*If Ray Allen is healthy and LeBron James and Dwayne Wade do their thing, this team could make a push for the 1996 Bulls' record 72 win season.
2. Boston Celtics 53-29
*Jason Terry was a great pickup for the C's, when Avery Bradley comes back this team will be solid.
3. New York Knicks 50-32
*Made 2 food bets at work so they better get 50 wins and the 3rd seed. In seriousness, Raymond Felton is an established point guard who is pissed off after a terrible 2011-2012 campaign. Year 3 is the year Amar'e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony finally gel.
4. Indiana Pacers 49-33
*My darkhorse. Frank Vogel's team gave Miami a scare in the Conference Semifinals last year. George Hill is going to have a breakout season.
5. Philadelphia 76ers 47-35
*Could have the top frontcourt in the east if Andrew Bynum stays healthy. Doug Collins has his deepest Philly squad yet.
6. Brooklyn Nets 45-37
*The key for the Brooklyn Jay-Z's is the health of Brooke Lopez. A lot of money invested in the big man. If healthy, they will make a run for the Atlantic.
7. Chicago Bulls 44-38
*With Derrick Rose out for most of the season, Coach Tom Thibodeau could win his second coach of the year award if he guides his squad to the playoffs without their star.
8. Orlando Magic 41-41
*41 wins is the ceiling for new coach Jacque Vaughn's squad. I see them beating out the Hawks and Bucks for the final spot.
Western Conference
*If healthy, this team has no excuse to not win it all. If for any reason this team is playing mediocre, expect a coach with the last name Jackson to be back in Staples Center.
2. Oklahoma City Thunder 63-19
*The reigning Western Conference Champions improved over the offseason by trimming the fat of their older veterans and bringing back a healthy Eric Maynor.
3. San Antonio Spurs 56-26
*Until Gregg Popovich steps down, you can never count out the Spurs.
4. Denver Nuggets 52-30
*My dark-horse for the West. The Andre Iguodala trade could be the best acquisition not named Howard from this offseason.
5. Los Angeles Clippers 50-32
*I like the Lamar Odom and Jamal Crawford additions. Chauncey Billups coming back healthy will be crucial to their success.
6. Dallas Mavericks 48-34
*Dirk Nowitzki's health is questionable, but Mark Cuban acquired two key big men in Chris Kaman and Elton Brand that could help the veteran Mavericks excel. Interested to see how Darren Collison plays PG down in Big D.
7. Memphis Grizzlies 46-36
*I call them "the mini-Thunder." Love Zach Randolph's game. If they stay healthy, they can finish as high as the 3 seed.
7. Memphis Grizzlies 46-36
*I call them "the mini-Thunder." Love Zach Randolph's game. If they stay healthy, they can finish as high as the 3 seed.
8. Minnesota Timberwolves 45-37
*If the T-Wolves want to make the playoffs for the first time since the Cassell - Sprewell - Szczerbiak - Garnett - Olowakandi 2004 team, Brandon Roy needs to return from his one year hiatus and make an impact.
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