NBA Predictions: Power rankings, playoffs, MVP

It’s NBA basketball time, as the 2025-26 season has finally arrived. I try not to write things with exclamation points, but if I did, I would’ve used one for that first sentence.

I’m entering Year No. 19 of writing and talking about the NBA as my full-time job. How’s that for a gig you cannot wait to wake up to? (Speaking of talking about the NBA, be sure to catch Full Court Cleveland, featuring Daniel “Booby” Gibson, Rafa Hernandez-Brito and Yours Truly on Big Play/FanDuel Sports Network each week throughout the season.)

Anyway, not only does this mark my 19th season, but it’s also my 10th or so of ranking all 30 teams, in order, as well as who makes the playoffs, who reaches the Finals, and who wins it all. Without further ado …

Amico’s Power Rankings

1. Oklahoma City Thunder

2. Cleveland Cavaliers

3. Denver Nuggets

4. Minnesota Timberwolves

5. Houston Rockets

6. New York Knicks

7. Orlando Magic

8. Golden State Warriors

9. Los Angeles Lakers

10. Milwaukee Bucks

11. Dallas Mavericks

12. Los Angeles Clippers

13. Detroit Pistons

14. Atlanta Hawks

15. Indiana Pacers

16. Philadelphia 76ers

17. Boston Celtics

18. San Antonio Spurs

19. Memphis Grizzlies

20. New Orleans Pelicans

21. Sacramento Kings

22. Portland Trail Blazers

23. Miami Heat

24. Chicago Bulls

25. Toronto Raptors

26. Charlotte Hornets

27. Phoenix Suns

28. Utah Jazz

29. Brooklyn Nets

30. Washington Wizards

Playoffs/MVP

East Finals: Cavaliers over Magic

West Finals: Nuggets over Thunder

NBA Finals: Nuggets over Cavaliers

NBA MVP: Nikola Jokic