NBA First Round Playoff Predictions
Western Conference
New Orleans Pelicans Vs Phoenix Suns
The Suns are by far the most complete team in the league this season and have completely dominated from start to finish. The Pelicans have had their up and downs, but are definitely on the upside at this point. Unfortunately, for them they have to face the best team in the league to start and I really don’t believe they have a shot at winning one game in this series. The Suns have way too much fire power to keep up with, even for the best teams in the league and the Pelicans definitely aren’t that good! Chris Paul is locked in and looking good since he came back from injury and Devin Booker has had an MVP caliber season. The Suns will make this a quick and easy series.
Suns over Pelicans in 4 games
Minnesota Timberwolves Vs Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies have been one of the most dominant teams this season, even when Ja Morant has had to battle through injuries, the rest of the team has stepped it up and maintained their winning ways. The Grizzlies play spectacular team ball and Ja is the spark plug that keeps it moving. The Timberwolves have had their moments this season, but aren’t even on the Grizzlies level. This should be a quick series with a straight up domination from the Grizzlies.
Grizzlies over Timberwolves in 5 games
Utah Jazz Vs Dallas Mavericks
This entire series depends on what happens with Luka’s injury. If he doesn’t play at all this will be a quick and easy series for the Jazz! If he’s able to limit this to only one, possibly two games we may have a series. The Mavericks entire team revolves around Luka Doncic and won’t have a chance against the Jazz if he isn’t able to play in the series. I haven’t been impressed with the Jazz heading into the postseason because they really didn’t look good at all towards the end of the regular season stretch, but they may get lucky with this injury to Luka. Prior to his injury I figured this would be a close battle between the two teams and if he only misses one game that should be the case because the Mavericks are a really good team with him on the court. He has some of the most amazing basketball skills and he makes everyone better around him. The Jazz just don’t seem to be playing well as a team and don’t really have an identity and that could be a problem in this matchup.
Mavericks over Jazz in 7 games
Denver Nuggets Vs Golden State Warriors
Nikola Jokic has picked up right where he left off last year on his MVP run, this dude is a work horse and the backbone of the Denver Nuggets. But that’s where it stops with this team and while Jokic is a great player, especially come playoff time, the Warriors are a better overall team. Steph Curry’s status remains up in the air right now, but even without him I still think they are the better team. Klay Thompson has been getting better as the season moves along and even though Draymond ain’t what he used to be he’s still a dog in the paint and frustrates the hell out of his opponents. The Nuggets should make this a watchable series, but the Warriors have the depth and the veteran leadership to keep it moving on into the next round.
Warriors over Nuggets in 6 games
Eastern Conference
Atlanta Hawks Vs Miami Heat
The Heat have been one of the best teams in the Eastern conference this season and are coming in hot into the playoffs! The Hawks have hung around most of the season, but it is playoff time and that’s when this team usually gets going. Trae Young has had yet another spectacular season and has really got it going over the last month. He is their spark plug come playoff time and this is where he shines the brightest, but unfortunately he doesn’t have much else surrounding him as far as a team goes. The Heat play great team ball, which is why they are the top seed in the Eastern conference and while I believe Trae Young won’t make this an easy one for the Heat, I still think the depth and the experience they have on this team will get them through this series and on into the next round.
Heat over Hawks in 6 games
Brooklyn Nets Vs Boston Celtics
The Nets have caught fire at the right time and will be a tough opponent for the Celtics in this round. Durant is playing great like he always does and Kyrie looks locked in, but beyond the two of them the rest of this team is suspect. The Celtics, on the other hand, have been one of the most dominant teams since January and will be really difficult for the Nets to keep up with. Jason Tatum has been the driving force behind the Celtics winning ways along with Jaylen Brown. The Celtics defense is what gives them the edge in this matchup as well as their depth on the bench. The Nets will give the Celtics a run for their money because I never doubt Kevin Durant come playoff time, but unfortunately I don’t believe the Nets have enough fire power to keep up with the Celtics in a seven game series.
Celtics over Nets in 6 games
Chicago Bulls Vs Milwaukee Bucks
The Bulls have had an up and down season. They started off hot, but the injuries kept piling up and the second half of the season was a roller coaster from week to week. Derozan has been the one constant and is the reason why this team was able to maintain and get a playoff spot. They are about to hit a wall to start the playoffs and that wall is Giannis! He has been on a tear the last month and is in full on Championship mode! You can see the fire in his eyes every time he hits the court and is totally locked in at this point. I don’t believe the Bulls have any player on their roster to attempt to matchup against Giannis and that will be a problem, especially in a seven game series. The Bucks are the defending champs and know what it takes to win and the Bulls haven’t done shit and don’t play consistent basketball at all. The Bucks should make this a quick one and move on to the next round!
Bucks over Bulls in 5 games
Toronto Raptors Vs Philadelphia 76ers
The Raptors have really turned it on this second half of the season. Since the All-Star break they have been a lot more consistent compared to the beginning of the season. Unfortunately, for them they are going up against one of the best teams in the league with one of the most dominant players in the league in Joel Embiid. In my opinion, Embiid is the MVP this year because he has dominated from start to finish and has had his team at the top all season long. He led the league in scoring which is the first time for a Center since Shaq! He is very versatile and I don’t think the Raptors have an answer for him, especially in a seven game series! I have a feeling this will be a very quick series completely dominated by the 76ers!
76ers over Raptors in 4 games
