NBA predictions: Which teams will come out of the East and West?

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Every October, usually 28 teams or so have designs on qualifying for the NBA playoffs and this year is no different. The Minnesota Timberwolves, reeling after the devastating death of coach/president Flip Saunders, were about rebuilding this year behind their youth even before this tragedy.

The Philadelphia 76ers, of course, never have designs on winning, running a scheme on the city and fan base that borders on criminal, but alas.

[NBC SHOP: Gear up, Bulls fans!]

As this season starts, there will be some underachieving teams, leaving some franchises to wonder if their current direction is best and with the current windfall of TV money, will position themselves for free agency quite early.

But since only 16 teams qualify, here’s how this scribe sees the Eastern and Western Conference top eight standings play out before the playoffs.

Eastern Conference

1. Cleveland Cavaliers (61-21)

2. Miami Heat (54-28)

3. Chicago Bulls (53-29)

4. Atlanta Hawks (50-32)

5. Washington Wizards (48-34)

6. Milwaukee Bucks (46-36)

7. Toronto Raptors (45-37)

8. Indiana Pacers (42-40)

Western Conference

1. Oklahoma City Thunder (64-18)

2. Golden State Warriors (62-20)

3. San Antonio Spurs (56-26)

4. Los Angeles Clippers (55-27)

5. Houston Rockets (53-29)

6. Memphis Grizzlies (49-33)

7. New Orleans Pelicans (46-36)

8. Utah Jazz (43-39)

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