2007-2008 NBA Predictions

By Rick Morris

ATLANTIC DIVISION
X-Boston 50-32
Y-Toronto 45-37
New York 40-42
New Jersey 39-43
Philadelphia 14-68

CENTRAL DIVISION
X-Cleveland 52-30
Y-Detroit 51-31
Y-Chicago 46-36
Milwaukee 27-55
Indiana 23-59

SOUTHEAST DIVISION
X-Miami 51-31
Y-Washington 50-32
Y-Orlando 44-38
Charlotte 39-43
Atlanta 37-45

NORTHWEST DIVISION
X-Utah 52-30
Y-Denver 43-39
Seattle 36-46
Portland 30-52
Minnesota 20-62

PACIFIC DIVISION
X-Phoenix 55-27
Y-Golden State 45-37
Y-Los Angeles Lakers 42-40
Los Angeles Clippers 37-45
Sacramento 28-54

SOUTHWEST DIVISION
X-Dallas 58-24
Y-San Antonio 54-28
Y-Houston 53-29
New Orleans 40-42
Memphis 28-54


FIRST ROUND OF PLAYOFFS
Cleveland over Orlando in 6
Toronto over Miami in 7
Chicago over Detroit in 6
Boston over Washington in 6
Dallas over Los Angeles Lakers in 4
Phoenix over Denver in 5
San Antonio over Golden State in 6
Utah over Houston in 7

SECOND ROUND OF PLAYOFFS
Boston over Cleveland in 6
Toronto over Chicago in 6
Dallas over Utah in 6
Phoenix over San Antonio in 7

CONFERENCE FINALS
Boston over Toronto in 6
Phoenix over Dallas in 7

NBA FINALS
Phoenix over Boston in 5

NBA MVP: Lebron James
Finals MVP: Amare Stoudemire
Coach of the Year: Rick Adelman


The most fascinating story of the year does not involve the Kobe trade rumors (a perennially overplayed drama), the struggle of the Cavs to take the next step without having upgraded in the offseason and without their two holdouts (a somewhat overblown concern considering that the team will improve from within with Daniel "Boobie" Gibson becoming their Ben Gordon), Dallas' quest for redemption (they'll be a great team just like they've been the past few years) or the Spurs' quest to finally repeat as champions (they won't). The unprecedented attempt by the Boston Celtics to "topload" their roster with three Hall of Famers and most of the rest of the roster being fit for the developmental league will seize center stage. It says here that their efforts will take them through the feeble Eastern Conference, thanks mainly to a draw that will cause them to avoid deep teams like Detroit and Chicago. Like most East teams in recent years, however, they will be exposed in the Finals as the Valley of the Sun hoists its first title in a reverse result of the classic Clash of '76.