Let's get right into it.
First Round
Golden State Warriors(1) vs. Los Angeles Clippers(8)
Let's stop for a moment and give the Clippers a round of applause. After trading away their best players two years in a row(Blake Griffin and Tobias Harris), the Clippers refused to embrace the tank and are in the playoffs. The Clips starting lineup consists of three scrappy veterans and two scrappy rookies. Anyways, it was a great run, but they are going to get thrashed by the Warriors. There is a huge imbalance of talent as Golden State has an all-star starting lineup that overmatches the Clippers completely.
Warriors 4, Clippers 0
Denver Nuggets(2) vs. San Antonio Spurs(7)
This matchup is being pegged as a potential upset. The Nuggets have essentially zero playoff experience, while the Spurs have Greg Popovich, possibly the most playoff experienced coach ever. However, after all-defensive point guard Dejounte Murray tore his ACL, there have been significant holes in the Spurs defense that Nikola Jokic and company will likely expose. The Spurs are capable of grabbing a game or two if DeMar DeRozan and/or LaMarcus Aldrdige heat up, but Denver has the clear advantage.
Nuggets 4, Spurs 1
Portland Trailblazers(3) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder(6)
Probably the best first round series, this matchup is flooded with talent. The Thunder have two all-NBA caliber players in Russell Westbrook and Paul George, while the Blazers boast a backcourt of Damian Lillard and CJ McCoullum. The series will likely come down to the two of those pairings facing off. In the end, the Thunder have a slight advantage as the loss of Jusuf Nurkic will deeply hurt Portland. Nurkic impacted both ends of the floor in ways that Enes Kanter can't, and Steven Adams will have no problem shutting Kanter down. The Thunder's lack of bench depth will also cost them a bit, and there will certainly be an array of clutch shots and big time moments.
Thunder 4, Blazers 3
Houston Rockets(4) vs. Utah Jazz(5)
Surprisingly, Houston fell down to the 4th seed on the last day of the regular season after Denver and Portland had dramatic victories. They might have lucked out, as the Jazz are not as good of an opponent as the Thunder might have been. While the duo of Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert is good, they simply cannot match the production of James Harden and Chris Paul. In the series, the Jazz can win a couple of games as James Harden might go cold, and D-Mitch can easily catch fire. For Utah to get over the hump, they need another bit of offensive firepower(see: Kemba Walker, D'Angelo Russell).
Rockets 4, Jazz 2
Milwaukee Bucks(1) vs. Detroit Pistons(8)
This might be the least competitive series of all. The Bucks have the league's best defense and a top 5 offense, and have Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Pistons have Blake Griffin, who, despite being in a career year, is partially injured, and Andre Drummond. The two big men are great, but stand no chance to Giannis and co. The question of this series might not be whether or not the Bucks can win, but if the Pistons can even win one game.
Bucks 4, Pistons 0
Toronto Raptors(2) vs. Orlando Magic(7)
Perhaps, if the Raptors played the Hornets, there was a chance they would have gotten upset because Jeremy Lamb becomes MJ against Toronto. However, that is not the case, and Charlotte missed the playoffs. The Raptors instead get to face the Orlando Magic, who are pretty much Nikola Vucevic and a couple Aaron Gordon dunks. Once again, the Magic are overmatched at possibly every position but center, and the Raptors would likely win this series even if they benched Kawhi Leonard.
Raptors 4, Magic 0
Philadelphia 76ers(3) vs. Brooklyn Nets(6)
Is the Process still processing? That is the question being asked by the 76ers, who went from "processing"(synonym: tanking), to going all-out and acquiring two all-star caliber players. They have a scary starting lineup of Ben Simmons, JJ Redick, Jimmy Butler, Tobias Harris, and Joel Embiid. They also have nobody else noteworthy on their team, and possess arguably the most depleted bench in basketball. Thankfully for them. they should be able to overcome their lack of depth against a young, raw, Nets team that is enjoying their first year of success in a very long time. However, Besides D'Angelo Russell, the Nets don't really have anybody that can go out and get a bucket. Their clutch shotmaking ability might get them a few games, but nothing more than that.
76ers 4, Nets 2
Boston(4) vs. Indiana Pacers(5)
The only thing consistent about the Boston Celtics this season has been their inconsistency. In fact, I bet that if you looked in a dictionary, the Celtics logo would be pictured next to the word. The Pacers performed admirably in the regular season after losing all-star Victor Oladipo to a quad injury, but have a slight problem: Their best player is Bojan Bogdanovic. When going up against the likes of Kyrie Irving, Al Horford, and Jayson Tatum, the situation really comes to light. The Celtics inconsistency paired with the Pacers defense will win Indy a couple games, especially at home, but Boston's talent overwhelms Indianapolis.
Celtics 4, Pacers 2
Told you.
Second Round
Golden State Warriors(1) vs. Houston Rockets(4)
Houston, Milwaukee, and maybe Toronto are the only teams that have proved they can take down the almighty Warriors. Houston will get the first chance out of those teams, and they can take advantage of it. Last year, in the Western Conference Finals, the Rockets looked like they were going to win until Chris Paul injured his hamstring and missed game 6 and 7. In the regular season, the Rockets went 3-1 against the Warriors and even beat them without James Harden. In this series, the Rockets have a chance to work their anti-Warriors magic again. If Harden exceeds his usual 37 point output, and Chris Paul gets the offense together and shuts down Steph Curry, the Rockets might have more firepower than Golden State. Especially if KD or Steph has an off night, Houston can win.
Rockets 4, Warriors 3
Denver Nuggets(2) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder(6)
This is where the pressure might get to Denver. Being faced with a chance to go to the Western Conference Finals is a hard point to get to. Winning that series is harder. Winning against MVP Candidate Paul George and former MVP Russell Westbrook is harder-er. Despite their low season that can be attributed to a slow finish, the Thunder are a better team. Young guns Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray are definitely star sin the making, but aren't capable of winning a competitive playoff series yet. They will win a few games, as the Thunder's depth will come back to bite once again, but their weaknesses will be exploited against OKC. Expect Jokic to be targeted a lot, as he is not exactly known for his defense.
Thunder 4, Nuggets 2
Milwaukee Bucks(1) vs. Boston Celtics(4)
A series rematch from last year, the Bucks and Celtics have quite a history. The 7 game showdown in last year's first round was one for the ages, and it might get better this year. The Bucks might have an advantage on paper, as Giannis, Khris Middleton, and Eric Bledsoe are all-star caliber. However, Boston has an insane amount of potential that could finally kick in on a big stage. Gordon Hayward, who might start in replacement of the injured Marcus Smart, finished the year strong, and could keep his hot hand. The Celtics have not lost when he exceeds 20 points, and Hayward is the X-Factor for Boston If Hayward gets going and the Celtics rally around that, they can win this series.
Celtics 4, Bucks 3
Toronto Raptors(2) vs. Philadelphia 76ers(3)
Is this is the year that Toronto finally gets past the second round. LeBron, who kills the Raptors like Jeremy Lamb, is no longer competition. The Raptors, who have new talent like Kawhi Leonard and Pascal Siakam have an edge over Philly. The "bench mob" unit from last season is not as good as last year, but still very much intact. Fred VanVleet, Marc Gasol, and OG Anunoby all are better than every single player on that horrendous Philly second unit, and Toronto will win using their backups. Philly are definitely not going to go down without a fight, and if JoJo Embiid gets going, there isn't a player in the league that can stand in his way.
Raptors 4, 76ers 3
Third Round
Houston Rockets(4) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder(6)
For the first time in 4 years, the Warriors won't be in the Western Conference Finals. This series has potential to be legendary. Both teams match up very well, with both of them having two stars and somewhat underrated centers(Clint Capela and Steven Adams). James Harden and Paul George might go off for 50 bombs in every game of the series, and Chris Paul and Russell Westbrook will square off in a competiton to see who can get he most assists. Not to sound like a broken record, but, the Thunder's underwhelming second unit will cost them to series, and Houston will go to the NBA Finals.
Rockets 4, Thunder 2
Milwaukee Bucks(1) vs. Toronto Raptors(2)
This series might be the most tightly contested one of the whole playoffs. Both teams have superstars, sidekicks, and a fabulous assortments of role players to surround them. They also both have coaches that are in the first year with their team. Both Nick Nurse and Mike Budenholzer have done a very good job of changing their system and both teams have high rankings on offense and defense. In this series, experience will be the deciding factor. The Raptors have consistently made the playoffs, and have championship experience, while almost everyone on the Bucks have had either one or zero playoffs under their belt.
Raptors 4, Bucks 3
NBA Finals
Toronto Raptors(2) vs. Houston Rockets(4)
At long last, the Warriors/LeBron James will not be winning the NBA Championship. In a series that might be the best case scenario for the league, the Rockets will get to play the Toronto Raptors. Here, the get Chris Paul a ring movement should be on full display. With his first real chance at a championship, CP3 will play lights out. Accompanied by the walking 30 points, the Rockets triumph over the Raptors. Toronto will give it their best effort, and Pascal Siakam and Kawhi Leonard both have opportunities to make clutch shots and win games. The Raptors fall just short in a thrilling game 7.
Rockets 4, Raptors 3
Finals MVP - Chris Paul
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