NBA Predictions and Reactions: Hoops Habit’s First Quarter NBA Survey

NBA Predictions and Reactions: What’s your NBA Finals prediction?

Shearer: Suns-Bucks. As I mentioned earlier, I am worried that people are expecting way too much from Klay Thompson and James Wiseman’s return to the Warriors. Those additions have as much of a chance of hurting the Warriors as helping them, given Thompson’s incredibly lengthy layoff and Wiseman’s rookie struggles. The Suns have the continuity advantage and no real weaknesses. I still think the Nets are a major threat, and people are sleeping on Utah, but right now the Suns and Bucks have the edge.

Jeter: Bucks vs. Warriors. It’s still too early for this, but it looks like Milwaukee is starting to reassert themselves in the East. Of course, it always helps to have the best two-way player in the league on your team, but overall, the Bucks have looked like the best team in the conference, as most expected. In the West, the Warriors appear to be back, and aside from the Suns, it’s difficult to envision any team beating them in a seven-game series.

Rausch: Golden State Warriors and Milwaukee Bucks. Despite losing to the Phoenix Suns in their meeting this week, the Warriors have been the most dominant team in the league this year, and with the presumptive MVP leading them, another Finals run is in the cards. The Bucks may not be the flashiest team in the Eastern Conference, but with a new variant of COVID-19 pushing off any sort of Kyrie Irving return, it is hard to pick against the defending champions.

Harris: While this Finals matchup very well may not end up happening, especially this season, the matchup that I want to see is the Los Angeles Lakers vs the Brooklyn Nets. On paper, if the Lakers can keep up with the elite offense of the Nets, it could be one of the most electric NBA Finals we have seen since 2016.

Marcus: Right now I am going with the Nets and the Warriors. A lot can change between now and then, but that’s the safest bet as of now. Although the Warriors need to be very fearful of the Suns. If it is the Nets and Warriors in the Finals, then you can bet the ratings will be through the roof.

O’Keefe: With Kyrie Irving and Ben Simmons (or any potential replacement) still unknowns, it’s hard to see Brooklyn, Philadelphia, or any other team surpassing the Bucks in the East. As for the West, no team screams Finals contender outside the Suns and Warriors at this point. Despite their loss to Phoenix on Tuesday, and an obvious weakness on the interior, I think Golden State can emerge from the West, should Thompson surge to 80-90% of his prime come playoff time.

Simone: Based on what we’ve seen so far, I’m picking the Warriors to come out of the West and the Bucks to come out of the East. The Nets and Suns are great, but those are my picks. The Bucks, when fully healthy, have been an unstoppable force, and Stephen Curry just looks amazing. Plus, when Klay Thompson returns, it could add a whole new element to the Warriors’ game.