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It seems like yesterday that Steph Curry won his first Finals MVP, and the Warriors captured yet another championship. Now, the upcoming NBA season is less than a month away. It’s a time when everyone is forming expectations about their favorite teams and players.
I want to offer you a few of my own bold predictions for the 2022-23 NBA season. Keep in mind that betting odds are now available for the eventual MVP winner and NBA champions. If you’re a basketball junkie, you’ve got a lot to be excited about right now.
Prediction #1 – The Cleveland Cavaliers Finish Third in the East
The Cleveland Cavaliers were good in 2021-22, but the team got a lot better during the off-season. After acquiring Donovan Micthell in a trade with the Utah Jazz, the Cavaliers now have a well-rounded roster.
Last season, Cleveland had a 31–20 record after 51 games, with rookie Evan Mobley having a huge impact on the team. Many experts and NBA expect something similar, but I think differently. The team’s defensive frontcourt is arguably the best in the NBA.
The truth is that the Cavaliers have a solid young core of talented players. Darius Garland should pair well with Donovan Mitchell, who’re both excellent shot creators. Furthermore, Collin Sexton should be fully healthy when the season begins.
The East is strong, but Cleveland’s potential is insane right now.
Prediction #2 – The Portland Trail Blazers Finish Fifth in the West
Everyone s sleeping on the Blazers right now because of an abysmal 27–55 finish in 2021-22. Star point guard Damian Lillard only appeared in 29 games and missed a lot of playing time due to injury.
This team is actually a lot better than you think. The Blazers re-signed Anfernee Simons to a long-term contract, keeping him in Portland for the foreseeable future. The young shooting guard showed a lot of promise last season, averaging 17.3 points per game.
Portland was a terrible team defensively in 2022-23. However, the additions of Jerami Grant and Gary Payton II should provide the Blazers with a huge boost. Payton II is arguably the best perimeter defender in the NBA when coming off the bench.
The oddsmakers are predicting that Portland will finish in 10th place in the West. Not enough people acknowledge this team right now, which has a good enough roster to exceed expectations. The Blazers are going to be sneaky good in 2022-23.
Prediction #3 – Keldon Johnson Wins the Most Improved Player Award
This award is often difficult to predict – every potential candidate is a long shot at winning it. However, Keldon Johnson appears to be a solid pick because he’s on the verge of a breakout season.
Johnson will likely assume a bigger role in the offense after the San Antonio Spurs parted ways with point guard Dejounte Murray. He did a lot of things really well last season and also showed that he’s efficient with a greater workload.
What makes me confident in Johnson is his playmaking abilities. He can score a ton of points, create opportunities for his teammates, and guard multiple positions. He also rarely turns the ball over. I expect Johnson to blossom into an outstanding, full-time basketball player.
Prediction #4 – The Memphis Grizzlies Miss the Playoffs
This is perhaps my boldest prediction for the 2022-23 NBA season – the Memphis Grizzlies will greatly underperform. Sure, Ja Morant is already an elite NBA player. However, the supporting cast around him is unproven in the NBA.
The roster is still pretty young, and several veteran players are no longer in Memphis. The team lost De’Anthony Melton and Kyle Anderson to free agency. These were two key rotation players who did a lot of different things for the team.
Let’s also not forget that the team’s best defensive player, Jaren Jackson Jr., will likely miss the first month of the season. It’s difficult to say that the Grizzlies are a contender right now, especially when the roster feels incomplete.
Ja Morant’s greatness also overshadows – and even disguises – the roster deficiencies in Memphis. The team doesn’t possess the same level of talent as last season, and 2022-23 feels like a year where the Grizzlies are exploring what they have.
Prediction #5 – Kyle Kuzma to Become an All-Star
Kyle Kuzma doesn’t get the recognition he deserves. Many argue that he’s never fully realized his potential. However, he was also a key contributor for a Lakers team that won the NBA championship only a few years ago.
In Washington last season, Kuzma had a breakout year. He averaged 8.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game, setting career highs in both categories. It’s also possible that Washington has bigger plans for him in 2022-23, which could help increase his averages.
Prediction #6 – Joel Embiid Wins the NBA MVP
Joel Embiid right now is a top-3 player who does everything right for the 76ers. 2021-22 was also arguably the best season of his career. He was the NBA scoring champion, earned All-NBA Second Team honors, and finished runner-up in the MVP voting.
Things were a little hectic last season for the 76ers, but Embiid was always incredible whenever he played. And with James Harden on board for the entire 2022-23 season, the team should be better than ever. The sky’s the limit right now for Embiid and Philadelphia.
This might not be the boldest of my predictions, but many people are writing the big man off because of his injury record.
Prediction #7 – The Suns Win an NBA Championship
It’s time that we stop underestimating the Phoenix Suns. This team has a mega-talented roster that’s built to win a championship. They’ve been a contender for a few seasons, and 2022-23 feels like the perfect opportunity to capture an NBA title.
After suffering a premature elimination from the 2021-22 postseason, the Suns were a laughing stock. But mark my words, this team is hungry to win a championship. This year will be a chance at redemption for the Phoenix Suns.
Conclusion
The best basketball betting sites allow you to earn some extra cash from your bold predictions for the 2022-23 season. I advise that you explore every opportunity to win real money. You can also bet on NBA futures, which include conference winners and regular season win totals.
If you want to follow up your own crazy predictions with a wager, you will most likely find excellent odds at the top basketball sportsbooks.
