Predicting the Western Conference Standings for 2010-11 season
NBA’s regular season will soon be underway and with this comes the time for various experts in America to give in their predictions. The Western Conference according to experts will be winning about 53% of the games this season. If we compare this with the predicted wins for the Eastern Conference which currently stands at 597 games, it means that the East will win 633 games.
Many would know that the top spot without a doubt is expected to be occupied by the Los Angeles Lakers. The consecutive two time defending champions according to many are still on the road for not only the Western Conference title but also for the NBA Finals crown. Media reports suggest that if Heat were to face the Lakers in the NBA finals, the games will not start at the Staples Arena, Los Angeles. Interesting battles are expected to take place between Oklahoma City, Mavericks, Utah Jazz, Houston Rockets and Denver Nuggets.
Let’s see where the teams are expected to finish and their statistics at the end of the regular season.
The Los Angeles Lakers are the heavyweights in the Western Conference and are expected to win a total of 58 games. Under the management of Phil Jackson and leadership of the ever improving Kobe Bryant, Lakers are expected to win just 24 games by maintaining a percentage of 70.7%. The second spot is predicted to be occupied by Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunders gave the Lakers some tough time during the last season during the first round. The Thunders are expected to come up with 52 wins and 30 losses. The end of the regular season will see them maintain an average of 63.4%. The third place will be secured by the Dallas Mavericks.
The Denver Nuggets come in next with Coach George Karl expected to return with 49 wins for the Nuggets along with 33 losses while maintaining an average 59.8%. If Carmelo Anthony and company manage to come up with good performances that they care capable of, they are expected to finish even higher. The Portland Trail Blazers are expected to battle their way out of injuries to win 49 games and lose a total of 33 games.
The 6th position is expected to go to the San Antonio Spurs. The NBA champions guided by Tim Duncan and Tony Parker will be looking to prove the predictions wrong. They can achieve that by winning 48 games and losing 34 games with an average of 58.5%. Utah Jazz comes in next which is expected to win 47 wins and lose 35 matches. The Houston Rockets are expected to finish in the 8th position only if Yao Ming returns. Yao Ming has undergone an injury and only time will tell what the Houston Rockets will do if the 7 feet 6 inches giant doesn’t return.
The Phoenix Suns guided by the talented and spectacular Steve Nash are being placed at the 9th spot. Not only this but the Phoenix Suns is expected to put up a good show and manage to put up a 30 plus consecutive winning game streak. All in all, they are expected to win 44 wins and 38 losses maintaining an average of 53.7%.
With Chris Paul renewing his contract with the Hornets and if they do manage to come up with an injury free season, the New Orleans team is expected to seal the top ten positions. The Hornets are expected to finish with 38 wins and 44 losses with an average of 46.3% at the end of the regular season.
The last position in the Western Conference will be occupied by the Minnesota Timberwolves who are expected to win as many as 20 games and lose 62 games with an average of 24.4%. The Timberwolves are listed due to the fact that out of 93 experts, 33% think that they will be the worst team in the NBA in the upcoming season.
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