2012 NBA Predictions

Here you go NBA fans, you're receiving the best Christmas present you could ask for - actual NBA games that count. The NBA will get its season started on Christmas day with some very intriguing matchups. Every team that will likely factor into who hoists the Larry O'Brien Trophy at the end of the year will be playing. The Mavs, Heat, Bulls, Lakers, Thunder, Cletics, Knicks, and the Clippers all play on Christmas. And yes I mentioned the Cliipers as a team that could make a push for a title. The season will be condensed to 66 games in just 120 days. Below is a look at how I expect the year to unfold. Everyone seems to have Miami winning it all, but not me. I think Derrick Rose is going to be on a mission. He should have some help at SG with the addition of Rip Hamilton, and they will be just as tenacious on D. The Bulls will return to their glory days with a Finals victory over the up and coming Oklahoma City Thunder.

Atlantic
1. Boston 43-23
2. New York 40-26
3. Philadelphia 35-31
4. New Jersey 22-44
5. Toronto 15-51

Southeast
1. Miami 51-15
2. Orlando 41-25
3. Atlanta 37-29
4. Washington 27-39
5. Charlotte 19-47

Central
1. Chicago 47-19
2. Indiana 33-33
3. Milwaukee 30-36
4. Detroit 22-44
5. Cleveland 18-48

Southwest
1. Dallas 44-22
2. Memphis 43-23
3. San Antonio 38-28
4. Houston 28-38
5. New Orleans 24-42

Northwest
1. Oklahoma City 46-20
2. Portland 36-30
3. Denver 34-32
4. Utah 26-40
5. Minnesota 17-49

Pacific
1. LA Lakers 47-19
2. LA Clippers 44-22
3. Golden State 32-34
4. Phoenix 30-36
5. Sacramento 21-45

Eastern Conference Quarterfinals
1 Miami over 8 Indiana 4-1
5 New York over 4 Orlando 4-3
3 Boston over 6 Atlanta 4-2
2 Chicago over 7 Philadelphia 4-1

Western Conference Quarterfinals
1 LA Lakers over 8 Denver 4-2
4 Dallas over 5 Memphis 4-2
6 San Antonio over 3 LA Clippers 4-3
2 Oklahoma City over 7 Portland 4-1

Eastern Conference Semifinals
1 Miami over 5 New York 4-1
2 Chicago over 3 Boston 4-1

Western Conference Semifinals
4 Dallas over 1 LA Lakers 4-2
2 Oklahoma City over 6 San Antonio 4-1

Eastern Conference Finals
2 Chicago over 1 Miami 4-3

Western Conference Finals
2 Oklahoma City over 4 Dallas 4-2

NBA Finals
2 Chicago over 2 Oklahoma City 4-2

Finals MVP - Derrick Rose
NBA MVP - Kevin Durant
Defensive POY - Dwight Howard
Rookie of the Year - Kemba Walker
Coach of the Year - Vinny Del Negro
6th Man of the Year - James Harden