NBA First Round Predictions
The NBA Playoffs are finally here. Below are my predictions for the first-round matchups.
Eastern Conference
(1) Toronto Raptors vs. (8) Washington Wizards. This is a brutal draw for the Raptors. Not that they can’t win, but the Wizards are not your typical 8th seed in large part due to the fact that John Wall missed a large portion of the season with a knee injury. With that said, I think Toronto’s bench will be too much for Washington to handle. Raptors in 6.
(4) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (5) Indiana Pacers. This one is pretty simple: the Cavaliers have LeBron James and the Pacers don’t. I think the Pacers will keep it competitive with the improved play of Victor Oladipo, but playoff LeBron is another animal. Cavaliers in 5.
(3) Philadelphia 76ers vs. (6) Miami Heat. Joel Embiid’s health is still a question mark, but it won’t matter in this series. The Sixers are absolutely rolling. I think Philadelphia’s inexperience will show, but Ben Simmons will be too much for Erik Spoelstra and Miami to handle. Sixers in 6.
(2) Boston Celtics vs. (7) Milwaukee Bucks. This series will be a good litmus test for the value of coaching in the NBA. Boston is without Gordon Hayward and Kyrie Irving and will be squaring off with one of the NBA’s supreme young talents in Giannis Antetokounmpo. Can Brad Stevens deploy a game plan to knock off Milwaukee? I think he can and I think Boston wins decisively. Celtics in 5.
Western Conference
(1) Houston Rockets vs. (8) Minnesota Timberwolves. Minnesota barely squeaked into the postseason and they will barely last. Karl-Anthony Towns is a budding superstar, but he and Jimmy Butler cannot defeat James Harden and Chris Paul in Mike D’Antoni’s system. I expect the Rockets to steamroll the Wolves. Rockets in 4.
(4) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (5) Utah Jazz. The Thunder have been a roller-coaster all season. When they show up, they can go toe-to-toe with any team in the league. When they don’t, they’re a dumpster fire. Due to Oklahoma City’s large degree of variance in conjunction with Utah’s scorching play since late January, I am siding with the Jazz. Utah’s suffocating defense, anchored by Rudy Gobert, will prove to be the difference in a hard-fought series. Jazz in 7.
(3) Portland Trail Blazers vs. (6) New Orleans Pelicans. AD is a matchup nightmare for all of NBA, but particularly the Blazers. Portland doesn’t have anyone who can reasonably check The Brow. Ultimately, it won’t matter though as CJ and Dame will prove to be too much for a depleted Pelicans backcourt. Trail Blazers in 6.
(2) Golden State Warriors vs. (7) San Antonio Spurs. The Warriors got damn lucky with their draw. Without Curry, Golden State is as vulnerable as they have been and had they matched-up with any other Western Conference playoff opponent I would have seriously contemplated picking against the defending champs. The Warriors have been abysmal over their last dozen games or so, but their focus will be there for the playoffs. The Spurs, without Kawhi, will put up a valiant effort before inevitably falling short. Warriors in 5.
