)
Prince: No
Indy won’t sniff the playoffs for a while.
Charles: No
I assume they’re going to be sellers throughout the season, too.
Cole Huff: No
I’m more interested in seeing if they finally trade Myles Turner.
13
Los Angeles Clippers: Yes (-2500), No (+1100)
Prince: Yes
At full health, the Clippers should return to the postseason and make a pretty good run at the title.
Charles: Yes
For sure.
Cole Huff: Yes
Finals appearance.
14
Los Angeles Lakers: Yes (-275), No (+210)
Prince: Yes
They gave us very little reason last season to believe they can be better, and yet I think the Lakers find a way to get into the playoffs.
Charles: No
Too old, not enough shooting, Russell Westbrook drama, questions about The Brow’s health … need I say more?
Cole Huff: Yes
But via the Play-In Tournament.
15
Memphis Grizzlies: Yes (-700), No (+475)
Prince: Yes
One of the best young cores in the NBA and will only get better.
Charles: Yes
Heck yes!
Cole Huff: Yes
No doubt about it.
16
Miami Heat: Yes (-1100), No (+650)
Prince: Yes
I think Miami needs to make a move, but as constructed, they’re still one of the East’s better teams.
Charles: Yes
Top four team!
Cole Huff: Yes
Yeah, they’ll make it. Probably like a four or five seed as currently constructed.
17
Milwaukee Bucks: Yes (-5000), No (+1400)
Prince: Yes
Giannis.
Charles: Yes
Inevitable.
Cole Huff: Yes
I’m so freakin’ excited to watch this team.
18
Minnesota Timberwolves: Yes (-300), No (+250)
Prince: Yes
I’m not ready to crown them a top-four seed, but they should get in again with the addition of Rudy Gobert.
Charles: Yes
For sure, the improvements mean they’ll make the postseason.
Cole Huff: Yes
Yep! But can they do it this time without the Play-In Tournament?
19
New Orleans Pelicans: Yes (-165), No (+135)
Prince: No
They’ll be even better than they were last year when they snuck in as the eighth seed and took two games from Phoenix. But only eight teams can get in, so I’ll roll with these odds on New Orleans missing the playoffs.
Charles: Yes
I say they’re going to make it as the No. 8 seed.
Cole Huff: Yes
I’m a lot higher on the Pels than the guys above me. Top-6 seed.
20
New York Knicks: Yes (+150), No (-185)
Prince: No
The Knicks have too many holes.
Charles: No
Sigh.
Cole Huff: No
Only eight spots available.
21
Oklahoma City Thunder: Yes (+2500), No (-10000)
Prince: No
The answer would be the same even if Chet Holmgren were healthy.
Charles: No
The rebuild continues.
Cole Huff: No.
They’ll somehow accumulate more draft picks, though.
22
Orlando Magic: Yes (+1300), No (-3000)
Prince: No
But they should take a step in the right direction towards contention.
Charles: No
They’re building something good!
Cole Huff: No
I guess it’ll be fun to watch Paolo figure things out.
23
Philadelphia 76ers: Yes (-1400), No (+750)
Prince: Yes
Anything less than a title would be a disappointment.
Charles: Yes
Yep.
Cole Huff: Yes
Best team of the Joel Embiid era.
24
Phoenix Suns: Yes (-2500), No (+1100)
Prince: Yes
Though I believe the window is closing on this core that includes Chris Paul. They need to make a run this year, or they may not get another shot.
Charles: Yes
They won’t be the No. 1 seed, though.
Cole Huff: Yes
The Suns won’t be as good as last year, but they’ll certainly be a playoff team.
25
Portland Trail Blazers: Yes (+170), No (-200)
Prince: No
I could see Portland grabbing the final play-in tournament spot, but they won’t go much further than that.
Charles: No
Ugh, sorry, Dame.
Cole Huff: No
Don’t see it happening.
26
Sacramento Kings: Yes (+450), No (-650)
Prince: No
They’ll probably compete with a team like Portland for that final play-in spot.
Charles: No
Sorry, Kings fans.
Cole Huff: No
Play-In team????
27
San Antonio Spurs: Yes (+2500), No (-10000)
Prince: No
Fade the Spurs.
Charles: No
Listen to Coach Pop. They’re going to be bad.
Cole Huff: No
VICTOR WEMBANYAMA
28
Toronto Raptors: Yes (-250), No (+185)
Prince: Yes
I think Toronto falls back a couple spots from the fifth seed of a year ago. But even if it’s through the play-in, the Raptors get into the playoffs.
Charles: Yes
And they’ll be so fun to watch.
Cole Huff: Yes
The North is back.
29
Utah Jazz: Yes (+2000), No (-10000)
Prince: No
LOL.
Charles: No
Nope.
Cole Huff: No
Crying at Prince’s response.
30
Washington Wizards: Yes (+375), No (-500)
Prince: No
Washington should be a play-in team this year at the very least, but they’re still a trade away from real playoff contention.
Charles: No
Yup, a play-in team at best.
Cole Huff: No
I considered it for all of 10 seconds. But, no.
