End of year predictions for 2017-18 NBA season

    Eastern Conference:        Western Conference:
1. Boston Celtics            1. Golden State Warriors
2. Cleveland Cavaliers        2. Houston Rockets
3. Washington Wizards        3. San Antonio Spurs
4. Toronto Raptors        4. Oklahoma City Thunder
5. Milwaukee Bucks        5. Denver Nuggets
6. Detroit Pistons            6. Minnesota Timberwolves
7. Miami Heat            7. Los Angeles Clippers
8. Philadelphia 76ers        8. Utah Jazz
Most Improved Player
“The Latvian Unicorn” Kristaps Porzingis practically has the most improved player award locked up a month into the season. The only thing keeping Porzingis away from the MVP is the fact that he is playing for the lackluster New York Knicks. Despite competing for an underwhelming team, Porzingis has definitely thrived without Carmelo Anthony and has shown he can be a superstar that a franchise can build around.
Most Valuable Player
James Harden was in a tight race with eventual winner Russell Westbrook last season, but this time around, Harden seems poised to be at the front of the MVP race. Ever-improving Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo will challenge Harden for the award, but ultimately it will come down to where Harden leads the Houston Rockets, which figures to be at the top of the West with the Warriors.
NBA Finals
Yeah. It’s going to happen again. Despite all of the big moves made by numerous teams to try and replace the Cavs and Warriors (see “Moving day” story), LeBron James will once again battle Stephen Curry. But for the third time in four years, the avalanche that is the Warriors’ offense will expose the Cavs’ weaknesses and capture another NBA championship.