2012-13 NBA Predictions: Flip a coin—maybe a couple times, but not too many

The last time that the NBA was discussed here, I was basically accepting the possibility that we could be looking at a few years of seeing a Heat-Thunder Finals. In the off-season, the Lakers ended up making some of the splashiest of moves, boasting an intimidating starting five that thus made them immediate title contenders. For the hometown Bulls, Kirk Hinrich will be back this season, so ... the early predictions I've seen are predominantly have Miami, Los Angeles or Oklahoma City winning it all.

I'm late posting my own predictions for the season mostly because it tipped off the same week I was supposed to be honeymooning. (Seeing some of the devastation Sandy left, I'm not going to elaborate too much about the intended New England visit being canceled, as obviously we're fortunate—especially considering how well the actual wedding went.)

James Harden was traded to Houston the same night I got married, more or less making the Lakers even more likely to be favorites to emerge in the West this June. Miami, meanwhile, simply went out and got even stronger, swiping Ray Allen from Boston without losing any of its own stars or role players. All of that said, we've got some Thank You notes to be writing to many people for said wedding, so without much commentary, here's my picks for how this NBA season will unfold:

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Atlantic

Boston Celtics

Philadelphia 76ers
  New York Knicks

Brooklyn Nets

Toronto Raptors

Central

Indiana Pacers

Chicago Bulls

Milwaukee Bucks

Cleveland Cavaliers

Detroit Pistons

 

Southeast
Miami Heat
 

Atlanta Hawks

Orlando Magic

Washington Wizards

Charlotte Bobcats

 

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Northwest

Denver Nuggets
  Oklahoma City Thunder
 

Minnesota Timberwolves

Utah Jazz
 

Portland Trailblazers

Southwest
San Antonio Spurs
 

Memphis Grizzlies
 
Dallas Mavericks
 
Houston Rockets

New Orleans Hornets

  Pacific
Los Angeles Lakers
 

Los Angeles Clippers

Golden State Warriors

Sacramento Kings

Phoenix Suns

  Opening Round Playoffs
#1 Heat over #8 Nets in 4 games

#2 Pacers over #7 Knicks in 5 games

#3 Celtics over #6 Sixers in 7 games

#4 Bulls over #5 Hawks in 6 games

#1 Nuggets over #8 Jazz in 5 games

#2 Spurs over #7 Timberwolves in 5 games

#3 Lakers over #6 Grizzlies in 6 games

#4 Thunder over #5 Clippers in 4 games


Conference Semifinals
#1 Heat over #4 Bulls in 6 games

#2 Pacers over #3 Celtics in 7 games

#4 Thunder over #1 Nuggets in 6 games

#3 Lakers over #2 Spurs in 6 games

Conference Finals
#1 Heat over #2 Pacers in 7 games

#3 Lakers over #4 Thunder in 7 games

NBA Finals

Miami Heat over Los Angeles Lakers in 6 games

In other words, the images used of the newest Lakers (taken from here and here) indeed remind me somewhat of the Payton and Malone signings (taken from here) because this season certainly feels a lot like that supposedly invincible juggernaut. While this incarnation of a Los Angeles supersquad won't be undone at the end by a lovable underdog, the hype and letdown should end up feeling pretty similar for many L.A. fans, I'm guessing (/hoping).