NBA 1st Round Predictions!

 The Play In games have concluded and we now have the NBA playoff seeding officially set. The playoffs start this Easter weekend and I think we are in store for an elite postseason! Down below I am giving my predictions for each first round matchup. Comment which matchup you are most excited to watch and some of your predictions!


Western Conference

(1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs (8) Memphis Grizzlies: OKC in 5

The Thunder have had a historical season led by SGA's MVP campaign. The Grizzlies have more than enough talent to steal a game or two but their struggles against playoff teams this year have been well documented. OKC have been a level above the field this season and will not be victim to any true scares in the first round.

(4) Denver Nuggets vs (5) Los Angeles Clippers: LAC in 7

This series is so intriguing to me. Denver has the best player in basketball for the past half-decade and I am of the thought that if you have the best player in the world you have a chance to go all the way. That being said, I think the Clippers have a WCF ceiling. If Harden and Kawhi bring their A game, I am going to take the veteran laden Clippers to win the series!

(3) Los Angeles Lakers vs (6) Minnesota Timberwolves: LAL in 7

As far as individual stars goes, this is the most exciting series in the first round. LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and Anthony Edwards means there will be fireworks aplenty. In the end I gave the nod to the Lakers simply because they have home court advantage.

(2) Houston Rockets vs (7) Golden State Warriors: HOU in 6

The Rockets are an underdog 2 seed. Many people point to the Warriors experience and the fact that Curry and Jimmy Butler have been here before. While I do think this is a fair argument, I actually think that the Rockets match up well with the Warriors and have a better team top to bottom. The Warriors have the best two players in this series but I think the Rockets have four of the five next best players.

Eastern Conference

(1) Cleveland Cavaliers vs (8) Miami Heat: CLE in 4

Simply put I do not think the Cavs will be threatened at all in this series.

(4) Indiana Pacers vs (5) Milwaukee Bucks: IND in 7

I am excited about this matchup. I think Giannis will have to give a superhuman effort to give Milwaukee a chance and I think there is a great likelihood that he does. I think Indiana has been playing good basketball and will outlast the Bucks in this matchup. I am also going off the thinking that Dame does not play. The basketball fan in me of course wants to watch him in the playoffs, but it just seems risky and rushed for him to be out there.

(3) New York Knicks vs (6) Detroit Pistons: NYK in 5

The Pistons have been a fun story all season but I do not see them overcoming the Knicks in many of their key players first playoff experience. The Knicks have an abundance of talent on this roster and have more experience which I think will push them into the next round.

(2) Boston Celtics vs (7) Orlando Magic: BOS in 4

The reigning champion Celtics might still be the favorites to win the title. I can see Franz and Paolo maybe being able to steal one game from Boston but this is a horrible matchup for the Magic with their lack of offense.




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