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The NBA regular season is right around the corner.
The first day of real games begins on October 24th.
Every team will spend the next few weeks getting prepared for a long 82-game season.
Looking at the league landscape, the Western Conference is the more competitive league.
There are five or six teams that could legitimately win the conference.
Last season it was the Denver Nuggets that won the West and the eventual NBA Finals.
But it seems like they are being overlooked this year.
ESPN recently predicted the Western Conference standings for this year and there are certainly some teams on here that will surprise people.
ESPN’s Western Conference predictions:
1. Grizzlies: 48.4 wins
2. Timberwolves: 47.7 wins
3. Nuggets: 46.4 wins
4. Warriors: 43.7 wins
5. Suns: 43.5 wins
6. Pelicans: 43.2 wins
7. Kings: 43.1 wins
8. Lakers: 41.5 wins
9. Mavericks: 41.4 wins
10. Clippers: 40.3 wins
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) October 7, 2023
First off, the Memphis Grizzlies have the highest projected win total.
That is hard to believe because they will be without Ja Morant for 25 games this season due to suspension.
Memphis was never the best team in the league with Morant available.
To think they can hold a top spot this year seems far-fetched.
Grizz 1 seed
— incognito tab #3 (@notcrypticno) October 7, 2023
The reigning champion Nuggets check in at third with a projected win total of 46.4.
But it is more than likely they will once again fight for the top spot.
This is honestly the worst list I’ve ever seen. Nuggets suns will battle for 1st. Lakers will be 3rd
— Andrey (@DreBob0) October 7, 2023
Also, it is hard to believe the Minnesota Timberwolves are projected so high.
They are projected for 47.7 wins and they have not won more than 47 games since 2003-04.
WHAT?!?! . Grizzlies at 1?! They are missing their best player for over 20 games, and Timberwolves at 3? . Also, Pelicans over Lakers? This whole list has many issues
— Giovanni Rosello (@LuckyGio2) October 7, 2023
Seeing the Lakers, Mavericks, and Clippers at eight, nine, and ten is odd.
All three have strong rosters and at worst should be middle-of-the-pack teams in the conference.
Instead, this list has all three fighting for a play-in spot.
THEY GOT THE DALLAS MAVERICKS TO FINISH 9TH
9TH!? https://t.co/aWk8iH7g3U
— Dallas Nation (@TheDallasNation) October 7, 2023
It will be interesting to see how the West plays out this year.
Especially with many good teams all vying for a top spot.
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