My predictions:
East:
1) Bucks
2) 76ers
3) Celtics
4) Pacers
5) Heat
6) Raptors
7) Pistons
8) Bulls
West:
1) Clippers
2) Nuggets
3) Jazz
4) Rockets
5) Trail Blazers
6) Warriors
7) Lakers
8) Mavericks
#7. There were only a handful of predictions from anyone over the summer.
Looking back on my prediction a month into the season:
East:
Feeling good about my Heat call.
Not sure on 76ers. They have good players, but don't really fit with one another.
#7 and #8 don't matter.
I liked the Celtics as soon as they got Kemba. They should challenge the Bucks if they can stay close until Hayward returns.
West:
I am glad I bailed on the Spurs with my final prediction. Derozan got old overnight.
Trail Blazers really miss Nurkic and Kanter.
I knew there was a chance the Mavericks could be good. Doncic and Porzingis need a little more help if the Mavericks want to finish higher than 6th.
Warriors lost their best player for almost the whole season. Any team is toast if that happens.
I will admit I might have gotten Minnesota wrong. Wiggins doesn't suck anymore.
I still like the Clippers, Nuggets, Rockets and Jazz more than the Lakers over the course of the season.