NBA Semi-Final Playoff Predictions

First Round Record (6-2)

NBA Semi-Final Playoff Predictions

Western Conference

Utah Jazz Vs Houston Rockets

I’m sorry I doubted the Jazz in the previous round because they absolutely dominated the Thunder and looked like a great team while doing so. Rudy Gobert is a really underrated player, he’s quiet but if you step in the paint and that dude is there watch out because he’s going to bring it! He’s been the difference in this team so far. The Rockets look great on offense and can outscore anyone, but I’m always skeptical of D’Antoni teams in the Playoffs. His teams have always come on strong, but when they go up against a team with a good defense in a seven game series, it gets pretty easy to figure them out. James Harden has also been known to disappear in the Playoffs in the past so this team has a lot to prove with me before I start crowning them the Champs. I think this will be a tougher matchup for the Rockets than most expect because the Jazz are better on the defensive side of the ball, but I still think the Rockets are the better team and will end up winning the series.

Rockets over Jazz in 6 games

New Orleans Pelicans Vs Golden State Warriors

The Pelicans went on a tear in the last round! They owned every single game from the jump and made it known that this team is for real! The unfortunate thing is now they have to go up against the Warriors and news flash…. they’re really fucking good! Steph Curry hasn’t even stepped foot on the court yet and Kevin Durant has the Warriors looking like they don’t even need Curry’s help at all! If anyone was worried about the Warriors step the fuck back because there is nothing to worry about it. It looks like the Warriors are the Championship favorites, yet again, and there is no argument to be had against that so far. I like what I see from the Pelicans and they won’t lie down in this series, but they ain’t gonna win it either!

Warriors over Pelicans in 5 games

Eastern Conference

Cleveland Cavaliers Vs Toronto Raptors

As an admitted LeBron hater this season has actually been enjoyable for me to watch because he isn’t used to this kind of struggle with his team. In the last round against the Pacers they played like absolute garbage and quite frankly are lucky to have even moved onto this round. Over the last couple of seasons the Raptors have been chasing after the Cavaliers and have never come close to getting over the hump, but this could be the year they do it. This Cavaliers team is in total disarray and they don’t work as a team at all. They only win because LeBron does EVERYTHING! At some point that will end up becoming your downfall. In the past the Raptors are known chokers in the Playoffs so I would not be surprised if that happens again, but the Raptors this time around are the far superior team, emphasis on the word team. Derozan and Kyle Lowry make up one of the top back courts in the league and will be difficult for the Cavs to keep up with. The Raptors also have the advantage in the paint with Serge Ibaka, he should easily dominate anybody, aside from LeBron in the paint. There is no consistency from the Cavaliers at all which is why I believe the time is now for the Raptors to finally get past the Cavs and move on to the next round.

Raptors over Cavaliers in 6 games

Philadelphia 76ers Vs Boston Celtics

I have a feeling this will end up being the best series in this round because of how well these teams matchup against each other. The 76ers are playing some great basketball right now, the entire team is on the same page, and they are young and hungry. They are not afraid of any opponent on the court and back it up with how they play on the court. The Celtics are a solid team, but from what they showed me in the previous round they may not be able to handle what the 76ers will be bringing. They are great on the defensive side of the ball, but the 76ers have a lot of star players who are able to take over a game. Joel Embiid is why I believe the 76ers have the advantage in this one because he can score and play defense. He’s big and tough for anyone to guard, and from what I can see I don’t believe anyone on the Celtics will be able to handle him for an entire series. This should be a good series to watch, but in the end the 76ers should come out on top because they will be way too much for the Celtics to handle.

76ers over Celtics in 7 games