Can you believe that there is only a month and a half left until the end of the NBA regular season? Teams are in full playoff push mode, looking to grab the best seed that they can for the long and grueling playoff slate that begins in April.
While sixteen teams will make the playoffs, in our opinion, there are two teams, one from each conference, that are clear NBA title contenders based on how they have played this season and the talent on their rosters.
Here are the two NBA championship contenders most likely to triumph in the playoffs.
Los Angeles Lakers: Western Conference
The Lakers are the best-positioned team to win the NBA title this year based on their lethal combination of talent, both from veterans such as LeBron James and Anthony Davis as well as young stars like Kyle Kuzma.
LeBron James, in his 17th NBA season, continues to be a dominant force. The three-time NBA champion is averaging 25.5 points per game and leading the league with 10.6 assists per game. He is a tremendous, multi-dimensional talent who puts the Lakers in a different stratosphere based on his production, talent, and experience.
Davis and James are the fiercest 1-2 combination in the league, and complimentary players such as Kuzma, Avery Bradley, and Danny Green should be enough to make them the title favorites come playoff time as long as they can stay healthy. They’re the most talented team in the NBA, and they have the playoff experience and mental fortitude to win a championship.
Milwaukee Bucks: Eastern Conference
The Bucks are the unquestioned top team in the NBA’s Eastern Conference this season. Why? The answer to this question revolves around one single player who is becoming the most transformative player in the league: Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The Greek Freak is the leading candidate for the NBA MVP Award, averaging 29.7 points and 13.7 rebounds per game with absurd efficiency. He is the clear star and leader of the team, and he works with a supporting cast that allows him to shine.
Don’t think the Bucks are only about Antetokounmpo, however. Under-the-radar veteran pieces such as Khris Middleton (21.1 points per game) and Eric Bledsoe (a strong PG defender and a good ball distributor) are enough to propel their team past a dependence on their superstar. This might just be the team that will lift the title in June.
