By Round 2 of the NBA playoffs is underway and here are my predictions for this upcoming round!
Eastern Conference
#1 Philadelphia 76ers vs. #5 Atlanta Hawks: Hawks vs. Sixers should be an easy series for the Sixers but with Joel Embiid out with a possible torn meniscus this could be a series the Hawks steal. As much as I want to see Trae Young advance this should be the where Ben Simmons over and carries the 76ers on to the conference finals, so I have the 76ers winning in 7 games.
#2 Brooklyn Nets vs. #3 Milwaukee Bucks: This series will possibly decide who represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA finals. The Nets are the heavy favorites but the Bucks are the perfect match up to stop the Nets especially with combo guard Jrue Holiday being able to defend Nets stars James Harden or Kyrie Irving so I have the Bucks winning this series in 6 games.
Western Conference
#2 Phoenix Suns vs. #3 Denver Nuggets: This match up could decide who represents the West. The Suns and Nuggets will be a highly entertaining series, from Chris Paul vs. Nikola Jokic to head coach Monty Williams vs. Mike Malone this series has some plot twists. As much as I want to see Chris Paul succeed, I have the Nuggets winning this in 7 games because the soon to be named MVP Nikola Jokic will take it to another level and take the Nuggets over the top.
#1 Utah Jazz vs. #4 Los Angeles Clippers: Our last match up could an upset if you think about it, the Clippers who are coming off an impressive series win over the Dallas Mavericks could upset the well-rested Utah Jazz. Despite the Jazz being the #1 seed, I don’t think their good enough to eliminate a gamed Clippers team who will push them to their limits and win this series in 6 games.