2008 NBA Predictions Version I

By Rick Morris

NOTE: Last year’s records are in parentheses.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

ATLANTIC DIVISION

X-Boston 58-24 (66-16)

Y-Philadelphia 51-31 (40-42)

Y-Toronto 43-39 (41-41)

New Jersey 34-48 (34-48)

New York 28-54 (23-59)

CENTRAL DIVISION

X-Detroit 54-28 (59-23)

Y-Cleveland 50-32 (45-37)

Chicago 34-48 (33-49)

Milwaukee 34-48 (26-56)

Indiana 27-55 (36-46)

SOUTHEAST DIVISION

X-Orlando 55-27 (52-30)

Y-Atlanta 40-42 (37-45)

Y-Washington 39-43 (43-39)

Charlotte 36-46 (32-50)

Miami 27-55 (15-67)

WESTERN CONFERENCE
SOUTHWEST DIVISION

X-New Orleans 58-24 (56-26)

Y-San Antonio 52-30 (56-26)

Y-Houston 50-32 (55-27)

Y-Dallas 44-38 (51-31)

Memphis 26-56 (22-60)

NORTHWEST DIVISION

X-Utah 56-26 (54-28)

Y-Portland 49-33 (41-41)

Denver 35-47 (50-32)

Minnesota 32-50 (22-60)

Oklahoma City 26-56 (20-62)

PACIFIC DIVISION

X-LA Lakers 60-22 (57-25)

Y-Phoenix 51-31 (55-27)

Golden State 42-40 (48-34)

LA Clippers 26-56 (23-59)

Sacramento 23-59 (3844)

PLAYOFF FIRST ROUND

Boston over Washington in 4

Orlando over Atlanta in 5

Detroit over Toronto in 7

Cleveland over Philadelphia in 6

LA Lakers over Dallas in 5

New Orleans over Portland in 7

Utah over Houston in 6

San Antonio over Phoenix in 6

PLAYOFF SECOND ROUND

Cleveland over Boston in 7

Orlando over Detroit in 7

LA Lakers over San Antonio in 6

New Orleans over Utah in 7

CONFERENCE FINALS

Cleveland over Orlando in 6

LA Lakers over New Orleans in 6

NBA FINALS

LA Lakers over Cleveland in 5

MVP: Chris Paul

Rookie of the Year: Greg Oden

Coach of the Year: Nate McMillan

STRENGTH OF DIVISIONS BY COLLECTIVE RECORD

Southwest: 15 games over .500 (35 games over .500 last year)

Atlantic: 5 games over .500 (1 game under .500 last year)

Pacific: 3 games under .500 (16 games over .500 last year)

Central: 6 games under .500 (6 games under .500 last year)

Northwest: 7 games under .500 (18 games under .500 last year)

Southeast: 8 games under .500 (26 games under .500 last year)