2012-2013 NBA Season Predictions

With the NBA season about to tip off, writers Scoop Moore, Shawn Quigley and Ryan Tartaglia weigh in on who will take home the Larry O'Brien Trophy and other valuable hardware along the way for the 2012-2013 NBA season.

Eastern Conference Divisional Champions

Atlantic Division

Boston Celtics

Brooklyn Nets

Philadelphia 76ers

New York Knicks

Toronto Raptors

Scoop Moore: Boston Celtics – Boston won’t dominate the division like they have in the past. Every team in the Atlantic has improved during the off-season. The Celtics get the edge because of their veteran leadership and experience.

Shawn Quigley: Boston Celtics – The Celtics have strengthened a team that won this division last year. Their run of five consecutive Atlantic crowns will not end in 2013.

Ryan Tartaglia: Boston Celtics – Two major moves took place for this division, Andrew Bynum to Philadelphia and the Nets moving to Brooklyn. Neither will be enough to stop the Celtics from winning their sixth consecutive division title.

Central Division

Chicago Bulls

Cleveland Cavaliers

Detroit Pistons

Indiana Pacers

Milwaukee Bucks

SM: Indiana Pacers – Indiana proved last season that they are a top four team in the East. The Bulls will be without Derrick Rose for the majority of the season. Expect the Pacers to seize the opportunity and come out on top in the Central.

SQ: Indiana Pacers – With a healthy Derrick Rose the Bulls take this division, but with his return uncertain, the Pacers will win the central. Roy Hibbert, David West, and Danny Granger make a formidable front court and this team will be looking to make some noise in the playoffs.

RT: Indiana Pacers – Not by choice, but by default. The sooner Derrick Rose comes back, the better this division gets.

Southeast Division

Atlanta Hawks

Charlotte Bobcats

Orlando Magic

Miami Heat

Washington Wizards

SM: Miami Heat – The defending Champs have the honor to play in arguably the weakest division in the league. No team in the division holds a threat to the Heat.

SQ: Miami Heat – They are the reigning champs with the league and finals MVP leading the way. With the additions of Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis, this team will win the division easily.

RT: Miami Heat – In a division that features the Bobcats, Hawks, Wizards and Magic, it’s safe to say that the Heat have already wrapped up the division.

Eastern Conference Playoff Teams

SM: 1. Miami Heat, 2. Boston Celtics, 3. Indiana Pacers, 4. Philadelphia 76ers, 5. New York Knicks, 6. Brooklyn Nets, 7. Chicago Bulls, 8. Atlanta Hawks

SQ: 1. Miami Heat, 2. Boston Celtics, 3. Indiana Pacers, 4. Philadelphia 76ers, 5. New York Knicks, 6. Chicago Bulls, 7. Brooklyn Nets, 8. Atlanta Hawks

RT: 1. Miami Heat, 2. Boston Celtics, 3. Brooklyn Nets, 4. Indiana Pacers, 5. Atlanta Hawks, 6. Philadelphia 76ers, 7. New York Knicks, 8. Chicago Bulls

Western Conference Division Champions

Northwest Division

Denver Nuggets

Minnesota Timberwolves

Oklahoma City Thunder

Portland Trail Blazers 

Utah Jazz

SM: Oklahoma City Thunder – It won’t be easy for the defending Western Conference Champs the Nuggets, Timberwolves and Jazz are rising, but OKC still holds the advantage in the rugged northwest.

SQ: Oklahoma City Thunder – Despite the recent trade that shook up the Thunder’s young core and sent James Harden to the Houston Rockets, the Thunder should take this division. They still have Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.

RT: Oklahoma City Thunder – Even after losing James Harden, this team has too much talent not to win this division.

Pacific Division

Golden State Warriors

Los Angeles Clippers

Los Angeles Lakers

Phoenix Suns

Sacramento Kings

SM: Los Angeles Clippers – When it’s all said and done I say the Clippers will overtake the Lakers to win there first ever division crown. The Clips are younger, faster and deeper. Expect them to also be the better team at the Staples Center as well during the regular season.

SQ: Los Angeles Lakers – This team won the division last year and has added Steve Nash and Dwight Howard. The starting lineup has a combined 33 all-star appearances between them and will be the Pacific division champs.

RT: Los Angeles Lakers – Kobe. Dwight. Pau. Nash. Lakerland hasn’t been this star-studded since Malone and Payton were on the team in 2004.