{"id":37950,"date":"2021-03-13T11:00:06","date_gmt":"2021-03-13T16:00:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=37950"},"modified":"2021-03-12T21:46:26","modified_gmt":"2021-03-13T02:46:26","slug":"nba-second-half-predictions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2021\/03\/13\/nba-second-half-predictions\/","title":{"rendered":"NBA Second Half Predictions"},"content":{"rendered":"

After an exciting All-Star weekend, the second half of the season is set to get started. The first half of the year has been full of surprises. From the Charlotte Hornets<\/a> to the Utah Jazz<\/a>, hopes are high across the league. Let\u2019s see which teams and players are primed for success in my NBA second-half predictions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

NBA Second Half Predictions<\/h2>\n

Rookie of the Year<\/b><\/h3>\n

Let\u2019s start with an easy one. Before the season, LaMelo Ball<\/a><\/strong> was the favorite to take home this award. Once the season started, things were not looking great for Ball, who struggled at times coming off the bench. He has been on a roll since entering the starting lineup, averaging 20.2 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per game in February. Tyrese Haliburton<\/a><\/strong> continues to play well for the Sacramento Kings<\/a> (13.2 points per game, 49.4 field goal percentage). New York Knicks’ <\/a>Immanuel Quickley<\/a> <\/strong>is impressing people, averaging 12.2 points per game in under twenty minutes. <\/span>If Ball can keep his turnovers down and produce at the level he\u2019s shown he is capable of, the ROTY award will be his to lose.<\/span><\/p>\n

Defensive Player of the Year<\/b><\/h3>\n

Despite what Pat Beverly<\/a> <\/strong>may think, there are some quality players in the running for this year\u2019s award. According to Vegas odds, the top five players in the running include four All-Stars. Giannis Antetokounmpo<\/a><\/strong> and Rudy Gobert<\/a><\/strong> are the two most recent winners, but teammates Ben Simmons<\/a><\/strong> and Joel Embiid<\/a><\/strong> each have a shot at taking it this year. NBA blocks leader Myles Turner<\/a><\/strong> is third, according to the oddsmakers. While Gobert is currently the favorite, my money is on Simmons this year. Not only is Simmons a more versatile defender, but he is leading the league in deflections with four per game. While 1.6 steals and 0.8 blocks per game may not jump off the stat sheet, you\u2019d be hard-pressed to find another player in the league that can guard LeBron James<\/a><\/strong> one night and Damian Lillard<\/a><\/strong> the next. <\/span><\/p>\n

Most Valuable Player<\/b><\/h3>\n

This year\u2019s Most Valuable Player race is as interesting as it\u2019s been in years. Nikola Jokic<\/a> <\/strong>is having one of the most efficient seasons in NBA history, averaging nearly a triple-double (27.1 points, 11 rebounds, and 8.6 assists per game). The Denver Nuggets<\/a> are sixth in the Western Conference and need a second-half run. James Harden<\/a><\/strong> is making himself a contender despite his bad start with the Houston Rockets<\/a>. Since coming to the Brooklyn Nets<\/a>, Harden averaged 25.5 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 11.4 assists per game. However, the Nets All-Star cast will make it hard to name any of them as the league\u2019s MVP.<\/span><\/p>\n

Next, we have James, who is always in the running for this award but hasn\u2019t won it since the 2013 season. If the Los Angeles Lakers<\/a> make a run while Anthony Davis<\/a><\/strong> is out, James may be able to secure his fifth MVP title. As of now, he is a close second to Philadelphia 76ers’<\/a>\u00a0big man Embiid. Not only is Embiid averaging 30.3 points and 11.5 rebounds per game, but he is the lone MVP candidate who is also a contender for Defensive Player of the Year. Multiple 40-point games and clutch shots have put Embiid in the driver\u2019s seat as long as he stays healthy. <\/span><\/p>\n

Eastern Conference Champion<\/b><\/h3>\n

While on the topic of Embiid\u2019s health, an injury-free second half could very well lead the Sixers to the NBA Finals. The Nets are right there as well, with the potential to run any team out of the gym on a given night. Brooklyn may come out on top in the regular season, but they could struggle come playoff time. Blake Griffin<\/strong><\/a> is a nice addition, but he doesn\u2019t solve or in any way help the Nets\u2019 biggest issue. Without more front-court depth, this team could struggle in a seven-game series against the Sixers. Philadelphia has taken their lumps in the playoffs over the last few years. They look ready to take that next step to the promised land.<\/span><\/p>\n

Western Conference Champion<\/b><\/h3>\n

It\u2019s hard to bet against the Jazz when it comes to the final standings in the Western Conference. While the Phoenix Suns <\/a>are red hot, I doubt they can maintain this pace for the remainder of the regular season. The Los Angeles Clippers<\/a> are keeping pace with their LA counterparts and the Nuggets still have a shot at a top-four seed. The Lakers have struggled recently, but it is hard to bet against James getting to the NBA Finals. They will certainly make a move before the trade deadline and they are a finalist in the Andre Drummond<\/a><\/strong> sweepstakes. If you pair that with a healthy Davis, you’ll have this year\u2019s Western Conference champs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Main Photo
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>