NBA Playoffs Preview

After the Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets treated fans to one of the
craziest Game 82s in recent memory, the first round postseason matchups are set.
After an extended regular season, the most exciting time of the year is here: NBA
Playoff Season. Naturally, with excitement comes a thirst for predictions. That’s what
we have here today. Here is who will win in each first round matchup.

(1) Raptors 4-1 over (8) Wizards

The 1-8 matchup in the East features the best team in the franchise history
of the Toronto Raptors against the Washington Wizards. Historically, the Raptors
have struggled in the playoffs. Other than a sweep in the Eastern Conference
Finals, the Raptors have failed to compete in the second round. Nevertheless,
they keep bringing back the same two guys as their best players. Kyle Lowry
re-signed this past offseason, one year after DeMar DeRozan re-upped for
another 5 years. This season the two hit a stride. DeRozan is an MVP candidate
and Lowry is an elite point guard. The Raptors may be ready to go the NBA Finals.
Washington’s entire season was based on the health of star point guard John
Wall. Wall missed a huge stretch of games from December to April and only
recently returned to the lineup. In last year’s postseason, the Wizards were one
game away from the Eastern Conference Finals last year until Kelly Olynyk, then
of the Celtics, took over in the fourth quarter. They have the same roster this year
and a first round upset would not be surprising.
Still, I’ll take the Raptors in five games, with the Wizards winning Game 1.
The Raptors seem to lose Game 1 every year at home, I’ll keep the streak alive.
Out of the remaining four games, two will be close and two will be easy Raptors
wins. The series will feel closer than 4-1, but the Raptors take it and advance to
the second round.

(2) Celtics 4-2 over (7) Bucks

Despite being the two seed, the Celtics enter the playoffs hobbled and missing players.
They will be without star point guard Kyrie Irving and All-Star forward Gordon Hayward for
the entire postseason and Sixth Man Marcus Smart for the first round. However, they have
an advantage no other team possesses: Brad Stevens. The only reason the Celtics are still
the favorite in the first round is what he can do with any roster. Boston looked competent
even without star players and I expect that to continue into the playoffs, at least in the first
round.
Milwaukee’s success in the playoffs is almost solely on the shoulders of MVP candidate
Giannis Antetokounmpo. All season, he has carried to the Bucks to wins. Despite poor
defense and a coaching change, the Bucks stayed afloat enough to earn the seven seed.
Still, the coaching mismatch is too great to pick the Bucks. Interim Milwaukee Coach Joe
Prunty is a rag compared to the riches of Brad Stevens.
I expect the Celtics to prevail in six, with the home teams winning each game in the
series until Game 6. Boston may not have the talent advantage, but the intelligence of their
players and staff is far superior.

(3) 76ers 4-3 over (6) Heat
The 76ers ride a 16-game winning streak into what will be the first postseason for nearly
every player on the roster. In the last month, they have looked like the best team in the
league. Young stars Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid combined with defensive stopper Robert
Covington and veteran shooter JJ Redick will prove a tough matchup for any team. Embiid
is expected to miss one or two games, but once he comes back the Sixers should pull out
a win for Philadelphia. Behind strong interior and perimeter defense and above average
transition and halfcourt offense, they might just earn their first series victory since the
infamous Derrick Rose injury in 2012.

Yet, as I just mentioned, no key players besides JJ Redick have played significant or
any playoff minutes. And there is no better team to take advantage of that than the Miami
Heat. Erik Spoelstra is a great coach and is someone who coached in four straight NBA
Finals this decade. He knows how to run a team to win in the playoffs. That is why I think
Miami gives this 76ers team a real test in the first round. With Embiid sitting out at least
Game 1, the Heat can take advantage and steal a game on the road. However, if this comes
down to a Game 7 like my prediction, the advantage goes to the Sixers. The city of
Philadelphia is too hot to lose in the first round.

(4) Cavaliers 4-2 over (5) Pacers

At the beginning of the season, many picked the Pacers to be at the bottom of the Eastern
Conference. After trading away Paul George for what seemed like a poor return, Indy looked
to be heading for the race for the number one pick instead of the playoffs. The return was not
poor. In return for George, the Pacers got Hometown Hoosier Victor Oladipo. He has turned
into a star in just one season with the Pacers and is a virtual lock for Most Improved Player.
Behind him, the city of Indianapolis and the Pacers have not lost a step. Always electric, their
crowd is ready for the postseason. Make sure to tune in to Games 3 and 4 in Indiana. You
won’t be disappointed.

Against the Celtics or the 76ers, I would pick the Pacers to win. But they are not beating
LeBron James in the first round. I really wish it was possible for LeBron to lose, and I will be
rooting for it, but it just won’t happen. Especially against this Pacers team who he has
dominated in recent years. It’s probably too generous to give the Pacers even two wins.

(1) Rockets 4-0 over (8) Timberwolves

This series should not be particularly interesting. The Rockets should easily handle an
inexperienced Minnesota team that lacks the ability to stop anything they do on offense.
James Harden should have his way with anyone besides Jimmy Butler and Chris Paul can
run circles around Jeff Teague on the offensive end. I don’t trust Andrew Wiggins or
Karl-Anthony Towns to even get close to matching the flamethrowing Rockets offense.
Houston will continue to shoot threes, make them, and win each game by a score of
something like 132-115. The Rockets will be cruising into the second round.

(2) Warriors 4-0 over (7) Spurs

Much like the Rockets, I expect the Warriors to cruise in their first round matchup. I get it,
in the regular season, the Warriors looked far worse than in 2017. Even when fully healthy,
which was rare, the team lacked a fire after winning a championship. But now that they are
back in the playoffs, I think that fire is coming back. Kevin Durant alone could win this series
against a Spurs team without Kawhi Leonard and once Steph Curry comes back the Warriors
will look as unstoppable as ever. The top two seeds in the West should be looking forward to
a few days of rest in late April.

(3) Trailblazers 4-2 over (6) Pelicans

This is a tough pick. The Pelicans will have the best player in the series, the Blazers have
a better home court, the Pelicans play better defense centered around Anthony Davis, the
Blazers have a better coach, the Pelicans will have old friend and Celtic legend Rajon Rondo
in the playoffs, the Blazers have a dynamic duo in the backcourt.

At the very least, this series should be fun to watch. Two young teams who overachieved
playing in the first round always makes for a great two and a half hours. For the pick, I’ll take
the Blazers. Anthony Davis may be the best player in the series, but Damian Lillard is very
good in his own right. The Pelicans play better defense, but the Blazers are no slouch with
Nurkic in the post and Al-Farouq Aminu and Mo Harkless on the wing. The Pelicans do have
Rajon Rondo, though. Everyone in Boston remembers Games 1 and 2 in last year’s playoffs.
If he does that again, the Pelicans have a real chance. For now, the Blazers are a safer pick
in six games.

(5) Jazz 4-3 over (4) Thunder

For my only upset of the first round, I’ll pick a 5 seed that shouldn’t be seen as an
underdog at all. Other than Philly, they ended the season as the hottest team in the NBA.
Defensive superstar Rudy Gobert missed time and rookie sensation Donovan Mitchell took
time to settle in early in the season. But once they did, the Jazz took off. Yet, there are a few
things that could haunt them. Losing home court advantage in the last game of the season
was a big loss. Both of these teams have great crowds that could single-handedly carry them
into the second round, and Utah could struggle to win on the road in OKC.

Also, the Thunder have enough talent to surpass the Jazz. For yet another postseason,

Russell Westbrook will be tested on his ability to let off the gas a little bit and sacrifice in order

for the team to reach its maximum potential. Westbrook and his triple-doubles are great, don’t

get me wrong, but that style of play doesn’t win in the playoffs. I’ll take the Jazz in what I

predict will be the closest series of the playoffs. Carmelo Anthony misses a buzzer beater

in Game 7 and Utah escapes Oklahoma with a first round series win.

Second Round Predictions:

East:

(1) Raptors vs. (4) Cavaliers
(2) Celtics vs. (3) 76ers

West:

(1) Rockets vs. (5) Jazz

(2) Warriors vs. (3) Trailblazers

--Submitted by Dylan Woods, Staff Writer