New 2023 Western Conference Champions Predictions

Winning the Conference Finals is the second-best thing for a team in the NBA. If you can’t be first, try for second place, right? In this article, we’ll be looking at the five favorites in the West, based on data and standings from 5 December. These are our 2023 Western Conference champion predictions.

History has shown us that upsets happen way more often in the playoffs than people expect. Great regular-season teams can crumble easily under the pressure of playing in the postseason. Below you’ll find the five favorites for the Western Conference winners, all based on recent odds.

The Warriors are Expected to Run it Back Despite a Difficult Start

The Warriors finished 3rd in the West last season and went on to win the Finals. Ever since pre-season, they have been the Western Conference favorites. However, this season has been a bit of a rollercoaster. Golden State has a 13-11 record as of 5 December and won 7 of their last 10 games. They also have an 11-1 home record, which is incredibly impressive.

One of Golden State’s main weaknesses this season is the bench. Jordan Poole is the Warriors’ 6th man but the shooting guard hasn’t lived up to expectations so far. The Warriors are looking much better lately and there’s still plenty of time to go for the top seed in the West. Plus, they’re the most-seasoned playoff team in the league right now. Their odds to become the Western Conference Champions are +340 on Bet Online.

Phoenix Suns Looking for Redemption after Last Season’s Disaster

Phoenix finished last season with the best regular season record and had high hopes of going back to the NBA Finals. However, they were eliminated by the Doncic-led Mavericks in the second round. As of 5 December, the Suns lead the West with a 16-7 record. Everyone expects them to make the playoffs again this year. But have they learned from last season’s mistakes?

Booker is playing great this season and the Suns are managing well without Chris Paul. Cameron Payne is the replacement for the injured all-star most of the time and he’s been good as well. But, if the Suns want to reach the Finals they’ll need CP3. The playoffs are a long way away and Phoenix has odds of +350 to be the Western Conference champions.

Is Relying on Kawhi Leonard a Bad Idea? – 2023 Western Conference Champion Predictions

Clippers Nation received a boost of confidence in pre-season when Kawhi’s return was announced. The only problem is that he isn’t back, at least not yet. Leonard only played in 5 of the Clippers’ 24 games so far this season, leaving the Clippers shorthanded. Paul George and Norman Powell have been injury prone this season so things aren’t looking the best in LA.

Reggie Jackson, Ivica Zubac, Terance Mann, and Nicholas Batum have been the most consistent players this season on the Clippers’ roster. But this isn’t a lineup that’ll get you to the Western Conference Finals. Contrary to this, the Clipper’s odds to become the champions of the West are +500 on Bet Online. There are some promising diamonds on this team but we don’t think they’ll win the West.

A healthy Nuggets Team Might Hurt the Joker’s MVP Chances

The Nuggets have the reigning MVP on their roster and are currently tied for 3rd in the West with a 14-9 record. Jokic is putting up 23.2 PPG, 10.1 RPG, and 8.9 APG which is an insane stat line but not for him. The Joker was one of the best players entering the season. Jamal Murray is finally back as well so the playoffs could be interesting if the Nuggets can make it that far. We believe they will.

Michael Porter Jr. returned as well but went down with a nasty heel injury a few weeks ago. Online sportsbook news in the US reports there is no timetable for his return. Aaron Gordon and KCP will be the other important pieces in the Nuggets’ playoff hopes. It’s a bit weird to say this but Denver is lucky that their starters are mostly healthy. The Nuggets’ odds to be Western Conference champions are +650.

Are the Young Grizzlier Ready? – 2023 Western Conference Champion Predictions

As of 5 December, the Grizzlies are tied with the Nuggets for 3rd place in the West. The Memphis Grizzlies were one of the hottest teams last season but now that the flair is gone, people expect big things of them. Morant and co. have been living up to those expectations so far. Apart from Morant, Dillon Brooks and Steven Adams have been the most important pieces in the Grizzlies’ starting lineup.

Jaren Jackson Jr. missed 13 games out of 23 which surprisingly didn’t hurt the team too much. But Memphis will need the forward come playoff time. The Grizzlies entered this season with more experience and they seem hungry enough to go deep in the postseason. Their odds to win the Western Conference Finals are +750 on Bet Online.

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