The first round of the NBA Playoffs got underway this weekend to much fanfare. Literally. Most NBA teams increased their attendance and the results were palpable. It really felt like the playoffs (and sports) were back. Funny how big a difference seeing and hearing actual fans in the crowd made. The games were simply fantastic with several thrilling outcomes and great action. Here’s a rundown of what to expect in this year’s postseason with some predictions .
2nd Round Predictions
Eastern Conference
1 Philadelphia
8 Washington
The Sixers addition of Doc Rivers appears to be a success. Joel Embiid was on his way to winning his first MVP award before injury and Philly has its first number 1 seed since Allen Iverson’s MVP season (20 years ago). I hope that didn’t make you feel old. They won Game 1 Sunday and should not have too much trouble dispatching a Wizards team that made a valiant run to end of the season and make the playoffs. Pick: 76ers in 5
2 Brooklyn
7 Boston
The Celtics had a pretty disappointing year and now with Jaylen Brown out, don’t stand much of a chance against Brooklyn. Danny Ainge and Brad Stevens are gonna have the offseason to figure it out and that’ll come soon enough against this healthy-ish Nets team eager to prove they were worth the hype. Bonus: Kyrie Irving Revenge Series. Pick: Nets in 4
3 Milwaukee
6 Miami
This is a huge series for Milwaukee’s future. They went all in this year as a way to show their MVP superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo that they were serious about pursuing a title. And the Greek Freak has to finally show that with more talent, he can himself make the necessary strides to lead a team to the Finals. And to do it against the team that knocked them out of the playoffs last year would be extra sweet. I don’t think the Heat will find the same magic they did last year in the bubble. Pick: Bucks in 6
4 New York
5 Atlanta
Two cultural capitals. Two cities that are no strangers to sports suffering. The Knicks are the surprise of the year and they simply own New York. If they win this series the energy in New York City could probably power the world. Atlanta made some major moves in the off season to announce that it was playoffs or bust for them this year. It was in that spirit they fired their coach in March and replaced him with Nate McMillan. Since then they’ve been steadily improving and are led by the fantastic Trae Young who lives to shine in the spotlight. This may be the best series in the Eastern Conference this round. Pick: Knicks in 7
Western Conference
1 Utah
8 Memphis
Many thought the Jazz dodged a bullet when the Grizz eliminated the Warriors but based on Sunday night’s results, the Grizzlies might have the upper hand. Donovan Mitchell missed the game and Ja Morant and Dillon Brooks led the Grizzlies to the upset. Momentum is on Memphis’ side but Mitchell has already been announced as available for Game 2 and the Jazz should get back on the right track. But not before people see Ja Morant for what he is: the Future. Pick: Jazz in 6
2 Phoenix
7 LA Lakers
The Lakers looked pretty beatable again in Game 1 of this series as Phoenix easily won; despite Chris Paul suffering a shoulder injury that affected him all game. Poor Chris Paul and his history of getting hurt at the worst possible time. Not to be outdone, later in the game, LeBron “hurt” his shoulder and writhed in agony while a short-lived scuffle took place nearby. Playoff basketball is back! With CP3 most likely not at 100% the rest of the series, the Lakers will strike back strong but they’ll need to find consistency if they want to advance far. And AD will need to show up the rest of the series. Pick: Lakers in 6
3 Denver
6 Portland
This should be a fun contest. The probable MVP of the league in Nikola Jokic versus a perennially worthy MVP candidate Dame Lillard carrying their teams in tense 4th quarter runs. The Nuggets are without Jamal Murray which hurts their playoff goals but they have the weapons on offense to take advantage of Portland’s suspect defense. Portland’s offensive flow in the 4th quarter will be the key to how many games they win. They will need to overpower Denver on offense which can be done with their clientele. This series could be an all timer. Pick: Nuggets in 7
4 LA Clippers
5 Dallas
The Los Angeles Clippers can’t escape who they are. They lost their last two regular season games (to the Rockets and the Thunder, mind you) so everyone thought they were avoiding the Lakers. Scared of big brother is not a good look for a team wanting to move into their own place soon. They ended up dropping to the 4th seed and finding a repeat of last year’s scary first round matchup with the Dallas Mavericks and Luka Doncic, Clipper Killer. And after losing Game 1 Saturday, the Clippers are facing being the butt of everyone’s jokes again. Such is navigating the playoffs with Ty Lue at the helm. Pick: Clippers in 6
2nd Round Predictions
Eastern Conference
1 Philadelphia
4 New York
Whether it’s the Knicks or the Hawks that end up as the Sixers opponent, Philly has their focus in check this year and should make short work of either to reach their first Eastern Conference Finals since 2001. Pick: 76ers in 5
2 Brooklyn
3 Milwaukee
This is going to be an interesting matchup. The Bucks might be best matched to stifle the Nets and won 2 of 3 this year including some of the only known footage of Kevin Durant being blocked on a jumper. It’s gonna take Giannis having to match Kevin Durant down the stretch for the Bucks to win the series though. That’s a big ask. Pick: Nets in 7
Western Conference
1 Utah
4 LA Clippers
Utah had a great year but they still seem at least one big piece away from truly contending for the title. They could pull off the upset but I think the Clippers have the superior talent and the superior depth. The Clippers may break their sports franchise record drought of 50 years without reaching their conference finals. Pick: Clippers in 6
3 Denver
7 LA Lakers
Without Jamal Murray and barring a major injury on the side of the Lakers, I just find the path too difficult for the Joker. If they get some big games from new contributors, they might take it the distance but LeBron and AD and the NBA are all working towards the same goal. Pick: Lakers in 6
Conference Finals
1 Philadelphia
2 Brooklyn
Teams, even the super ones, do tend to struggle in their first year together. The Nets have not played a lot of games with their big 3 together - just 8 before the playoffs. That’s going to be a true challenge but nothing meets a challenge like superior talent. The Nets stars have been playing unselfishly and as long as they continue doing so, they should be too much for Philadelphia. Philly’s chance rests on Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons thoroughly dominating defensively and in the paint offensively. They’ll need to disrupt Brooklyn’s ball movement and flow as much as possible. And still hope for bad games. Pick: Nets in 7
4 LA Clippers
7 LA Lakers
The series everyone’s wanted for two years. Finally should take place although both these teams are not surefire guarantees to advance this far. The Lakers face a similar challenge to the Nets in that they have not played at full strength in a while. But their team chemistry is still off the charts and as long as LBJ and AD are near their best, no duo is better. The Clippers were at one point this season the most efficient 3 point shooting team in NBA history but it will all come down to their own duo of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George to see if they can overcome decades of their own well, Clippersing. Pick: Lakers in 7
NBA Finals
2 Brooklyn
7 LA Lakers
It’s hard to pick against talent in the NBA. This year, due to so many injuries both in the season and now, there are factors that point to this year being kind of a free for all. There’s no clear favorite in the West and Brooklyn simply has too many question marks to be a unanimous choice in the East. But barring injury, these are the two teams I think will play the best when it counts and meet in this year’s NBA Finals. And if things work out just right, we might have a series reminiscent of Cavs-Warriors in 2016. The Nets, if they figure it out by then, may not be beatable but if LeBron can lead his Lakers to the upset and the 18th title in franchise history, it might be his most impressive feat yet. Pick: Lakers in 7