The next two months will see the NBA take center stage in the sports world, more or less. It’s when the casual fan tunes in hoping for compelling gameplay while the die-hard finally goes all in. Seasons end and dreams live on, while refs continue to get more say in it than anyone can stand.
This year, the playoffs are pretty wide open which is just how the NBA should like it. Milwaukee and Boston are strong contenders for the whole shebang while Philly has a legitimate chance at taking them down. The earth-shattering Kevin Durant trade actually hasn’t solidified the Suns as a unanimous favorite. They’ve only played eight games together so it’s a little early to say they’re quite unstoppable though they’ve won every single one of those games. Denver, Golden State, and both Los Angeles teams all have support as being the victor out West.
Without further ado, oh, what’s that? Were you telepathically asking me how I did on my preseason picks? Yeah, of course, I’d be damn glad to tell you. I had all of the top ten teams right in the Eastern Conference and eight of the top ten in the West. Damn you for letting me believe in you Dallas and the Trail Blazers. I had 14 of the top 16 actual playoff squads, missing one in each conference. My awards picks were pretty blah and I didn’t get the seeds exactly right but what can you do. My advice is to read this preview of what you can expect with the NBA Playoffs starting Saturday.
Eastern Conference
#1 Milwaukee Bucks (58-24) vs. #8 Miami Heat (44-38)
There’s not likely anything to see here. Miami has a tough defense combined with excellent coaching and culture, but this year wasn’t the one they were looking for and it will show against this excellent Milwaukee team. I don’t think the Heat will have any answers for the Bucks talented depth as they take easy care of a regressing Miami group. This will likely be Udonis Haslem’s swan song.
Prediction: Bucks in 5
#2 Boston Celtics (57-25) vs. #7 Atlanta Hawks (41-41)
Yeah, don’t count on much drama in this one either. The Hawks are gonna have to figure it out around Trae Young or just call the whole thing off. They’re rumored to be doing just that this summer but it doesn’t help them now against a determined and driven Celtics squad. The defending Eastern Conference champions have high hopes and the Hawks aren’t gonna be the squad that stands in their way.
Prediction: Celtics in 5
#3 Philadelphia 76ers (54-28) vs. #6 Brooklyn Nets (45-37)
I feel for Mikal Bridges. Born in Philadelphia, winner of two national championships at local Villanova University, 10th pick in the 2018 NBA Draft of his hometown dream destination Philadelphia 76ers. Only to be traded later that evening. Tough break, kid. He’s a budding superstar in Brooklyn now however, and I do wonder how badly Philly would like that pick back now with rumors flying that they may lose James Harden after this season. Likely MVP Joel Embiid is going to dominate this series though and Philly should roll even if the Nets steal a couple games since the Sixers like to keep everybody guessing.
Prediction: Sixers in 6
#4 Cleveland Cavs (51-31) vs. #5 New York Knicks (47-35)
I’m gonna join the cool kids table and say this is going to be the most entertaining series in the Eastern Conference’s first round. Both teams have firepower up to here (gestures heightily) but pride themselves on defense. The Cavs have the top rated defense in the NBA and Defensive Player of the Year finalist Evan Mobley and though the Knicks defense isn’t impressive statistically, it is a hallmark of head coach Tom Thibodeau.
Julius Randle may or may not be 100% recovered from a late-season ankle sprain which could play a factor but the pressure in this series is on the Cavs. They have to now live up to their new reputations as favorites and dark-horse contenders. I think the difference in this series is how many times we’ll all walk away realizing Donovan Mitchell was the best player on that court. I think he and Evan Mobley will have some breakout games that give Cleveland the edge.
Prediction: Cavs in 7
Western Conference
#1 Denver Nuggets (53-29) vs. #8 Minnesota Timberwolves (42-40)
This should be the most important postseason in Nikola Jokic’s young career. Seems like the only criticism that can be made about the man is that he hasn’t led his team far enough in the playoffs. There was that Conference Finals “trip” in The Bubble in 2020 but since then the Nuggets have exited in the 2nd and 1st rounds respectively.
But Jokic seems to be the quiet savant, a less vocal and bombastic but still highly respected locker room leader that will have his teammates foaming at the mouth ready to defend his honor. I think the Nuggets roll in the first round and might have the most impressive showing of any team in the West.
Prediction: Nuggets in 5
#2 Memphis Grizzlies (51-31) vs. #7 Los Angeles Lakers (43-39)
I watched as the Lakers clinched their playoff spot Tuesday night and they showed absolutely zero signs that they can win this round let alone the whole West. But the results since they made the blockbuster Russell Westbrook trade that saved their season also point to these Lakers being capable of such a run. All I know is that they had better play on another level this series to stand a chance.
The Grizzlies had their team chemistry tested later this season with the controversy surrounding young superstar Ja Morant, a future face of the league, which resulted in an 8-game suspension. Before that, the Grizzlies were sniffing around the top seed in the West and talking an even bigger game. They definitely have the talent, high-end and all-around, to beat the Lakers but missing solid big Steven Adams and facing LeBron James in one of the last seasons of his career, trying to make every game count? Good luck! I’ll stick with the King and AD.
Prediction: Lakers in 6
#3 Sacramento Kings (48-34) vs. #6 Golden State Warriors (44-38)
How petty and diabolical did I feel this past fall when I picked Sacramento to finish 11th in the West just missing out on any chance for the postseason? It’s a rhetorical question. The answer was lots. I just thought it was the likely scenario for the saddest franchise in the NBA. But light the beam, folks, as Sacramento came through against all odds, breaking the longest current playoff drought in any of the major sports.
For their troubles, they’ll face the Golden State Warriors, the preseason title favorite of many. Sacramento has the number one offense in the league but it’s their defense that will determine this series. And as the newest kid on the block going up against a team that’s won four titles in eight years, it will take a mighty upset for Sactown to advance. Sorry, Vlade.
Prediction: Warriors in 6
#4 Phoenix Suns (47-35) vs. #5 Los Angeles Clippers (44-38)
Outside of possibly Memphis and the Lakers, I think this series will be the most interesting to watch in the West. It is too bad that Paul George is still injured and it’s not exactly clear how soon he can return. With him healthy, the Clippers and Kawhi Leonard might have served as the best opponent for these new-look Kevin Durant Suns.
The rest of the West is looking on with glee however, laughing triumphantly because at least one of Phoenix or the Clippers will no longer be an obstacle on the way out of the West. My money is on Phoenix to abide.
Prediction: Suns in 6
2nd Round Picks
Eastern Conference
#1 Milwaukee Bucks vs. #4 Cleveland Cavaliers
Prediction: Bucks in 6
#2 Boston Celtics vs. #3 Philadelphia 76ers
Prediction: Celtics in 7
Western Conference
#1 Denver Nuggets vs. #4 Phoenix Suns
Prediction: Nuggets in 7
#6 Golden State Warriors vs. #7 Los Angeles Lakers
Prediction: Lakers in 6
#1 Milwaukee Bucks vs. #2 Boston Celtics
Prediction: Bucks in 7
#1 Denver Nuggets vs. #7 Los Angeles Lakers
Prediction: Nuggets in 6
Finals
#1 Milwaukee Bucks vs. #1 Denver Nuggets
I had to stay true to my gut and stuck with my preseason prediction of Nuggets over Bucks in 7! It sure would be incredible to see a Celtics vs. Lakers matchup which would be for a record 18th title however. I also think this is a win the title or bust deal for the Philadelphia 76ers. I think James Harden and Doc Rivers will be gone with Jay Wright potentially coming in by next season. The Cavs can also make a statement in the East. If they get all the right parts rolling, they can make the jump to serious contenders these playoffs. They should at least get an idea of what they need to do this offseason.
Prediction: Nuggets in 7