It took all 82 games to settle the seeding. The Playoffs are underway!
WEST PLAYOFF BRACKET
Warriors vs. Clippers
Key players, Warriors: Kevin Durant, Steph Curry, Klay Thompson
Key players, Clippers: Lou Williams, Danilo Gallinari, Patrick Beverley
Golden State has the upper hand in this matchup all across the board. The bench is the Clippers’ only advantage. One thing to watch in this series is the play of Pat Bev. In the past, Beverley is the only player to get under Steph Curry’s skin. Still, though, I look for a Warriors’ sweep. They’ll be locked and loaded, ready for a three-peat.
Prediction: Warriors, 4-0
Rockets vs. Jazz
Key players, Rockets: James Harden, Chris Paul, Clint Capela, PJ Tucker
Key players, Jazz: Donovan Mitchell, Rudy Gobert, Joe Ingles
This series is a classic matchup play-makers all over the floor. James Harden will be the main attraction. He averaged over 35 PPG and is a matchup problem for every team in the league. Utah has a young buck in Donovan Mitchell. Mitchell showed he belonged in last year’s playoffs by not backing down to either Harden or Chris Paul. The x-factor for Utah is Rudy Gobert. If he has a great series, then I can see this series going seven. In the end, though, the Rockets will prevail in what will likely be a hard-fought battle.
Prediction: Rockets, 4-3
Blazers vs. Thunder
Key players, Trail Blazers: Damian Lillard, CJ McCullum, Enes Kanter
Key players, Thunder: Russell Westbrook, Paul George, Steven Adams
On the last night of the season, the Portland Trail Blazers tried to lose its matchup with the Kings not wanting to match up with OKC. The Thunder won the season’s series, 4-0. But don’t count out these Blazers! Even without Nurkic, Portland went 8-2 in their last ten. But matching up with the Thunder is another story. Russ and PG will share the scoring load. In the end, the Thunder will win this series in seven. Along the way, watch out for fireworks between Russ and Dame. Those two will battle it out, night in and night out.
Prediction: Thunder, 4-3
Nuggets vs. Spurs
Key players, Nuggets: Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, bench
Key players, Spurs: LaMarcus Aldridge, DeMar DeRozan, Rudy Gay
It’s crazy to think of the Spurs as 7-seed. And it is even crazier to think of the Nuggets as a 2-seed. Even so, this is a good match-up. Coach Pop will study the Nuggets, then, work out a system to beat them. The Jokic-Aldridge matchup is intriguing. It will come down to those two to see who comes out on top. As I see it, San Antonio will take this series in seven.
Prediction: Spurs, 4-3
EAST PLAYOFF BRACKET
Bucks vs. Pistons
Key players, Bucks: Giannis Antetokunmpo, Kris Middleton, Eric Bledsoe, Brook Lopez
Key players, Pistons: Blake Griffin, Reggie Jackson, Andre Drummond
The difference in this one is that the Pistons don’t have Giannis. It’s as simple as that.
Prediction: Bucks, 4-0
Celtics vs. Pacers
Key players, Celtics: Kyrie Irving, Al Horford, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Gordon Hayward
Key players, Pacers: Bojan Bogdanovic, Myles Turner, Domatas Sabonis
This series offers the most exciting matchup in the East. If Victor Oladipo were still healthy, then I’d give this series to the Pacers–plain and simple. But he isn’t. Even though the Celtics had a crazy year, I think Boston will put that behind them and win it without going seven.
Prediction: Celtics, 4-2
76ers vs. Nets
Key players, 76ers: Joel Embid, Ben Simmons, Jimmy Butler, Tobias Harris
Key players, Nets: D’Angelo Russell, Spencer Dinwiddie, Caris LeVert
This series is an interesting Atlantic Division match-up. Ben Simmons will be a factor, but in what ways? For one, he is a mismatch for anyone on the Nets. It will be interesting to see what the Nets do on defense. The Nets’ advantage is that they play as a team. Because of that, I see Brooklyn sneaking in two games. But in the end, ‘The Process’ will prevail.
Prediction: 76ers, 4-2
Raptors vs. Magic
Key players, Raptors: Kawhi Leonard, Pascal Siakam, Marc Gasol, Bench Mob
Key players, Magic: Aaron Gordon, Terrence Ross, Jonathan Isaac
I think the Raptors are just too much for the Magic. From Kawhi to the bench mob to break-out star Pascal Siakam, there’s talent on this team. Heck, Toronto’s bench could field a starting NBA line-up. This one will only go four.
Prediction: Raptors, 4-0.
