A contender is a team that has a real chance of reaching the Finals. The West is so stacked they have 6 contenders meanwhile the East only has 2 true contenders.

East Contenders:

  1. Boston Celtics
  2. Milwaukee Bucks

West Contenders:

  1. Denver Nuggets
  2. Dallas Mavericks
  3. Golden State Warriors
  4. Phoenix Suns
  5. Los Angeles Clippers
  6. Los Angeles Lakers