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2017 Wizards, NBA predictions

Noah Frank | nfrank@wtop.com

October 18, 2017, 3:55 AM

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OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 12: Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors goes up for a shot against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 5 of the 2017 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 12, 2017 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Monica Davey/Pool/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON — The NBA season tipped in Cleveland and Oakland Tuesday night, but begins for Wizards fans in Washington Wednesday evening as the Wiz take on the Philadelphia 76ers. Can they finally get past the second round? Who are their primary competitors out East? Is this the year John Wall contends for an MVP? Can anyone stop the Warriors? The WTOP Sports staff attempts to answer these questions and more in this year’s predictions. (Photo by Monica Davey/Pool/Getty Images)
Photo by Monica Davey/Pool/Getty Images
CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 17: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics looks on while playing the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first half at Quicken Loans Arena on October 17, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Who will win more games: Cavaliers or Celtics? Chris Cichon, sports anchor: Cavaliers J. Brooks, sports anchor: Celtics Noah Frank, digital sports editor: Celtics Dave Preston, sports anchor: Celtics Rob Woodfork, sports anchor: Cavaliers (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 10: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder brings the ball down the court against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center on October 10, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Who will be the closest team to challenging the Warriors in the West? Chris Cichon: Oklahoma City Thunder J. Brooks: Oklahoma City Thunder Noah Frank: Oklahoma City Thunder Dave Preston: Oklahoma City Thunder Rob Woodfork: Houston Rockets (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images
KANSAS CITY, MO - OCTOBER 13: Erik McCree #22 of the Miami Heat shoots during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Sprint Center on October 13, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
What non-playoff teams from last year will make the playoffs this year? Chris Cichon: Orlando Magic | Denver Nuggets J. Brooks: Miami Heat | Dallas Mavericks Noah Frank: Philadelphia 76ers | Minnesota Timberwolves Dave Preston: Miami Heat | New Orleans Pelicans Rob Woodfork: Philadelphia 76ers | Minnesota Timberwolves (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 28: Ed Davis #17 of the Portland Trail Blazers shoots the ball during the game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on February 28, 2016 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
What playoff teams from last year will miss the playoffs this year? Chris Cichon: Chicago Bulls | Memphis Grizzlies J. Brooks: Indiana Pacers | Portland Trail Blazers Noah Frank: Chicago Bulls | Portland Trail Blazers Dave Preston: Indiana Pacers | LA Clippers Rob Woodfork: Indiana Pacers | Utah Jazz (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 29: Ian Mahinmi #28 and Otto Porter Jr. #22 of the Washington Wizards surround Blake Griffin #32 of the LA Clippers on the floor during a 133-124 Clipper win at Staples Center on March 29, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Which Wizards bench player (non-Kelly Oubre Jr. department) will have the most impact this year? Chris Cichon: Jodie Meeks J. Brooks: Carrick Felix Noah Frank: Jodie Meeks Dave Preston: Ian Mahinmi Rob Woodfork: Ian Mahinmi (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Photo by Harry How/Getty Images
BOSTON, MA - MAY 15: John Wall #2 of the Washington Wizards reacts against the Boston Celtics during Game Seven of the NBA Eastern Conference Semi-Finals at TD Garden on May 15, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Where will John Wall finish in the MVP vote? Chris Cichon: 10th J. Brooks: 3rd Noah Frank: 4th Dave Preston: 4th Rob Woodfork: 3rd (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Photo by Elsa/Getty Images
CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 17: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on while playing the Boston Celtics during the first half at Quicken Loans Arena on October 17, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Who will win MVP? Chris Cichon: LeBron James J. Brooks: Russell Westbrook Noah Frank: LeBron James Dave Preston: LeBron James Rob Woodfork: Kevin Durant (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 13: Members of the Washington Wizards react on the bench in the first half against the New York Knicks during their game at Madison Square Garden on October 13, 2017 in New York City. User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
How many games will the Wizards win and what seed will they be in the EC playoffs (if they make it)? Chris Cichon: 46 | 5th J. Brooks: 46 | 5th Noah Frank: 48 | 4th Dave Preston: 50 | 3rd Rob Woodfork: 50 | 3rd (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images
OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 12: The Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy is held following the Golden State Warriors 129-120 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 5 to win the 2017 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 12, 2017 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
What is your NBA Finals prediction? Chris Cichon: Warriors over Cavaliers J. Brooks: Spurs over Celtics Noah Frank: Warriors over Celtics Dave Preston: Celtics over Warriors Rob Woodfork: Warriors over Cavaliers (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
CAMDEN, NJ - SEPTEMBER 25: Ben Simmons #25, Joel Embiid #21 and Markelle Fultz #20 of the Philadelphia 76ers pose for the camera during the Philadelphia 76ers Media Day on September 25, 2017 at the Philadelphia 76ers Training Complex in Camden, New Jersey.NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
What is your one bold prediction for the season? Chris Cichon: Billy Donovan is fired midseason J. Brooks: LeBron doesn’t finish the season Noah Frank: “The Process” yields a playoff berth and a first-round upset in Philadelphia Dave Preston: Markieff Morris never gets right and misses more games than he plays Rob Woodfork: Joel Embiid plays 80 games, makes the All-Star team (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images
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OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 12: Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors goes up for a shot against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 5 of the 2017 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 12, 2017 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Monica Davey/Pool/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 17: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics looks on while playing the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first half at Quicken Loans Arena on October 17, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 10: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder brings the ball down the court against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center on October 10, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO - OCTOBER 13: Erik McCree #22 of the Miami Heat shoots during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Sprint Center on October 13, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 28: Ed Davis #17 of the Portland Trail Blazers shoots the ball during the game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on February 28, 2016 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 29: Ian Mahinmi #28 and Otto Porter Jr. #22 of the Washington Wizards surround Blake Griffin #32 of the LA Clippers on the floor during a 133-124 Clipper win at Staples Center on March 29, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - MAY 15: John Wall #2 of the Washington Wizards reacts against the Boston Celtics during Game Seven of the NBA Eastern Conference Semi-Finals at TD Garden on May 15, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 17: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on while playing the Boston Celtics during the first half at Quicken Loans Arena on October 17, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 13: Members of the Washington Wizards react on the bench in the first half against the New York Knicks during their game at Madison Square Garden on October 13, 2017 in New York City. User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 12: The Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy is held following the Golden State Warriors 129-120 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 5 to win the 2017 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 12, 2017 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
CAMDEN, NJ - SEPTEMBER 25: Ben Simmons #25, Joel Embiid #21 and Markelle Fultz #20 of the Philadelphia 76ers pose for the camera during the Philadelphia 76ers Media Day on September 25, 2017 at the Philadelphia 76ers Training Complex in Camden, New Jersey.NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)

What will happen this NBA season? The WTOP Sports staff makes league-wide and local predictions.

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