While I haven’t watched enough NBA basketball this year, I will be making my first round predictions for the 2019 playoffs right now.I hope you guys enjoy them.
Eastern Conference
1.Milwaukee Bucks 4
8.Detroit Pistons 1
Giannis Antentokounmpo should lead the way over a Detroit Pistons team that should win one game on their home floor.
4.Boston Celtics 4
5.Indiana Pacers 2
Since Victor Oladipo went down with an injury for the Pacers, I think Pacers fans should be happy they are here because they won’t be for long.The Pacers show some fight but against an underachieving Celtics team that should make a pretty good playoff run,the Celtics have Kyrie Irving.I’m taking the team with more talent here.
3.Philadelphia 76ers 4
6.Brooklyn Nets 1
Brooklyn Nets Guard De’Angelo Russell will make the series interesting but the talent of Brooklyn won’t be enough for the loaded 76ers.This series should be easy for the 76ers.I don’t see a clean sweep because of inconsistency from Philadelphia at some points in the season.Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid, and Tobias Harris lead Philadelphia to a gentleman’s sweep.
2.Toronto Raptors 4
7.Orlando Magic 0
Toronto should come out firing on all cylinders in these playoffs after getting swept by LeBron and the Cavs last season.LeBron is not here anymore, so Raptors dominate, make easy work of the Magic.
Western Conference
1.Golden State Warriors 4
8.LA Clippers 1
Golden State is the best team in the NBA.If there was a sweep this would be the one but Golden State will lose a game in this series on the road.Golden State wins easily.
4.Houston Rockets 4
5.Utah Jazz 2
James Harden has put together another MVP caliber year and that’s the reason why they will be going to face Golden State in the second round.Utah is the best defensive team in the western conference and Guard Donavan Mitchell should have a great series for the Jazz as well as rim protecting Center Rudy Gobert.It won’t be enough for the series as James Harden leads Houston into round two.
3.Portland Trail Blazers 3
6.Oklahoma City Thunder 4
This is the one and only “upset” I have picked in the first round but the Thunder swept the Blazers in the regular season.Thunder Guard Russell Westbrook and Blazers Guard Damian Lillard should be the Point Guard duel of the playoffs.Thunder Forward Paul George will be the difference, as his two-way ability will help OKC advance.
2.Denver Nuggets 4
7.San Antonio Spurs 3
The unexpierenced Nuggets meet the most expierienced team in basketball in the San Antonio Spurts.Denver will have trouble getting out of this series but they will advance barely; on a Nikola Jokic buzzer-beater.
