2. The Golden State Warriors win 73 games, go 16-0 in the playoffs
“The Golden State Warriors will win the 2018 NBA Finals” is not a bold prediction. “The Golden State Warriors will win at least 73 games and go undefeated in the playoffs,” however, is exactly what we’re here for.
That might sound crazy on paper. Quite a few Warriors players said their quest for 73 wins in 2015-16 was a distraction, and it may have contributed to their legendary 3-1 collapse in the NBA Finals that cost them a title.
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But the Dubs also won 67 games last season, and that was with Kevin Durant missing 20 games. They went 16-1 in the postseason as well, with a Game 4 road loss in an elimination game for the Cleveland Cavaliers serving as their only defeat.
Not only will Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and KD be even better together now that they’re fully acclimated, but the Dubs brought nearly every key free agent back and also added spot-up shooters in Nick Young and Omri Casspi. The bench is as good as ever and the Warriors look ready to establish a new NBA dynasty.
The Rockets, Thunder, Timberwolves and nearly every other Western Conference playoff team got better over the summer. But they’re all still playing for second, and a Cavs team giving heavy minutes to an aging Dwyane Wade, Derrick Rose and Isaiah Thomas doesn’t stand a chance of staying on the floor with Golden State on the defensive end.