Image Courtesy: Hoops Habit
The NBA Playoffs begin in just an hour. Here is who I have making it to the NBA Finals:
Conference Play-In Results
Eastern Conference
9.Atlanta Hawks (43-39) Advanced
10.Charlotte Hornets (43-39)
(Winner to play loser of 7./8. game for eight seed)
7.Brooklyn Nets (44-38) Advanced
8.Cleveland Cavaliers (44-38)
(Winner to be seven seed)
8.Cleveland Cavaliers (44-38)
9.Atlanta Hawks (43-39) Advanced
Western Conference
9.New Orleans Pelicans (36-46) Advanced
10.San Antonio Spurs (34-48)
(Winner to play loser of 7./8. game for eight seed)
7.Minnesota Timberwolves (46-36) Advanced
8.LA Clippers (42-40)
(Winner to be seven seed)
8.LA Clippers (46-36)
9.New Orleans Pelicans (36-46) Advanced
Conference Quarterfinals
Eastern Conference
Quarterfinals
1.Miami Heat (53-29) 4
8.Atlanta Hawks (43-39) 2
Miami was paced by Jimmy Butler and Victor Oladipo to land the East’s number one seed. But it will be their depth that advances them to round 2, past 2021 Eastern Conference Finals team Atlanta led by star guard Tar Young.
4.Philadelphia 76ers (51-31) 4
5.Toronto Raptors (48-34) 2
The James Harden and Joel Embiid’s goals for this team in these playoffs is to go much further than round 1. Despite not having defensive specialist Matisse Thybulle in away games due to the vaccine in Canada, Harden, Embiid, and Tobias Harris should lead Philadelphia to Round 2 over Scottie Barnes, Pascal Siakam, and the Raptors.
3.Milwaukee Bucks (51-31) 4
6.Chicago Bulls (46-36) 1
While DeMar DeRozan and Zach Lavine were very successful to begin the season, facing off against the Bucks, the defending NBA champions in round one will not be easy. DeRozan always struggled in the playoffs in Toronto and facing Giannis and the Bucks will not be easy.
2.Boston Celtics (51-31) 3
7.Brooklyn Nets (44-38) 4
Brooklyn may not have the depth it previously had before adding James Harden and then getting rid of him, but Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving will win a close, seven-game series over Irving’s old team. Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum will have something to say about it, though.
Western Conference
1.Phoenix Suns (64-18) 4
8.New Orleans Pelicans (36-46) 1
Led by back to back coach of the year Monty Williams and likely first team All-NBA guard Devin Booker and fellow guard Chris Paul and their young core, I expect the Suns to take down the young but gritty Pelicans in five games.
4.Dallas Mavericks (52-30) 3
5.Utah Jazz (49-33) 4
My second upset pick comes in the Dallas-Utah series. With Mavs star Luka Doncic hurt (but maybe playing; it is to be determined), Utah guard Donovan Mitchell and big man Rudy Gobert will take down Dallas in a close seven game series.
3.Golden State Warriors (53-29) 4
6.Denver Nuggets (48-34) 2
Potential NBA MVP Nikola Jokic will look to take down NBA Playoff mainstays Golden State. In Denver’s way will be former MVP Stephen Curry, guard Klay Thompson, guard Jordan Poole, and forward Draymond Green will look to get another championship back to the Bay Area.
2.Memphis Grizzlies (56-26) 4
7.Minnesota Timberwolves (46-36) 2
Memphis’ young core of star point guard Ja Morant, forward Jaren Jackson, and wing Desmond Bane will lead the Grizzlies to the second round over an exciting, also young Minnesota team led by guard Anthony Edwards and big man Karl Anthony-Towns.
Conference Semifinals
Eastern Conference
1.Miami Heat 3
4.Philadelphia 76ers 4
The play of James Harden and Joel Embiid will lead the Sixers to an upset over the Miami Heat.
3.Milwaukee Bucks 4
7.Brooklyn Nets 3
The Nets’ lack of depth is why I think Giannis and the Bucks eliminate Brooklyn for the second consecutive season. Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant will have to play 80 plus percent of the game at a high level to upset the Bucks.
Western Conference
1.Phoenix Suns 4
5.Utah Jazz 2
Phoenix’s bench led by Cam Johnson will help the Suns defeat Utah in six games.
2.Memphis Grizzlies 2
3.Golden State Warriors 4
Memphis hasn’t been here before. Golden State has gone to five of the last eight NBA Finals. Stephen Curry leads the Warriors back to the conference finals.
Conference Finals
Eastern Conference
3.Milwaukee Bucks 4
4.Philadelphia 76ers 3
A battle between Giannis Antetokounmpo and Joel Embiid inside will be won by the Bucks. They will look to repeat as champions.
Western Conference
1.Phoenix Suns 3
3.Golden State Warriors 4
Golden State has been here many times before. Stephen Curry and the Warriors will deny Phoenix a second shot at the Finals and head to it themselves.
Finals preview will come when we get there.
