Earlier in the week, Kyle Baillargeon made his preseason predictions with final regular-season records for all 30 NBA teams.
[His team-by-team predictions here: Eastern Conference - Western Conference]
Of course, "winning" the regular season doesn't mean much unless you parlay that home-court advantage into a title.
With that said, Kyle makes his predictions for the conference and NBA Finals below:
Eastern Conference Finals: Boston over Miami in six games
The Heat can expect to be back in the finals for many years to come, and will likely win at least a few more, so long as LeBron is still there. But the retooled Boston Celtics will put that dynasty on hold for the 2012-2013 season. This Celtics team is on a mission to win. More importantly though, this is the most complete Celtics team since the 07-08 squad. The Heat still have Lebron, Wade, and Bosh, and they did add Ray Allen, but once again, depth is a question mark. The Celtics' deep rotation will keep coming at the Heat, and eventually wear them down and take it in six games.
Western Conference Finals: LA Lakers over San Antonio in five games
The Spurs will have run out of gas by the time they face Dwight Howard and the Lakers. This year should be the final stand for San Antonio, but the Lakers will not be stopped in the West. Steve Nash's playmaking will prove to be too much, and Kobe Bryant is still Kobe Bryant. But the key to this Lakers team will be Howard. Assuming his back does not hinder him in any way, he and Pau Gasol should dominate the front court. The Lakers will win this going away.
NBA Finals: LA Lakers over Boston in seven games
This pains me to admit, but the Celtics likely won't be able to stop the Lakers. Though Boston still has Kevin Garnett, and they did add a glut of seven-footers, Pau Gasol and Dwight Howard are just too much for any front court. Steve Nash may not be able to keep up with Rondo at this stage, and that may be Boston's best hope of winning the Finals. Either way, expect a classic seven-game series in June 2013.
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