NBA season predictions: Which teams will reach the finals? Who will win MVP, title in 2023?

There is no shortage of MVP candidates for the 2022-23 NBA season, from players who have won it before (Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic, Kevin Durant) to players who are trying to win it for the first time (Joel Embiid, Luka Doncic, Ja Morant, Devin Booker).

Is there someone else who could win MVP?

And to illustrate just how wide open the NBA is this season, our USA TODAY Sports five-person panel picked five different teams from the East and four different teams from the West to reach the conference finals — and four different teams to win the NBA championship.

Could the NBA have a different championship for the sixth consecutive season? Can anyone stop Golden State? Are the Los Angeles Clippers going to win the their first title in franchise history?

ANALYSIS: East vs. West will feature contenders challenged from all angles

HARDWARE: Who wins NBA MVP? Nikola Jokic could enter rare air

TOP STORYLINES: Who can dethrone Warriors in West? More Nets dysfunction?

NEW SEASON: Five NBA players we can't wait to see back on the court

Here’s a look at USA TODAY Sports' predictions for the NBA season — from conference finalists to NBA champion to individual awards:

Scooby Axson, USA TODAY

East finalists: Milwaukee-Philadelphia

West finalists: Los Angeles Clippers-Golden State

NBA Finals: Milwaukee-Los Angeles Clippers

Champion: Milwaukee

MVP: Joel Embiid, Philadelphia

Rookie of the Year: Paolo Banchero, Orlando

Coach of the Year: Steve Kerr, Golden State

Most Improved Player: Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia

Defensive Player of the Year: Bam Adebayo, Miami

Sixth Man of the Year: Jordan Poole, Golden State

Cydney Henderson, USA TODAY

East finalists: Milwaukee-Boston

West finalists: Golden State-Memphis

NBA Finals: Milwaukee-Golden State

Champion: Milwaukee

MVP: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee

Rookie of the Year: Paolo Banchero, Orlando

Coach of the Year: Ty Lue, Los Angeles Clippers

Most Improved Player: Zion Williamson, New Orleans

Defensive Player of the Year: Rudy Gobert, Minnesota

Sixth Man of the Year: Jordan Poole, Golden State

Jim Owczarski, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

East finalists: Milwaukee-Boston

West finalists: Golden State-Los Angeles Clippers

NBA Finals: Golden State-Milwaukee

Champion: Golden State 

MVP: Joel Embiid, Philadelphia

Rookie of the Year: Bennedict Mathurin, Indiana

Coach of the Year: Ty Lue, Los Angeles Clippers

Most Improved Player: Zion Williamson, New Orleans

Defensive Player of the Year: Bam Adebayo, Miami

Sixth Man of the Year: Jordan Poole, Golden State

Duane Rankin, Arizona Republic

East finalists: Miami-Brooklyn

West finalists: Golden State-Phoenix

NBA Finals: Miami-Golden State

Champion: Miami

MVP: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee

Rookie of the Year: Keegan Murray, Sacramento

Coach of the Year: Ty Lue, Los Angeles Clippers

Most Improved Player: Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia

Defensive Player of the Year: Bam Adebayo, Miami

Sixth Man of the Year: Jordan Poole, Golden State

Jeff Zillgitt, USA TODAY

East finalists: Milwaukee-Philadelphia

West finalists: Golden State-Los Angeles Clippers

NBA Finals: Milwaukee-Los Angeles Clippers

Champion: Los Angeles Clippers

MVP: Joel Embiid, Philadelphia

Rookie of the Year: Jabari Smith, Houston

Coach of the Year: Ty Lue, Los Angeles Clippers

Most Improved Player: R.J. Barrett, New York 

Defensive Player of the Year: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee

Sixth Man of the Year: Christian Wood, Dallas

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