L.A. Times 2020-21 NBA season predictions: Lakers will repeat

The Times’ NBA crew of Dan Woike, Broderick Turner and Andrew Greif forecast the postseason and major award winners:

PLAYOFF QUALIFIERS

(in order of seeding)

West

Woike: Lakers, Clippers, Denver, Utah, Portland, Dallas, Phoenix, Golden State

Turner: Lakers, Clippers, Denver, Portland, Dallas, Utah, Golden State, Houston

Greif: Lakers, Clippers, Denver, Portland, Dallas, Utah, Phoenix, Houston,

East

Woike: Milwaukee, Boston, Miami, Brooklyn, Philadelphia, Toronto, Washington, Atlanta

Turner: Milwaukee, Brooklyn, Boston, Toronto, Philadelphia, Miami, Indiana, Atlanta

Greif: Milwaukee, Brooklyn, Boston, Miami, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Raptors, Indiana

Conference finals

Woike: Lakers over Clippers; Boston over Milwaukee

Turner: Lakers over Denver; Boston over Milwaukee

Greif: Lakers over Clippers; Milwaukee over Phila.

Sports

Complete coverage: 2020-21 NBA season preview

From the expected load management to the unknown of a pandemic-stricken season with no bubble protection, the 2020-21 NBA season will offer unique challenges.

Dec. 21, 2020

NBA champion

Woike: Lakers

Turner: Lakers

Greif: Lakers

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER

(plus runner-up, 3rd)

Woike: Anthony Davis (Luka Doncic, Giannis Antetokounmpo)

Turner: Davis (Doncic, Antetokounmpo)

Greif: Doncic (Davis, Joel Embiid)

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

Woike: Obi Toppin, New York

Turner: Anthony Edwards, Minnesota

Greif: Obi Toppin, New York