2015-16 NBA Predictions: Forecasting champions and award winners

by
Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Welcome to theScore's preview of the 2015-16 NBA season. Visit our season preview hub for comprehensive coverage of all 30 teams.

With just hours to go until regular season basketball returns, theScore's NBA editors forecast how the 2015-16 campaign will play out.

Division Winners

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

Playoff results

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

Award winners

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

The Digest

2015-16 NBA Preview

by theScore staff
Ezra Shaw / Getty Images Sport / Getty

What to watch for: The top 7 storylines of 2015-16

2015-16 predictions: Forecasting champions and award winners

The Pick and Pop roundtable: Which players will break out and regress?

The Pick and Pop roundtable: Which teams will surprise and disappoint?

Preseason power rankings: Warriors on top, Pelicans plummet

Player Rankings: Nos. 35-20

Player Rankings: Nos. 20-11

Player Rankings: Nos. 10-6

Player Rankings: The top 5

2015-16 NBA betting guide: Odds, predictions, and recommended wagers

Don't get comfortable: 5 players who won't finish the season on their current team

Team Previews

Northwest Division

Denver Nuggets

Minnesota Timberwolves

Oklahoma City Thunder

Portland Trail Blazers

Utah Jazz

Atlantic Division

Boston Celtics

Brooklyn Nets

New York Knicks

Philadelphia 76ers

Toronto Raptors

Pacific Division

Golden State Warriors

Los Angeles Clippers

Los Angeles Lakers

Phoenix Suns

Sacramento Kings

Central Division

Chicago Bulls

Cleveland Cavaliers

Detroit Pistons

Indiana Pacers

Milwaukee Bucks

Southwest Division

Dallas Mavericks

Houston Rockets

Memphis Grizzlies

New Orleans Pelicans

San Antonio Spurs

Southeast Division

Atlanta Hawks

Charlotte Hornets

Miami Heat

Orlando Magic

Washington Wizards

Advertisement