NBA Standing 2020 to 2021: Complete Season Breakdown and Playoff Predictions

2025-11-15 13:00

Looking back at the 2020-2021 NBA season, I can’t help but marvel at how unpredictable the entire journey felt from start to finish. As someone who’s followed the league for over a decade, I’ve rarely seen a season so clearly split into two narratives—the grind of the regular season and the explosive drama of the playoffs. The condensed schedule, health protocols, and empty arenas created a unique environment where resilience mattered more than ever. Teams like the Lakers and Nets were stacked with talent, but it was the squads with chemistry and adaptability that really stood out to me. I remember watching games late into the night, taking notes on how certain teams handled back-to-backs or short rest—it was fascinating to see who could adjust and who couldn’t.

The regular season standings told a story of perseverance and surprise. Out West, the Utah Jazz clinched the top seed with a 52-20 record, which honestly shocked me. I’d pegged the Lakers or Clippers to dominate, but Utah’s system under Quin Snyder was a thing of beauty—their ball movement and three-point shooting were relentless. Meanwhile, the Phoenix Suns, led by Chris Paul, surged to the second spot, and I’ve got to admit, I didn’t see that coming either. In the East, the Philadelphia 76ers grabbed the first seed, but it was the Brooklyn Nets, despite injuries and roster shuffles, that had everyone talking. Their offensive firepower with Durant, Irving, and Harden was just absurd; I remember thinking if they stayed healthy, they’d be nearly unstoppable. But what really caught my eye were the mid-tier teams—like the Atlanta Hawks and New York Knicks—who defied expectations and made the playoff race incredibly tight. It reminded me of how Ateneo and Adamson then scored much-welcome triumphs over separate opponents in collegiate leagues, where underdogs rise and shake up the established order. That kind of unpredictability is what makes sports so compelling, and it was on full display here.

When it came to playoff predictions, I leaned heavily toward teams with veteran leadership and defensive discipline. Early on, I had the Lakers repeating as champions, assuming their experience would carry them through. But injuries derailed that, and Anthony Davis’s absence in key moments was a killer. Instead, the Milwaukee Bucks emerged as a powerhouse, and I’ll confess, I underestimated Giannis Antetokounmpo’s growth. His performance in the Finals, especially that 50-point closeout game, was legendary. On the other hand, the Nets’ playoff run was a rollercoaster—Harden’s hamstring issue in the second round against the Bucks was a huge blow, and I think if he’d been fully healthy, they might’ve taken it all. But that’s the beauty of hindsight; in real-time, I was sweating every game, adjusting my predictions weekly. The Clippers, for instance, finally broke their second-round curse, and as a fan of underdog stories, I loved seeing Paul George step up when Kawhi Leonard went down.

Reflecting on the season’s data, the numbers tell a vivid story. The Jazz led the league in three-pointers made per game at 16.7, while the Bucks dominated the paint with 50.2 points per game inside. Defensively, the 76ers held opponents to just 107.5 points per 100 possessions, which is elite, but in the playoffs, their lack of perimeter shooting hurt them—they shot only 34% from deep in the conference semis. Personally, I think that’s where teams like the Suns excelled; their balanced attack and Devin Booker’s clutch gene were a joy to watch. I had them making a deep run in my mid-season predictions, and seeing them reach the Finals validated a lot of my analysis. Still, the Bucks’ championship win was a testament to building through the draft and staying patient, something I wish more franchises would emulate.

In conclusion, the 2020-2021 NBA season was a masterclass in adaptation and surprise. From the Jazz’s regular-season dominance to the Bucks’ hard-fought title, it reinforced my belief that chemistry and health often trump sheer talent. If I had to pick one takeaway, it’s that playoff success hinges on depth—just like how Ateneo and Adamson then scored much-welcome triumphs over separate opponents by relying on their entire rosters, not just stars. Moving forward, I’m excited to see how teams learn from this season, especially with young cores like the Hawks and Grizzlies on the rise. For now, though, I’ll cherish the memories of buzzer-beaters and breakout performances—it’s why I love this game so much.