It has started, the pretenders and contenders to the National Basketball Association throne in a fight for survival where only one reigns supreme.
The Eastern Conference:
Milwaukee versus Detroit – We all know who leads Milwaukee and he has a strong frontline support. The Bucks manhandled Detroit and Giannis was just being Giannis, unstoppable. The Pistons just looked lost and Blake Griffin’s knee issues did not help their cause that Milwaukee wrapped up the series in four games and advanced to the next round after 18 years. The Pistons meanwhile got swept in their last three post season appearances and dating back to 2008, now owns an NBA record of losing 14 straight playoff games.
Toronto versus Orlando – Both teams evened their 4-game regular season series with similar 2-2 win-loss records. But in their series opener, the Magic casted a spell on the favored Raptors but in the next three games, Toronto had an antidote to Orlando’s magic and everything went poof. Nikola Vucevic, Evan Fournier and Aaron Gordon could explode for Orlando and they’ll win a game at home, but I’ll say Toronto advances in six games.
Philadelphia versus Brooklyn – The Nets got away with a Game 1 win over the Sixers at the Wells Fargo Center and D’Angelo Russell had proven to Magic Johnson that he can lead a team. With probably the league’s best center in the cocky but effective Joel Embiid, Philly regrouped and won the next three games. I’ll go for Philadelphia in five games.
Boston versus Indiana – The Celtics swept the Pacers but this does not mean that Indiana was overmatched. They had tight games and Boston’s winning margin averaged only 7.5 points in four games. Experience prevailed over inconsistence.
The Western Conference:
Golden State versus LA Clippers – The Clippers just don’t have enough to stop the Warriors. Yes, DeMarcus Cousins is out for the rest of the post-season but Andrew Bogut has filled the vacuum just fine. That was a tsamba win LAC had and it woke Golden State out of their over confidence nap. Warriors in five.
Denver vs San Antonio – Coach Greg Popovich needs no introduction and his two biggest stars, LaMarcus Aldridge and DeMar DeRozan are playoff veterans plus Patty Mills and Marco Belinelli who had won titles with the Spurs. Coach Mike Malone is in his first post-season appearance and outside of Paull Millsap, the rest of the Nuggets are playoff first timers. This series is tied at 2-2 and it could go the distance. I’ll go for experience. Spurs in seven.
Portland vs Oklahoma – The Blazers won’t let their first round exit last year happen again with the backcourt duo of Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum scoring at will. OKC have their own one-two punch in Paul George and Russell Westbrook but the latter controls the ball too much. Westbrook and Lillard have their own on-court drama with the former taunting the latter. Portland leads the series 3-1 and chances are, Lillard will rock Westbrook to sleep when they advance in five games.
Houston vs Utah – Starring Donovan Mitchell who scored 31 points, 19 of them in the 4th quarter, Utah lived another day to play another game. He had help from the unlikeliest of scorers in Jae Crowder and Royce O’Neale. James Harden is being his usual self but let’s give it to the Jazz for their defensive efforts and hustle. Houston will recover from this set back and will have lift off towards the next round in five games.
I could be wrong with my forecasts, but I could also be right. Whatever. It’s the playoffs and we love this game!/PN
