IT’S TIME: First round NBA playoffs predictions
WELP!
The wait is finally over. It’s the most wonderful time of the year.
The NBA Playoffs begin today after the play-in tournament finished last night. The Atlanta Hawks and New Orleans Pelicans emerged as the eighth seeds of their respective conferences, setting up dates against the top-seeded Miami Heat and the Phoenix Suns.
Here are the teams who will advance to the second round in those and every other series of this year’s exciting playoffs.
OUT EAST
Miami Heat (1) vs. Atlanta Hawks (8)
HEAT IN 5
The John Collins injury was a huge loss but not so catastrophic that Atlanta can’t get at least get a game in this series. Trae Young IS the biggest star of the matchup and can get the Hawks at least one — if not two — victories. He’s that special.
The Heat are a band of bullies led by Jimmy Butler and Kyle Lowry who are the epitome of toughness, which is the team’s identity. They’re not the most talented team in the playoffs but collectively, they’re a superstar.
Boston Celtics (2) vs. Brooklyn Nets (7)
CELTICS IN 7
My gut is screaming to go in the other direction but just this once I want to believe that Marcus Smart, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown can prove they are ready to take the next step.
A win over Brooklyn would be a definitive statement they’ve finally arrived and are ready to become a Finals contenders.
With a new head coach in Ime Udoka who has done an excellent job his first year, the C’s will get it done.
The ONLY caveat that can derail Boston is Ben Simmons’ return. If he comes back and plays consistently and worry-free, the Nets won’t stop at just a first-round series. They’ll make it to the Finals.
Milwaukee Bucks (3) vs. Chicago Bulls (6)
BUCKS SWEEP
Listen, I love this Chicago team with its fun roster and teeming potential. Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan are stars who are surrounded by an even stronger squad that have a chance to be special if they stay together for a couple of more years.
Unfortunately, they drew a baaaad matchup in the first round because Milwaukee is too much for the Bulls who have no answer for the three-headed monster that is Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday. The Bucks are playing free with a championship swag no team outside of the Warriors or Brooklyn can match.
The Bucks also have long bodies everywhere (Serge Ibaka, Bobby Portis, Brook Lopez) that will give the Bulls fits defensively and offensively. The Lonzo Ball injury doesn’t help the Bulls’ case, as he will be out or the rest of the season. I would at least give them a game if he were playing.
In any case, see ya next year Chicago.
Philadelphia 76ers (4) vs. Toronto Raptors (5)
RAPTORS IN 7
I don’t know what’s gotten into these Raps who won 14 of their last 18 games of the season but they look like they plan to remind the world of just who the 2019 World Champions were.
This team at its core is special with the wonderful championship coaching of Nick Nurse and Big Three Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet and Gary Trent Jr. OG Anunoby is an OG and they have rookie of the year candidate Scottie Barnes.
Toronto is legit and have enough to knock off star-studded Philly. Frankly, James Harden, Joel Embiid and head coach Doc Rivers’ playoff track records haven’t been the best for several years now and I don’t expect that to change this year.
I’d like to be wrong. I want to see 76ers succeed but maybe Harden got himself into another situation where the pressure will get the best of him.
Philly’s sheer talent will carry the series to seven games and then they will fold under the pressure.
THE WEST
Phoenix Suns (1) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (8)
SUNS SWEEP
The new-look New Orleans Pelicans led by former Blazer CJ McCollum and Brandon Ingram are a nice team. They’re fun with honestly nothing to lose in the series.
Well, nothing except for the series itself. Zion Williamson doesn’t looks like he’ll return in time to save Pelicans from the onslaught they’re about receive.
Phoenix is just too good with too much star power and possibly the best supporting cast in the league. They’ll soon be home enjoying the playoffs when they easily get past the Pelicans and are waiting for the second round to begin.
Memphis Grizzlies (2) vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (7)
GRIZZLIES IN 6
This series has the potential to go seven games because the star power is electric with Memphis’ Ja Morant and Minnesota’s Karl Anthony-Towns, Anthony Edwards and D’Angelo Russell. Add in the dramatics of Patrick Beverly and I’m willing to say this will be my favorite series of the first round.
The elite Grizzlies, who went 20-5 without their star, will separate themselves and put away Minnesota, though. The wildest thing about them is that they have six guys averaging double figures this season and have another five players who CAN get you double figures on any night.
YES, the Grizzlies are for real and aren’t afraid of anyone. They want the smoke.
And if anyone has that smoke, it’s the Wolves.
Golden State Warriors (3) vs. Denver Nuggets (6)
WARRIORS IN 6
This whole series hangs on the contingency of whether or not Warriors superstar Steph Curry can play. IF Curry is ruled out the remainder of the series — which doesn’t look like that’ll be the case — Denver will win.
I believe in Nikola Jokić and his superstar power to take over. The Warriors are elite when Steph, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson are all healthy and together. When it’s only one or two of them, they are just a good team.
IF for some reason Jokic’s co-star Jamal Murray returns in this series and the Warriors are all healthy — Warriors in 7.
Dallas Mavericks (4) vs. Utah Jazz (5)
MAVERICKS IN 7
This series will also have some fireworks as Utah’s Donovan Mitchell battles against Dallas’ Luka Doncic. Doncic’s health is a huge question mark. So much so that he’ll miss the first game.
If the superstar is able to go, though, they’ll advance past the Jazz who are a poor road team. He’ll be too much for the Jazz to handle.
By now, the Jazz should be contending for a Finals appearance but something seems to be off. They have elite guards, a great center and a solid bench. Maybe the wing positions could use an upgrade.
No time to figure that out now. Their current personnel will just have to play better to get past Luka and the boys.