Coming up on the All-Star Game in Phoenix, Arizona, it is time for me to make my early predictions for both the NBA champion and MVP:
NBA Champion:
As of now, barring any major changes to lineups or injuries, I believe that LA will be the NBA champion come June. After beating Boston once again on Thursday night, the Lakers snapped the Cavaliers’ home winning streak (23-0 at home) behind a monster game from Lamar Odom. Odom had 27 points and 18 rebounds and the Lakers slowed LeBron James down throughout the game, as James finished with only 16 points off 5-20 shooting. It just seems that Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol are clicking even more this season and the necessary desire for redemption after last season’s failure is there.
NBA MVP
Although Kobe and the Lakers got the better of LeBron and the Cavs on Sunday, it is still clear that James has just enough to surpass Bryant in MVP voting. Averaging a league-best 28.4 PPG before today’s game, LBJ has the stats to pass KB24 and his team’s winning percentage is entirely adequate as well. At 39-10, the Cleveland Cavaliers are first in the Eastern Conference and second in the NBA.
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