NBA Standings 2022-2023: Eastern, Western Conference Predictions For Basketball Season

The race for the best record in the 2022-23 NBA season appears to be wide open. Along with the defending Eastern and Western Conference champions, there are several legitimate contenders to finish atop the standings.

The Phoenix Suns were first in the standings last season, going 64-18 and finishing eight games ahead of the No. 2 seed Memphis Grizzlies. The Miami Heat were the No. 1 seed in the East, and the top four seeds in the conference were only separated by two games.

It's highly likely that both conferences will have a new regular-season winner in 2023. The Suns could take a step back after being upset in the second round of playoffs. Chris Paul is in his age-37 season. The Heat will play in what could be the most top-heavy East in recent memory.

As long as Giannis Antetokounmpo is healthy, the Milwaukee Bucks have a chance to be the best team in basketball. The Brooklyn Nets will finally have Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and Ben Simmons on the roster at the same time. The Philadelphia 76ers have high expectations now that James Harden will play alongside back-to-back MVP runner-up Joel Embiid for a full season.

The Boston Celtics are the betting favorites to win the title after losing in the 2022 Finals. Coming off their fourth championship in seven years, the Golden State Warriors have what it takes to win more games than anyone.

The Minnesota Timberwolves and Cleveland Cavaliers made the biggest trades of the offseason, potentially allowing them to climb up the standings. Minnesota acquired Rudy Gobert from the Utah Jazz, which sent Donovan Mitchell to Cleveland.

Utah has gone from a perennial playoff contender to a lottery team because of its offseason firesale.

The Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers were two of the league's most disappointing teams a season ago. Neither team made the playoffs, and the Lakers weren't even good enough to qualify for the play-in tournament. The Clippers are among the championship favorites, while the Lakers could be in for another long year if LeBron James and Anthony Davis can't stay on the court.

Here are predictions for the complete standings in the upcoming NBA season in the East and West.

East

1) Milwaukee Bucks

2) Philadelphia 76ers

3) Brooklyn Nets

4) Cleveland Cavaliers

5) Boston Celtics

6) Toronto Raptors

7) Atlanta Hawks

8) Miami Heat

9) Chicago Bulls

10) New York Knicks