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With Round One of the playoffs wrapping up Sunday night and some of the Round 2 series starting yesterday, here are my second-round predictions on a slight delay, along with some takeaways from the first round.
Eastern Conference
# 1 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. #4 Indiana Pacers
Winner: Cavs in 7
I am starting with what will be the best basketball series in the second round, Pacers and Cavaliers, which began with a good game one Sunday night. This will be the first challenge for the Cavs after sleepwalking a sweep over the Heat; now they are playing a Pacers team that should be taken seriously as a threat to the Cavs and Celtics. This series is going seven games, which will be great for the league, but as dangerous as Indiana has been, I will stick to my gut and say the Cavaliers take this competitive series.
#2 Boston Celtics vs. #3 New York Knicks
Winner: Celtics in 6
The Knicks and Celtics face off in the other Eastern Conference matchup. I would love to see Jalen Brunson’s legend grow by defeating the defending champs. Unfortunately, we live in the real world, where the Knicks’ lack of depth and lack of offensive creation from Thibs will be why they lose this series, as Boston wins the series in six games.
Western Conference
#1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. #4 Denver Nuggets
Winner: Thunder in 6
The second most intriguing series of the second round is a classic battle between the two top candidates for regular season MVP. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads the young Thunder against Nikola Jokic and a tough Nuggets team that survived an incredible series against the Clippers. Suppose Oklahoma City is a legit contender in this series. In that case, we must see Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, or someone else step up as the second option and not disappear like last postseason. Jokic has been sensational and is getting the most out of this crazy team situation. Still, I cannot see Denver pulling another rabbit out of the hat, and I am picking the Thunder to win this in seven games, while being the stage for SGA to be the new MVP and household name.
#6 Minnesota Timberwolves vs. #7 Golden State Warriors
Winner: Timberwolves in 6
The last series will have some explosive moments. The Timberwolves, coming off an impressive series win over the Lakers, faced the Golden State Warriors, whose playoff grit led them to defeat the young upstart Rockets, setting up an unpredictable series. We can bank on some shenanigans between Draymond Green and Rudy Gobert, as well as Anthony Edwards continuing his legend-killer journey playing against Stephen Curry. I know a love affair with Kerr, Curry, and Draymond is unsurprising, but Ant-Man will take down another legend, taking his rightful place as one of the newer, young stars in the NBA. I’m taking Minnesota in six games.
Now, here are some takeaways I had from the first round.
Houston, we have a shooting problem.
Houston had an incredible breakout season this year, but their offense struggles were front and center in the first-round loss to the Warriors. The Rockets need more shooting and shot creation that doesn’t come from Fred VanVleet, Jalen Green did not come through, and Amen Thompson is still a project. Still, this summer, Houston has to fix this problem, whether it’s trading for Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, or someone else who can handle the burden of late-game shot taking and making for Houston to take the next step.
Giannis Watch starts now!
This next one is low-hanging fruit, but Giannis Watch has officially started! After another first-round exit by the Pacers, the looming question of whether Giannis will ask out of Milwaukee will be the big topic of this summer. Antetokounmpo has been loyal to the Bucks franchise, but the future of the Bucks is not promising, which means that a way out to keep him competing for titles is the only option. Whether it’s New York, LA, Miami, Houston, or a total surprise team, I expect Giannis to change teams this summer and not waste his remaining prime years.
Heartbreaking times in Memphis
Another player and his future that could grab some attention this summer is what will happen in Memphis between the Grizzlies and Ja Morant. The Grizzlies seem to be in a state of chaos, especially coming into the playoffs, but it looks like the feeling on the high-flying phenom, and knucklehead, has divided in Graceland. Morant’s continuing injury woes, paired with the continued failure of his ascension and the team’s success, could be the breaking point where the once-unthinkable question is now quite possible: Is it time to trade Ja Morant? We shall see what unfolds this summer with Morant and the Grizzlies’ future.
