NBA Playoffs Preview


The NBA Playoffs kick off today. I decided to make my predictions. Fair warning, these will probably be the worst NBA playoff predictions you read this year.

Eastern Conference:
1. Boston Celtics
2. Cleveland Cavaliers
3. Toronto Raptors
4. Washington Wizards
5. Atlanta Hawks
6. Milwaukee Bucks
7. Indiana Pacers
8. Chicago Bulls

Opening Round: Celtics over Bulls (closer than you'd think); Cavaliers over Pacers, Raptors over Bucks, Wizards over Hawks.

Second Round: Wizards over Celtics; Cavaliers over Raptors

Easter Conference Finals: Cavaliers over Wizards

About: Yes, the Celtics earned the one seed, but they are an inexperienced team. And it's not like they killed it all season. The Cavaliers stumbled to close the season, but they have plenty of talent and LeBron James has been in six straight NBA Finals. I have no doubt they can and will make it back. The door is open, but the Eastern Conference is weak.

Western Conference:
1. Golden State Warriors
2. San Antonio Spurs
3. Houston Rockets
4. L.A. Clippers
5. Utah Jazz
6. Oklahoma City Thunder
7. Memphis Grizzlies
8. Portland Trailblazers

Opening Round: Warriors over Blazers; Spurs over Grizzlies; Thunder over Rockets; Jazz over Clippers

Second Round: Spurs over Thunder; Warriors over Jazz

Western Conference Finals: Warriors over Spurs

About: There are a couple of Western Conference Teams I don't believe in. The Clippers are one of them. The other is the Rockets. James Harden had a great season, but I think the playoffs are about individual players rising to the occasion. I think Russell Westbrook will make his presence felt in the opening round. The Thunder aren't a strong enough team to make it through the Western Conference, but they are strong enough to make it through round one! Still, I think it comes down to the Warriors and the Spurs. And I think the Warriors are too talented, especially with KD back in the fold, to get beaten.

NBA Finals: Warriors Over Cavaliers

About: It's fair to argue that the Cavs got a little lucky last year. But I think the Warriors have too good a roster, and the Cavs are too tired. At some point, LeBron needs a little break. He played too many minutes during the season, he's played in every finals for the past six seasons, and he'll probably have to play a ton of minutes to get to the finals again. In the rubber match, I think it's the Warriors who win, getting KD that elusive NBA title.

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