Welcome to theScore's preview of the 2015-16 NBA season. Visit our season preview hub for compreh...

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Joseph Casciaro

Senior NBA Writer

<p><em>Welcome to theScore's preview of the 2015-16 NBA season. Visit our <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/831636" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/831636">season preview hub</a> for comprehensive coverage of all 30 teams.</em></p><p>With just hours to go until regular season basketball returns, theScore's NBA editors forecast how the 2015-16 campaign will play out.</p><h2>Division Winners</h2><figure><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Editor</th>
<th>Northwest</th>
<th>Pacific</th>
<th>Southwest</th>
<th>Atlantic</th>
<th>Central</th>
<th>Southeast</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://www.thescore.com/author/joseph-casciaro">Joseph Casciaro</a></td>
<td>Thunder</td>
<td>Warriors</td>
<td>Spurs</td>
<td>Raptors</td>
<td>Cavaliers</td>
<td>Hawks</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://www.thescore.com/author/john-chick">John Chick</a></td>
<td>Thunder</td>
<td>Clippers</td>
<td>Spurs</td>
<td>Raptors</td>
<td>Cavaliers</td>
<td>Heat</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://www.thescore.com/author/william-lou">William Lou</a></td>
<td>Thunder</td>
<td>Warriors</td>
<td>Rockets</td>
<td>Raptors</td>
<td>Bulls</td>
<td>Hawks</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://www.thescore.com/author/sam-morsy">Sam Morsy</a></td>
<td>Thunder</td>
<td>Warriors</td>
<td>Spurs</td>
<td>Raptors</td>
<td>Cavaliers</td>
<td>Heat</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://www.thescore.com/author/chris-walder">Chris Walder</a></td>
<td>Thunder</td>
<td>Warriors</td>
<td>Spurs</td>
<td>Raptors</td>
<td>Bulls</td>
<td>Hawks</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://www.thescore.com/author/joe-wolfond">Joe Wolfond</a></td>
<td>Thunder</td>
<td>Warriors</td>
<td>Rockets</td>
<td>Raptors</td>
<td>Cavaliers</td>
<td>Heat</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><h2>Playoff results</h2><figure><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Editor</th>
<th>West Final</th>
<th>East Final</th>
<th>NBA Finals</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://www.thescore.com/author/joseph-casciaro">Joseph Casciaro</a></td>
<td>Spurs over Clippers</td>
<td>Cavaliers over Bulls</td>
<td>Cavs over Spurs</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://www.thescore.com/author/john-chick">John Chick</a></td>
<td>Spurs over Warriors</td>
<td>Cavaliers over Heat</td>
<td>Cavs over Spurs</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://www.thescore.com/author/william-lou">William Lou</a></td>
<td>Warriors over Clippers</td>
<td>Cavaliers over Wizards</td>
<td>Warriors over Cavs</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://www.thescore.com/author/sam-morsy">Sam Morsy</a></td>
<td>Clippers over Warriors</td>
<td>Cavaliers over Heat</td>
<td>Clippers over Cavs</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://www.thescore.com/author/chris-walder">Chris Walder</a></td>
<td>Thunder over Warriors</td>
<td>Cavaliers over Bulls</td>
<td>Cavs over Thunder</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://www.thescore.com/author/joe-wolfond">Joe Wolfond</a></td>
<td>Spurs over Thunder</td>
<td>Cavaliers over Bulls</td>
<td>Spurs over Cavs</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><figure><iframe src="https://renderer.qmerce.com/interaction/562fce48bece044e1463eb82" width="100%" height="512" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></figure><h2>Award winners</h2><figure><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Editor</th>
<th>MVP</th>
<th>Rookie of the Year</th>
<th>Defensive Player</th>
<th>6th Man</th>
<th>Most Improved</th>
<th>Coach</th>
<th>Executive</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://www.thescore.com/author/joseph-casciaro">Joseph Casciaro</a></td>
<td>Kevin Durant</td>
<td>Karl-Anthony Towns</td>
<td>Draymond Green</td>
<td>Isaiah Thomas</td>
<td>Giannis Antetokounmpo</td>
<td>Billy Donovan</td>
<td>RC Buford</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://www.thescore.com/author/john-chick">John Chick</a></td>
<td>Kevin Durant</td>
<td>Jahlil Okafor</td>
<td>Anthony Davis</td>
<td>Isaiah Thomas</td>
<td>Aaron Gordon</td>
<td>Billy Donovan</td>
<td>Sam Presti</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://www.thescore.com/author/william-lou">William Lou</a></td>
<td>Kevin Durant</td>
<td>Jahlil Okafor</td>
<td>Draymond Green</td>
<td>Isaiah Thomas</td>
<td>CJ McCollum</td>
<td>Steve Kerr</td>
<td>RC Buford</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://www.thescore.com/author/sam-morsy">Sam Morsy</a></td>
<td>Anthony Davis</td>
<td>Jahlil Okafor</td>
<td>DeAndre Jordan</td>
<td>Isaiah Thomas</td>
<td>Otto Porter Jr.</td>
<td>Brad Stevens</td>
<td>Masai Ujiri</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://www.thescore.com/author/chris-walder">Chris Walder</a></td>
<td>Kevin Durant</td>
<td>Emmanuel Mudiay</td>
<td>Rudy Gobert</td>
<td>Isaiah Thomas</td>
<td>Bradley Beal</td>
<td>Billy Donovan</td>
<td>RC Buford</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://www.thescore.com/author/joe-wolfond">Joe Wolfond</a></td>
<td>James Harden</td>
<td>Karl-Anthony Towns</td>
<td>Rudy Gobert</td>
<td>Cory Joseph</td>
<td>Giannis Antetokounmpo</td>
<td>Brad Stevens</td>
<td>Daryl Morey</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure>

NBA Basketball

What to watch for: The top 7 storylines of 2015-16  2015-16 predictions: Forecasting champions an...

<p><strong>What to watch for: </strong><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/861498" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/861498">The top 7 storylines of 2015-16</a></p><p><strong>2015-16 predictions</strong>: <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/832716" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/832716">Forecasting champions and award winners</a></p><p><strong>The Pick and Pop roundtable</strong>: <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/833882" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/833882">Which players will break out and regress?</a></p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p><strong>The Pick and Pop roundtable</strong>: <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/833883" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/833883">Which teams will surprise and disappoint?</a></p><p><strong>Preseason power rankings</strong>: <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/862358" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/862358">Warriors on top, Pelicans plummet</a></p><p><strong>Player Rankings</strong>: <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/858311" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/858311">Nos. 35-20</a></p><p><strong>Player Rankings</strong>: <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/833884" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/833884">Nos. 20-11</a></p><p><strong>Player Rankings</strong>: <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/833885" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/833885">Nos. 10-6</a></p><p><strong>Player Rankings</strong>: <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/832715" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/832715">The top 5</a></p><p><strong>2015-16 NBA betting guide</strong>: <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/857739" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/857739">Odds, predictions, and recommended wagers</a></p><p><strong>Don't get comfortable</strong>: <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/853206" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/853206">5 players who won't finish the season on their current team</a></p><h2>Team Previews</h2><p><strong>Northwest Division</strong></p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/26" href="http://www.thescore.com/nba/teams/26">Denver Nuggets</a></p><ul><li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/815606" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/815606">What to expect from the Nuggets this season</a></li></ul><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/27" href="http://www.thescore.com/nba/teams/27">Minnesota Timberwolves</a></p><ul>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/817160" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/817160">What to expect from the T-Wolves this season</a></li>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/826817" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/826817">Expect another step forward from Andrew Wiggins</a></li>
</ul><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/28" href="http://www.thescore.com/nba/teams/28">Oklahoma City Thunder</a></p><ul>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/816750" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/816750">What to expect from the Thunder this season</a></li>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/827150" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/827150">Both Durant and the Thunder can be the best in 2015-16</a></li>
</ul><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/29" href="http://www.thescore.com/nba/teams/29">Portland Trail Blazers</a></p><ul>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/817737" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/817737">What to expect from the Blazers this season</a></li>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/826818" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/826818">Post-Aldridge Blazers rebuilding on expedited timeline</a></li>
</ul><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/30" href="http://www.thescore.com/nba/teams/30">Utah Jazz</a></p><ul>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/817504" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/817504">What to expect from the Jazz this season</a></li>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/828216" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/828216">Can the Jazz make it work with Gobert on offense?</a></li>
</ul><p><strong>Atlantic Division</strong></p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/1" href="http://www.thescore.com/nba/teams/1">Boston Celtics</a></p><ul>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/816787" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/816787">What to expect from the Celtics this season</a></li>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/831051" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/831051">Sorting out Boston's crowded frontcourt</a></li>
</ul><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/2" href="http://www.thescore.com/nba/teams/2">Brooklyn Nets</a></p><ul>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/826812" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/826812">What to expect from the Nets this season</a></li>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/833562" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/833562">Does Brooklyn have a plan?</a></li>
</ul><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/3" href="http://www.thescore.com/nba/teams/3">New York Knicks</a></p><ul>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/826811" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/826811">What to expect from the Knicks this season</a></li>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/826816" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/826816">Improved Knicks may still be on the road to nowhere</a></li>
</ul><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/4" href="http://www.thescore.com/nba/teams/4">Philadelphia 76ers</a></p><ul>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/817527" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/817527">What to expect from the Sixers this season</a></li>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/828217" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/828217">76ers look to solve their 'greatest mystery,' the point guard position</a></li>
</ul><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/5" href="http://www.thescore.com/nba/teams/5">Toronto Raptors</a> </p><ul>
<li><a href="http://www.thescore.com/nba/news/816857">What to expect from the Raptors this season</a></li>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/826814" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/826814">What can Dwane Casey make out of the Raptors?</a></li>
</ul><p><strong>Pacific Division</strong></p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/16" href="http://www.thescore.com/nba/teams/16">Golden State Warriors</a></p><ul>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/819882" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/819882">What to expect from the defending champions</a></li>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/852958" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/852958">Only a repeat will silence the Warriors' doubters</a></li>
</ul><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/17" href="http://www.thescore.com/nba/teams/17">Los Angeles Clippers</a></p><ul>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/817510" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/817510">What to expect from the Clippers this season</a></li>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/826611" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/826611">L.A.'s championship window is smaller than it appears</a></li>
</ul><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/18" href="http://www.thescore.com/nba/teams/18">Los Angeles Lakers</a></p><ul>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/818420" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/818420">What to expect from the Lakers this season</a></li>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/833132" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/833132">This should be Kobe Bryant's last hurrah</a></li>
</ul><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/19" href="http://www.thescore.com/nba/teams/19">Phoenix Suns</a></p><ul>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/832765" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/832765">What to expect from the Suns this season</a></li>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/842101" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/842101">The happy accident: How the Suns rebuilt on the fly</a></li>
</ul><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/20" href="http://www.thescore.com/nba/teams/20">Sacramento Kings</a></p><ul>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/832704" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/832704">What to expect from the Kings this season</a></li>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/847831" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/847831">Why DeMarcus Cousins makes Sacramento worth rooting for</a></li>
</ul><p><strong>Central Division</strong></p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/6" href="http://www.thescore.com/nba/teams/6">Chicago Bulls</a></p><ul><li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/817605" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/817605">What to expect from the Bulls this season</a></li></ul><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/7" href="http://www.thescore.com/nba/teams/7">Cleveland Cavaliers</a></p><ul>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/817206" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/817206">What to expect from LeBron and the Cavs this season</a></li>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/844064" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/844064">What Kevin Love's redemption means for Cleveland</a></li>
</ul><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/8" href="http://www.thescore.com/nba/teams/8">Detroit Pistons</a></p><ul><li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/817905" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/817905">What to expect from the Pistons this season</a></li></ul><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/9" href="http://www.thescore.com/nba/teams/9">Indiana Pacers</a></p><ul>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/817516" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/817516">What to expect from the Pacers this season</a></li>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/845638" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/845638">Early takeaways from Paul George's switch to power forward</a></li>
</ul><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/10" href="http://www.thescore.com/nba/teams/10">Milwaukee Bucks</a></p><ul>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/821740" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/821740">What to expect from Greg Monroe and the Bucks this season</a></li>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/847436" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/847436">Monroe signing proves Milwaukee a viable free-agent destination</a></li>
</ul><p><strong>Southwest Division</strong></p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/21" href="http://www.thescore.com/nba/teams/21">Dallas Mavericks</a></p><ul><li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/849346" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/849346">What to expect from the Mavs this season</a></li></ul><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/22" href="http://www.thescore.com/nba/teams/22">Houston Rockets</a></p><ul><li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/832705" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/832705">What to expect from the Rockets this season</a></li></ul><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/23" href="http://www.thescore.com/nba/teams/23">Memphis Grizzlies</a></p><ul>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/817500" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/817500">What to expect from the Grizzlies this season</a></li>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/853832" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/853832">Is the championship window closing in Memphis?</a></li>
</ul><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/24" href="http://www.thescore.com/nba/teams/24">New Orleans Pelicans</a></p><ul>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/819034" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/819034">What to expect from the Pelicans this season</a></li>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/850453" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/850453">Tyreke Evans has finally found a home in New Orleans</a></li>
</ul><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/25" href="http://www.thescore.com/nba/teams/25">San Antonio Spurs</a></p><ul>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/822390" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/822390">What to expect from the Spurs this season</a></li>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/847300" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/847300">New look, same goal: San Antonio is reloaded</a></li>
</ul><p><strong>Southeast Division</strong></p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/11" href="http://www.thescore.com/nba/teams/11">Atlanta Hawks</a></p><ul><li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/817517" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/817517">What to expect from the Hawks this season</a></li></ul><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/12" href="http://www.thescore.com/nba/teams/12">Charlotte Hornets</a></p><ul>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/822002" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/822002">What to expect from the Hornets this season</a></li>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/847142" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/847142">Michael Kidd-Gilchrist's injury deals Charlotte a crippling blow</a></li>
</ul><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/13" href="http://www.thescore.com/nba/teams/13">Miami Heat</a></p><ul>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/832764" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/832764">What to expect from Wade, Bosh and the Heat this season</a></li>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/858458" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/858458">Age, health biggest obstacles to Heat's potential 2015-16 success</a></li>
</ul><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/14" href="http://www.thescore.com/nba/teams/14">Orlando Magic</a></p><ul><li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/819422" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/819422">What to expect from Scott Skiles' Magic</a></li></ul><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/15" href="http://www.thescore.com/nba/teams/15">Washington Wizards</a></p><ul>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/15" href="http://www.thescore.com/nba/teams/15">What to expect from John Wall and the Wizards this season</a></li>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/860669" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/860669">Is a breakout in store for Bradley Beal?</a></li>
</ul>

2015-16 NBA Predictions: Forecasting champions and award winners

Division Winners

Playoff results

Award winners

HEADLINES

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Daily Newsletter

Editor	Northwest	Pacific	Southwest	Atlantic	Central	Southeast
Joseph Casciaro	Thunder	Warriors	Spurs	Raptors	Cavaliers	Hawks
John Chick	Thunder	Clippers	Spurs	Raptors	Cavaliers	Heat
William Lou	Thunder	Warriors	Rockets	Raptors	Bulls	Hawks
Sam Morsy	Thunder	Warriors	Spurs	Raptors	Cavaliers	Heat
Chris Walder	Thunder	Warriors	Spurs	Raptors	Bulls	Hawks
Joe Wolfond	Thunder	Warriors	Rockets	Raptors	Cavaliers	Heat

Editor	West Final	East Final	NBA Finals
Joseph Casciaro	Spurs over Clippers	Cavaliers over Bulls	Cavs over Spurs
John Chick	Spurs over Warriors	Cavaliers over Heat	Cavs over Spurs
William Lou	Warriors over Clippers	Cavaliers over Wizards	Warriors over Cavs
Sam Morsy	Clippers over Warriors	Cavaliers over Heat	Clippers over Cavs
Chris Walder	Thunder over Warriors	Cavaliers over Bulls	Cavs over Thunder
Joe Wolfond	Spurs over Thunder	Cavaliers over Bulls	Spurs over Cavs

Editor	MVP	Rookie of the Year	Defensive Player	6th Man	Most Improved	Coach	Executive
Joseph Casciaro	Kevin Durant	Karl-Anthony Towns	Draymond Green	Isaiah Thomas	Giannis Antetokounmpo	Billy Donovan	RC Buford
John Chick	Kevin Durant	Jahlil Okafor	Anthony Davis	Isaiah Thomas	Aaron Gordon	Billy Donovan	Sam Presti
William Lou	Kevin Durant	Jahlil Okafor	Draymond Green	Isaiah Thomas	CJ McCollum	Steve Kerr	RC Buford
Sam Morsy	Anthony Davis	Jahlil Okafor	DeAndre Jordan	Isaiah Thomas	Otto Porter Jr.	Brad Stevens	Masai Ujiri
Chris Walder	Kevin Durant	Emmanuel Mudiay	Rudy Gobert	Isaiah Thomas	Bradley Beal	Billy Donovan	RC Buford
Joe Wolfond	James Harden	Karl-Anthony Towns	Rudy Gobert	Cory Joseph	Giannis Antetokounmpo	Brad Stevens	Daryl Morey