By The NBA playoffs is here! One of the most wonderful times of the year is underway and here are my predictions for the first round of the playoffs.
Eastern Conference
#1 Philadelphia 76ers vs. #8 Washington Wizards: This series should be a gentlemen’s sweep regardless of the efforts from Russell Westbrook and Bradley Beal, so with that said I have the 76ers winning this in 5 games.
#2 Brooklyn Nets vs. #7 Boston Celtics: The Brooklyn Nets are considered the odds on favorite to come out of the eastern conference, so the road begins with a tough out in Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics. This is going to be a challenge for the Nets as they will win the series in 7 games.
#3 Milwaukee Bucks vs. #6 Miami Heat: A rematch from last year’s playoffs, Bucks vs. Heat has upset alert written all over it. Can Giannis carry the Bucks to the promise land or will they fall short again to a Heat team that is dangerous as ever. This is tough to call but I’m going to go with the Bucks redemption in 7 games.
#4 New York Knicks vs. Atlanta Hawks: The New York Knicks are back in the playoffs! And this match up is entertaining as the Atlanta Hawks led by Trae Young could upset the Knicks but in 6 games the Knicks will take care of business and win the series, now to the western conference.
Western Conference
#1 Utah Jazz vs. Memphis Grizzlies: Is this the year the Utah Jazz make a deep playoff run? Hopefully so as game as Ja Morant and the Grizzlies may be the Jazz will win this series in 5 games.
#2 Phoenix Suns vs. #7 Los Angeles Lakers: Not a typo the Lakers are the 7th seed and could face not repeating as champions. As much as it is smart to not bet against LeBron James this may be the year to do as I have the Suns winning this in 7 games.
#3 Denver Nuggets vs. #7 Portland Trailblazers: The Nikola Jokic MVP campaign enters the playoffs and will roll deep into the postseason unfortunately Damian Lillard and the Trailblazers fall victim to the Nuggets in 6 games.
#4 Los Angeles Clippers vs. #5 Dallas Mavericks: Another rematch from last postseason but the pressure is on the Clippers. Luka Doncic leads to the Mavericks into battle but will again fall a little short to Kawhi Leonard and the clippers in 7 games.