2018 NBA Playoff Predictions – Round 1

After months of anticipation, we’ve finally made it past Game 82 of the NBA season. Unlike in years past when the Cavaliers’ and Warriors’ paths have been primarily predetermined, 2018 promises to pose some problems. With many of the teams’ seedings getting clinched on the final day of the regular season, the winners of this wide open field are anyone’s guess. Let’s take a look at mine.

(1) Houston Rockets vs. (8) Minnesota Timberwolves

The Timberwolves have one of my favorite rosters in the NBA, and it’s always so strange to me that they never make the playoffs. Well, after 13 years of torture, they finally did it. They are healthy and hungry, but unfortunately they square up against one of the most dangerous backcourts in the NBA in Chris Paul and James Harden. As with most of the series across the playoffs this year, it won’t be a runaway, but I don’t see Harden going down this early. Also, maybe this is the year CP3 finally makes it to the conference finals for the first time in his career.

Prediction: Rockets dominate home court; win in 5.

 

(4) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (5) Utah Jazz

It was heartbreak for the Jazz on the last day of the regular season as they went from a 3 seed ready to take on OKC with home court, to a 5 seed taking on the Thunder from the road. As much as I hate the Thunder’s dynamic, and as right as I was that they would be nowhere close to people’s preseason expectations, I think April 11 was indicative of both teams’ potential this week despite the excellence of Donovan Mitchell. I don’t think the egos in Oklahoma will last too long, but Russell Westbrook can take it over for the time being.

Prediction: Thunder sweep the only team that I had outside of my top 8.

 

(3) Portland Trailblazers vs. (6) New Orleans Pelicans

This one should be very interesting. Of course, a healthy Demarcus Cousins would add an interesting layer to the opposing strengths of the Blazers and Pelicans, but Anthony Davis vs. Damian Lillard will have to do. It’s a little difficult to predict exactly how this series will go because Portland is guard-oriented with plenty of 3s and jump shots, while the Pelicans prefer grinding out points in the paint. They will both find success throughout the series, but in the long run I’m picking the Blazers’ backcourt to stay hot.

Prediction: Blazers have to battle, but win in 6.

 

(2) Golden State Warriors vs. (7) San Antonio Spurs

Right, neither of the faces above will be playing in this series. Kawhi Leonard has been dealing with a nagging quad and ankle since last postseason, and Stephen Curry will miss the first round with a sprained MCL. For me, this keeps the intrigue at net zero. The Spurs haven’t missed the playoffs since the Mesozoic Era, and the Warriors have been NBA Finals favorites for the last 3 years and counting. Even without two of the league’s stars, we’re going to see a chess match between NBA coaching’s finest in both Steve Kerr and Gregg Popovich. But when the dust clears, it’ll be a quick exit for the team from Texas.

Prediction: Warriors return to full strength after ousting Spurs in 5.

 

(1) Toronto Raptors vs. (8) Washington Wizards

Believe it or not, this is the series that I’m most excited for. We have two of the best guard duos in the NBA going head-to-head at full strength: John Wall and Bradley Beal for Washington vs. Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan for Toronto. Every game will be high-scoring, the fans will be insane, and the action on the court will be riveting up to the final seconds of Game 7. The difference will be the fact that the Wizards have struggled without Wall as of late, but he is a guy that can jump back in and jump start the Wizards at anytime. However, it is so difficult to win up in ‘The North’, and when this thing ultimately goes the distance, we will see another D.C. playoff crumble.

Prediction: Raptors survive and advance in 7.

 

(4) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (5) Indiana Pacers

What a mismatch. I don’t know how we got so unlucky with the 4-5 matchups this year, but LeBron James and Co. are going to tear through Indiana. The only question will be if they can do it in 4 games or in 5. Victor Oladipo is the catalyst for the Pacers, but he’s not the kind of guy that can carry a team through the playoffs. When you’re going up against the best player on the planet, and a city that wants to prove the world wrong and reclaim a title, things are going to get messy,

Prediction: Cavs start Spring cleaning; sweep Pacers.

 

(3) Philadelphia 76ers vs. (6) Miami Heat

If there’s a team in the NBA hotter than the 76ers, I’d love to see them. Winners of 16 straight, ‘The Process’ has paid off big time. Ben Simmons is playing out of his mind, Joel Embiid is back on the floor, and everyone in Pennsylvania is excited for a historic run from the red, white and blue. In their way stands playoff veteran Dwayne Wade, but at this stage in his career, he will not be able to carry more than a leadership role for Miami. Hassan Whiteside can definitely play with Embiid, but the Heat are going to be very outmatched in this one.

Prediction: 76ers stay hot and move on after 5.

 

(2) Boston Celtics vs. (7) Milwaukee Bucks

No Gordon Hayward, no Kyrie Irving, no problem? Well, not exactly for the Celtics. They have a diverse group of talent including future stars Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, but they aren’t playoff-tested yet. Their first exam is the freak-of an-athlete Giannis Antetokounmpo (first time I spelled that correctly on the first try). The Bucks’ big man has so much length, and he is dangerous anytime the ball is nearby. It’s going to be a grind-it-out-battle for Boston, and overall it probably won’t be the playoff run they were looking for in the preseason, but I have to go with my pick for NBA Champions for at least one round.

Prediction: Celtics manage to stave off the Bucks in 5.

 

*Yeah, I picked all of the favorites. Sue me.

2017 NBA Playoffs Predictions – Round 1

The bracket is set, and the road to the Larry O’Brien Trophy begins this weekend. There’s a lot to watch for, as the defending champs look to retain their crown, while the runner-ups try to avenge their infamous 3-1 blown lead. Meanwhile, resurgent teams will attempt to shake things up. Let’s take a look at how the first round will go down.

Golden State Warriors (1) vs. Portland Trailblazers (8)

The Trailblazers’ reward for outlasting the Denver Nuggets for the last playoff spot is a date with the 2-time defending Western Conference champions. This Warriors team is, of course, a little different from years past. Kevin Durant has made a huge impact this season, and although he was recently sidelined with a knee injury, he has returned to the lineup just in time for the playoffs. The Blazers feature a 3-point barrage of talented point guard Damian Lillard, C.J. McCollum, and Allen Crabbe. However, expect Golden State’s sharpshooters Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson to match them shot-for-shot.

Prediction: The only question is whether or not Portland can win a game at home. I’ll say yes- Warriors cruise in 5.

Los Angeles Clippers (4) vs. Utah Jazz (5)

The Utah Jazz and the Los Angeles Clippers finished with identical 51-31 records, but the Clippers were able to snag home court by winning the season series 3-1. That might be very appropriate for how this series will go. Both also have identical 29-12 home records, among the best in the NBA. With both teams suffering playoffs droughts (Jazz haven’t won a playoff game since 2010; Chris Paul is about to have the NBA record for most playoff games without appearing in the Conference Finals), it’s going to be a question of who wants it more. At the end of the day, it’s L.A.’s veteran shortcomings vs. Utah’s youth and inexperience.

Prediction: A hard-fought series goes the distance, just like these teams’ regular season battle – Jazz wins Game 7 in OT.

Houston Rockets (3) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (6)

If you only have time to watch one series, make it this one. The two best players of the 2017 season are going head-to-head on and off the court. All season experts have weighed in on whether the Rockets’ James Harden or the Thunder’s Russell Westbrook should be MVP. Now, the two will have a chance to go 1-on-1 in a grudge match after the votes have been cast. Westbrook is a machine, breaking the great Oscar Robertson’s once unbreakable 41 triple-doubles in a season record by 1. Without Durant in OKC, he has really shined as a premier player and the focal point of the Thunder. But Harden’s supporting cast as boosted Houston to get 8 more wins and home court advantage.

Prediction: An incredible back-and-forth series ends in game 6, Rockets advance.

MVP Prediction: PLEASE give it to Russell Westbrook. Not even a debate in my mind… just saying.

San Antonio Spurs (2) vs. Memphis Grizzlies (7)

The Grizzlies have made an impressive 6-straight playoff appearances, but the Spurs have only missed the playoffs once since 1989. I’m not sure anyone can comprehend how incredible that is. Even Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls “only” made the playoffs 14 times in a row and, at best, 20 appearances in any 27-year span. So, it’s fair to say this isn’t coach Gregg Popovich’s first time around the block. With Tim Duncan retiring, Kawhi Leonard has stepped up and had an incredible year. He does it all and never stops hustling from the opening layup to the clutch buzzer-beaters. Mike Conley Jr. will have a big series, but the Grizzlies will have their hands full with this tough opening draw.

Prediction: Get your brooms ready, Spurs easily sweep past the Grizzlies in 4.

Boston Celtics (1) vs. Chicago Bulls (8)

This matchup of all-time great franchises will exceed expectations. Jimmy Butler’s Bulls are far more talented than their record implies, and they have serious upset potential. Also, the Eastern Conference has been much more evenly competitive than the West this year, and this series will prove it. Skillful 5’9″ point guard Isiah Thomas led Boston to a surprise run at the #1 seed, but they face a very tough matchup with Chicago. Butler and Thomas are both incredible athletes that make their teams better. The game will be won when the Celtics have the ball. Boston can score in bunches and have shown excellent ball movement through Thomas, but Chicago’s claim to fame has always been scrappy defense and getting rebounds.

Prediction: After splitting the season series, Boston wins the tiebreaker in game 7.

Washington Wizards (4) vs. Atlanta Hawks (5)

What seemed to be an epic collapse by the Hawks turned into a solid rebound as they clinched the 5 seed by winning 4 of the last 5 games. Meanwhile the Wizards have held steady as the 4th best team all year. Streaky vs. Consistency. In the long run, you’ll always pick the consistent back court of John Wall and Bradley Beal. Two pure athletes, they average 23 PPG a piece, and Wall averages over 10 assists per game as well. It’s a true asset to know exactly what you’ll get from D.C. every night. Meanwhile, Atlanta’s front court of Paul Millsap and Dwight Howard have been dominant in the paint. But when either has an off night, it affects the entire team.

Prediction: Wizards make quick work of Atlanta, advance in 5.

Toronto Raptors (3) vs. Milwaukee Bucks (6) 

Giannis Antetokounmpo has had a phenomenal campaign for Milwaukee. Definitely the MVP of the Bucks, he’ll surely settle for the league’s Most Improved Player. That said, the red-hot Raptors are going to be hard to stop. They’re 12-2 since March 17, and have won 4 straight coming into the postseason, including a rout over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday. The tandem of Kyle Lowry and Demar DeRozan light up the stat sheet and can overpower anyone. With Antetokounmpo controlling just about every aspect of the Bucks, it could be relatively easy to shut him down.

Prediction: Bucks play well and force the Raptors to play hard, but Toronto still sweeps.

Cleveland Cavaliers (2) vs. Indiana Pacers (7)

The Cavaliers are firmly at the center of the NBA’s attention. Lebron James and the Cavs look to make their 3rd straight Finals appearance (James’s 7th!), while the Pacers try to derail Cleveland’s hopes of a repeat. Don’t count on any funny business. Although Cleveland limps into the postseason the losers of 4 straight, they know how to win when it matters most. The Cavaliers have simply too much talent from top to bottom to be ousted this early by Paul George and company. I wouldn’t worry yet if I were a Cleveland fan, but the Conference Semifinals could prove to be a challenge if they don’t gather enough momentum with this dream matchup.

Predictions: Cavaliers overcome early deficits and prevail in 5.