Finally, it’s that time of the year! The NBA Playoffs are amongst us and we are ready to see a new champion be crowned. Despite many thinking this was going to be a relatively boring and predictable regular season, there were plenty of surprises that occurred, that could impact the league’s direction for the years to come. For example, teams like Philly and Utah coming out of nowhere to contend is a welcome sight for all basketball fans. Now, let’s get started with the predictions…
Eastern Conference
(1) Toronto Raptors vs (8) Washington Wizards
Raptors sweep the Wizards to win the series in 4 games.
This Raptors team is unlike the other contending teams of prior seasons. Their mastery in shooting and distributing the basketball, will make it tough for a very sporadic Wizards team to contend with. Toronto should win this series with ease.
(2) Boston Celtics vs (7) Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks pull off the upset victory over the Celtics in 6 games.
Boston is not in a great position as we speak, as they have experienced season-ending injuries to their two best players in Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward, in addition to having a poor end of the regular season, losing 4 of their last 7 games, to mainly subpar teams. We now have a matchup between two overall beatable teams. I anticipate “the Greek Freak” Giannis Antetokounmpo to help his team prevail over the C’s and allow the Bucks to advance to the second round.
(3) Philadelphia 76ers vs (6) Miami Heat
“The Process” prevails over Heat “Culture” in a hard fought 7 game series.
As a Heat fan this is a tough pill to swallow. Despite the youth of this 76ers team, their talent and momentum from the closing of the regular season will continue in this series, and will allow them to advance. Philly is coming off a 16 game winning streak, where in the very last game of the season, rookie and number 1 overall pick, Markelle Fultz became the youngest player in NBA history to get a triple double in a game. On the other side, the Miami Heat will be looking to use their playoff-experienced players and respected coaching to their benefit.
(4) Cleveland Cavaliers vs (5) Indiana Pacers
LeBron and the Cavs win this series in 5 games.
This is a very intriguing matchups between two very tough teams. When it’s all said and done though, “playoff LeBron James” is a being from another planet and has the ability to will his team over almost any opponent that stands in their way. This should not be an exception to the rule. The Cavs should make “easy work” of this youthful Pacers team.
Western Conference
(1) Houston Rockets vs (8) Minnesota Timberwolves
Houston easily wins this series in 5 games
Houston is by far the best offensive team in the league, lead by the MVP-elect James Harden and proven superstar Chris Paul. I would’ve had them sweeping this series, but I anticipate the T-Wolves winning their first playoff game at home in over 13 years. Regardless of that assumption, the Rockets should cruise to the second round.
(2) Golden State Warriors vs (7) San Antonio Spurs
The injured Warriors beat the Kawhi Leonard-less Spurs in 6 games
The Warriors, even without Stephen Curry, are still the strong favorites in this series and to possibly repeat as champions this year. I still expect that even without Kawhi Leonard, that through the coaching of Gregg Popovich and the experience of the Spurs, it will be a hard fought series.
(3) Portland Trailblazers vs (6) New Orleans Pelicans
The Blazers will prove to be too much for the Pelicans and win in 6 games
Both of these teams could be seen as surprises of the season, as both were debated out of the playoff conversation before the season started. New Orleans will fight hard, and rely hugely on Anthony Davis, but without DeMarcus Cousins on the court, they lose a huge star. This injury will prove to be too much to overcome for the Pelicans, as the trigger-happy Trailblazers will win this series.
(4) Oklahoma City Thunder vs (5) Utah Jazz
OKC wins in 7 games against the up-and-coming Jazz.
This matchup will consist of extremely closely contested, and back and forth games. Last season’s MVP Russell Westbrook, who just became the first player in NBA history to average a triple double in back to back seasons, vs rookie star Donovan Mitchell is something that even the casual basketball fan will be looking forward to watching. I predict that the star power of the Thunder will prove to be too much in the closing minutes of Game 7, and they will earn the victory.