2015-2016 NBA Season Opening Night and Future Predictions

Can Cleveland ever win a championship? Will Golden State repeat? Is the missing ingredient for the Clippers a dose of some Truth? What the hell is going to happen in Sacramento?

The 2015-2016 NBA season is here. Before getting to some wilder and more-distant predictions which are almost assuredly going to be wrong, let’s look at opening night’s matchups.

Pistons at Hawks (Hawks -6.5)

The Hawks have been called the Spurs-East for good reason: they are a well-run organization with good coaching. I expect them to play well in the season opener and throughout the season, aiming to prove that last season’s #1 seed was well-deserved.

I predict the Pistons to gel for a stretch or two during 2015-2016 like they did after cutting Josh Smith last season, but I don’t think this game will be in one of those stretches.

Cavs at Bulls (Cavs +3)

As the favorites to win the championship, you know Cleveland is all-in this year. Question is will they come out firing or have some kinks to work out. Plus they will be without Kyrie Irving.

Chicago has got more questions: how healthy are Rose and Joakim Noah? what impact will Hoiberg have as he takes over for Thibideau as head coach? I think they have a lot of potential, but picking Cleveland to cover the spread here in a close game.

Pelicans at Warriors (Pelicans +9.5)

I went back and forth on this one. The Warriors know what they are doing even with Luke Walton acting as head coach, but Anthony Davis is a beast and Pelicans head-coach Alvin Gentry ought to know pretty well what to expect from the Warriors as their former assistant coach.

Bonus Opening Night Predictions

Shaq will hint at exacting revenge for his infamous fall last season, but will not make an attempt yet.
Kevin Love will lead the Cavs in scoring.
Anthony Davis will score the most on the night.
Luke Walton will do quite well coaching the Warriors and they’ll easily handle the Pelicans at home and I’ll feel silly for picking Pelicans on the spread.

Way-too-early Playoff Predictions

On to the bigger picture. Who’s goink to make the playoffs this year?

Playoff Seeding

East:

Kyle	David	Zacky Chan
Cavaliers Bulls Hawks Bucks Heat Celtics Wizards Pacers	Bulls Cavaliers Hawks Wizards Heat Bucks Raptors Celtics	Cavaliers Wizards Bulls Heat Bucks Pacers Hornets Magic

Bubble teams: Knicks, Pistons

West:

Kyle	David	Zacky Chan
Spurs Thunder Warriors Rockets Clippers Grizzlies Pelicans Mavericks	Warriors Rockets Thunder Spurs Clippers Grizzlies Pelicans Suns	Thunder Warriors Clippers Pelicans Rockets Spurs Suns Timberwolves

Bubble teams: Jazz, Sacramento (wild card!), Trail Blazers

Man, the teams at the top of the West are all so good that the order is hard to predict, and I expect it to be very close between them.

Random And Not-so-random Predictions For The Season

Robin Lopez will take his mascot-terrorizing to new levels.
Emmanuel Mudiay will win Rookie of the Year.
The Truth will be what the Clippers need to get to the Conference Finals.
Anthony Davis gets MVP.
Contradicting the bubble-grouping above, Sacramento will implode.

Finals Predictions:

Kyle	David	Zacky Chan
Cavaliers over Clippers (in 7)	Cavaliers over Spurs (in 6)	Clippers over Wizards (in 7)

Let the games begin! And may the odds be ever in your favor.