NBA Conference Semifinal Predictions

 

First Round Record (6-2)

 

NBA Conference Semifinal Playoff Predictions

Western Conference

Houston Rockets Vs Los Angeles Lakers

The Rockets are such an amusing team to me because they are so inconsistent on just about every level. I’m actually shocked they were able to get past the first round of the playoffs, but they just lucked out because they faced the Thunder who are just about as inconsistent as the Rockets are. The even more amusing thing is to watch Westbrook and Harden attempt to play on the same team as one another because neither one of them wants to give up the ball and that has cost them a few games. As soon as Westbrook came back from injury in the first round the Rockets offense was awful and it’s because he was trying to do too much and looked sloppy as hell on the court. The Lakers have been resting up for a few days now and are coming into this matchup fresh and ready to go. The Rockets have no answer for LeBron or Anthony Davis on the defensive side of the ball, and they don’t have anyone who matches up in the paint to try and outrebound the Lakers. I don’t really see this being much of a challenge for the Lakers because they are better at every aspect of the game compared to the Rockets.

Lakers over Rockets in 5 games

 

Denver Nuggets Vs Los Angeles Clippers

The Nuggets just played one hell of a series against the Utah Jazz, but I have a feeling they just blew their wad in that matchup and will be too worn out for this one against the Clippers. I never really thought they had a chance in this series to begin with because the Clippers, overall, are a much better team, but the Nuggets might make it difficult for a game or two. The Clippers are one of the deepest teams in the league from top to bottom which is why they have dominated the West this season. I don’t expect much to change in this series from that perspective as I expect the Clippers to dominate the Nuggets in this one.

Clippers over Nuggets in 5 games

 

Eastern Conference

Boston Celtics Vs Toronto Raptors

The defending champs will have their hands full in this matchup because Kemba Walker and the Boston Celtics are no joke! The Celtics played a flawless game against the 76ers in the first round and while the 76ers looked like the walking dead on the basketball court, the Celtics played amazing basketball. Kemba has proven all season he is a true leader and now that he is on a good team, that is in the postseason, he is finally able to show the World he ain’t no chump! The Raptors did what they were supposed to do in the first round against the Nets, but now they get a true test against a legitimate team full of talent. The Raptors are a strong team and should not be overlooked, but the Celtics have been on fire even before the restart, they were one of the top teams in the league. Kemba has been playing like a man on a mission and I really like what I’ve seen from him so far. This series will be a battle, but I think the Celtics will come out on top because they play so well as a team.

Celtics over Raptors in 6 games

 

Miami Heat Vs Milwaukee Bucks 

The Miami Heat looked really solid in the first round and completely dominated the Pacers. The Heat should give the Bucks a run for their money in this series, but in the end the Bucks are going to be way too much for the Heat to handle. The Heat don’t have anyone who matches up well against Giannis Antetokounmpo which puts them at an extreme disadvantage. Andre Iguodala is known for stepping up his game in the playoffs defensively and he may be the guy they call upon to try and guard Giannis, but in the end I still don’t believe that will be enough for a seven game series. The Bucks will dominate the paint and in turn dominate the game. I don’t believe the Heat have much of a shot in this matchup.

Bucks over Heat in 6 games

NBA First Round Playoff Predictions

 

NBA First Round Playoff Predictions

Western Conference 

Portland Trail Blazers Vs Los Angeles Lakers 

The Blazers have been one of the hottest teams since the restart led by Damian Lillard. This guy has been unstoppable and I hope the Lakers are ready for it. The Blazers aren’t chumps and shouldn’t be overlooked, but the Lakers are a much deeper team and much more solid on the defensive side of the ball. I expect the Blazers to give the Lakers everything they’ve got and to make it a battle every game in this series, but the Lakers are a superior team. LeBron is LeBron and he’s had an amazing season and has led this team to the #1 spot out West. Anthony Davis has been a killer on both the defensive and offensive side of the ball and has been just as important as LeBron. There are still some questions beyond those two on the team, but this is the playoffs and LeBron always elevates his game to another level this time of year and I expect him to dominate in this series. No one on the Blazers roster can even matchup with LeBron to defend against him or Anthony Davis.

Lakers over Blazers in 5 games

 

Houston Rockets Vs Oklahoma City Thunder

The Rockets are pretty much screwed in this matchup with no Russell Westbrook. The Rockets need to score a lot of points to even have a chance at a win since they play next to no defense, and with Westbrook’s injury he will be on the bench and that takes away a huge chunk of the offense. It also doesn’t help that this is the time of year when James Harden has his disappearing act and some how forgets how to make a bucket or win. The Thunder on the other hand actually do play defense, they know how to score points, and have been playing very well as a team since the restart. Chris Paul was traded from the Rockets this past offseason surrounded by a bunch of drama, so I have a feeling he is going to come into this series pissed off and ready to kick some ass. It should be a contentious series with a strong battle in the back court, but with no Westbrook I think the Thunder are the clear favorites in this matchup. Westbrook is a big part of why this team works offensively and without him it makes it that much more difficult to win in a seven game series.

Thunder over Rockets in 6 games

 

Utah Jazz Vs Denver Nuggets

This will probably end up being the best matchup in this round in the Western Conference because both of these teams are evenly matched. Nikola Jokic has had a dominating season and even though he started off slow once they started playing basketball again, he was able to get his legs under him and start playing like his old self. Jokic is a silent assassin because not many people are really aware of how good he is because he isn’t considered a “superstar”, but the dude can ball and can take over a game at any moment. The Jazz are led by Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell, who have also been playing very well since the restart. Beyond the star players both teams have multiple role players who can step it up and may not necessarily take over a game, but can play a key role in a close matchup. The edge in this matchup I believe will be Utah’s bench players. I think they will be more equipped to withstand an entire series and can rely on more than one player to help get the win. Whereas the Nuggets basically need Jokic to have a good game every night to even have a shot at the win.

Jazz over Nuggets in 7 games

 

Dallas Mavericks Vs Los Angeles Clippers

The Mavericks have no shot in this one. The Clippers are a far superior team and the Mavericks will have their hands full from the jump. The Mavericks have some good players and are capable of keeping up at times with their opponent, but against the Clippers in a seven game series it would be shocking if they’re even capable of getting one win in this series.

Clippers over Mavericks in 4 games

 

Eastern Conference 

Orlando Magic Vs Milwaukee Bucks

This will be a nice little warm-up for the Bucks to start off the postseason. The Magic will be lucky if they get one win in this series because they look like a JV squad compared to the Bucks. I’m not expecting much from this series other than an ass kicking coming the Magic’s way courtesy of the Bucks!

Bucks over Magic in 4 games

 

Indiana Pacers Vs Miami Heat

This will be the best matchup coming out of the East in the first round. The Pacers have by far been the biggest surprise and have been one of the most dominant teams the last couple of weeks. T.J. Warren has been a man on fire, leading the Pacers to a ton of dominating and surprising wins. Warren has been playing at an MVP level since the restart and I expect him to give the Heat major problems in this series. The Heat aren’t chumps though and Jimmy Butler is a baller, and when he gets to the postseason he takes his game to a whole other level. This should be a back and forth series that will be hard fought until the end, but Jimmy Butler is the truth and he has the receipts to prove what a beast he is in the postseason and I can’t pick against that, at least in this matchup.

Heat over Pacers in 7 games

 

Philadelphia 76ers Vs Boston Celtics

Since the restart of the season the team playing the least inspired basketball right now are the 76ers! Not one player is playing with any type of heart on the court, they all look like they’re just going through the motions. The Celtics on the other hand have picked up right where they left off before the league shutdown. I expect the 76ers to step it up a bit now that they’re playing for something, but even so the Celtics look more cohesive as an overall team and they should be able to handle the 76ers in a seven game series. I don’t expect this to be much of a challenge for the Celtics with what I’ve seen from the 76ers, but maybe they can surprise me and make this a good series to watch!

Celtics over 76ers in 5 games

 

Brooklyn Nets Vs Toronto Raptors

I anticipate that this matchup is going to be one of the most boring by far in the first round. The Nets backup squad has absolutely no chance to even win one game in this series. I’d be surprised if just one of these games ends up being a close one in the end. The Raptors will have no problems moving onto the next round!

Raptors over Nets in 4 games

Super Bowl LIV Prediction

Wild Card Record (1-3)

Divisional Round Record (2-2)

Conference Championship Record (1-1)

Super Bowl LIV Prediction

Kansas City Chiefs Vs San Francisco 49ers

This year’s Super Bowl is going to be one hell of a matchup between two excellent teams! The Chiefs started the season off a little shaky and things looked bleak once Patrick Mahomes dislocated his kneecap, but they stuck to their game plan and once the team got healthy they became unstoppable. The defense was questionable at the beginning of the season, but has turned into a brick house the second half and has played a big part as to why this team is in the Super Bowl. This Chiefs offense can score at will and cannot be counted out until the game is over, but the team they are up against may just be the team to contain this beast.

The 49ers have had one of the greatest turn arounds in NFL history because they ended last season with only four wins and here they are the most dominant team in football. Kyle Shanahan is such a great play caller on offense. He calls the most old school type game plan, but yet this offense can still light you up and keep pace with any team they face.  The ground game is the best in the league and they don’t even have a true starting running back, it’s a running back by committee with three very skilled and elusive backs. The 49ers greatest strength is their defense. This front seven has been tops in the league with every guy up front sacking the shit out of everyone and if they don’t sack you, they will disrupt the play in some way. The edge in this matchup is the 49ers defense because they are the best in the league and have proven it all season long. They have faced some great teams with some great quarterbacks and have passed the test each time. Even if they didn’t get the win, they still were able to play a solid game and give themselves a chance to win it. They have one more test with another great quarterback in Patrick Mahomes and while I expect him to still have a solid day, I expect the 49ers to make the big plays and get the win in the end.

49ers over Chiefs 35-31

MVP: Richard Sherman