2011-12 NBA Regular Season And Playoff Predictions

After being near two months over do, the 2011-12 season will finally (in The Rock's voice) begin tomorrow on Christmas Day! Games slated start with Celtics at Knicks at 12 p.m. ET on TNT, followed by doubleheaders on ABC, beginning with the NBA Finals Rematch between the Heat at Mavericks, which will lead up to the Bulls at Lakers afterwards. To end the night, ESPN will air doubleheaders of the Magic at Thunder and the new-look Clippers, who face the Warriors. But with any season in any sport, predictions are going to be forefront before season's start. 

Eastern Conference Final Standings                 

1. Miami Heat 55-11                               
2. Chicago Bulls 53-13
3. New York Knicks 46-20
4. Boston Celtics 43-23
5. Orlando Magic 39-27
6. Atlanta Hawks 37-29
7. Philadelphia 76ers 35-31
8. Indiana Pacers 32-34
9. Milwaukee Bucks 30-36
10. Detroit Pistons  27-39
11. New Jersey Nets 24-42
12. Charlotte Bobcats 20-46
13. Washington Wizards 17-49
14. Cleveland Cavaliers  16-50
15. Toronto Raptors      10-56

Western Conference Final Standings

1. Oklahoma City Thunder 52-14
2. San Antonio Spurs 49-17
3. Los Angeles Lakers 47-19
4. Dallas Mavericks     44-22
5. Los Angeles Clippers 40-26
6. Portland TrailBlazers  38-28
7. Memphis Grizzlies     37-29
8. Denver Nuggets       35-31
9. New Orleans Hornets 33-33
10. Utah Jazz                    31-35
11. Golden State Warriors 29-37                 
12. Houston Rockets        27-39
13. Phoenix Suns            25-41
14. Minnesota Timberwolves 15-51
15. Sacramento Kings          12-54

Regular Season Awards

MVP: Kevin Durant

DPOY: Serge Ibaka

Most Improved: Gerald Henderson/Greg Monroe

Rookie of the Year: Kemba Walker

NBA Stat Leaders

Scoring: Kobe Bryant

Rebounding: Kevin Love

Assists: Chris Paul

Blocks: Serge Ibaka

Steals: Rajon Rondo

Playoff Predictions

East 1st Round                     Conference Semifinals        Conference Finals     

1Heat vs 8Pacers 4-0          1Heat vs 5Magic  4-2         1Heat vs 2Bulls 4-2

2Bulls vs 7Sixers 4-1           2Bulls vs 3Knicks  4-3

3Knicks vs 6Hawks 4-1

4Celtics vs 5Magic 4-2

West 1st Round                    Conference Semifinals           Conference Finals

1Thunder vs 8Nuggets 4-1    1Thunder vs 5Clippers 4-3    1Thunder vs 3Lakers 4-1

2Spurs vs 7Grizzlies  4-2       7Grizzlies vs 3Lakers  4-3

3Lakers vs 6Blazers 4-3

4Mavs vs 5Clippers 4-2

NBA Finals

Miami Heat vs Oklahoma City Thunder 

Heat Wins Series 4-2

I know, obvious pick to win the Larry O'Brien Trophy, but I always had the Heat winning in their second season. I originally had a conviction that the Lakers would be in the finals, but they've lost what little they have with their bench. As I aforementioned in the beginning, the season finally gets underway tomorrow. And in the words of Bart Scott, "Can't Wait!"

Note: I do NOT take credit for this photo.

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