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NBA predictions 2020-21: Our individual award winners and Finals picks

By Craig Cochran

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 22: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after receiving his 2020 NBA championship ring during a ceremony before the opening night game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on December 22, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 22: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after receiving his 2020 NBA championship ring during a ceremony before the opening night game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on December 22, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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NBA (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
NBA (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) /

Finals winner

Hoops Habit pick: Los Angeles Lakers

The prediction was nearly unanimous.

Raking in 83 percent of votes, the Los Angeles Lakers are our clear-cut favorites to win the NBA Championship next summer. Currently sitting at +270 odds to take home the Larry O’Brien trophy, it is no wonder why we at Hoops Habit are so high on their chances.

The Milwaukee Bucks were the only other team to receive votes.

My pick: Los Angeles Lakers

Last season the Lakers proved they could win an NBA title with two superstars leading a band of misfits. This season, following an offseason in which they replaced said misfits with Dennis Schroder, Montrezl Harrell, and Marc Gasol, the talent disparity becomes all the more daunting.

Related Story. Lakers starting lineup: Ranking their projected starting 5. light

The biggest question is whether or not Anthony Davis can stay healthy. If Davis remains on the floor, the Lakers’ chemistry come postseason play should be one of the league’s best. In this case, I don’t see many teams competing with Los Angeles in a seven-game series. With the NBA Finals being as slow and physical as they tend to be, the Lakers have all of the right pieces in place to grind out wins en route to their second consecutive NBA title.

Oh, and they have LeBron James. You know, that LeBron James; one of the two best players of all-time, top-ten in career assists, top-five in career scoring, four NBA championships, four MVPs…

Yeah, I’m going to put my money on him whenever I have the chance to.

Sleeper pick: Dallas Mavericks

Look, I am fully aware that my Luka Doncic obsession is unhealthy, but there is a solid case to be made for the Dallas Mavericks’ Finals odds (+2200).

Luka Doncic, as previously mentioned, may or may not be an alien created for the sole purpose of making grown men look like children within the confines of professional basketball arenas. If Luka makes the leaps I mentioned and has himself an even better season than his previous, Dallas will automatically become a better team. Not only this, but Mark Cuban and the Mavs’ front office made concentrated efforts to build up the supporting cast around Doncic this offseason.

By adding a strong three-and-D player in Josh Richardson (who comes from a team who could not figure out how to best utilize his skill set, might I add) and a promising back-up guard in rookie Tyrell Terry, the Mavericks didn’t just get deeper; they became exponentially more well-rounded. With potential trade chips like Tim Hardaway Jr., Dallas could also continue to upgrade their roster throughout the season, making for a potentially frightening team come the 2020-21 postseason.

The most important factor is whether or not Kristaps Porzingis can stay healthy, and if he does stay healthy, whether or not he can make subtle leaps in performance. If Porzingis plays in 80 percent of his games and has numbers reminiscent of those from his prime years as a member of the New York Knicks, the Mavericks will become a top-five NBA team at the drop of a hat.

They might not be able to stop a leaking faucet as far as the defensive side of the ball is concerned, but with an improved Porzingis, a more efficient Doncic, and more substantial contributions from their supporting cast, the Mavs make for an interesting bet at +2200.