This week I am going to discuss the upcoming NBA Playoffs. With the playoffs just weeks away I figured I would look at a playoff picture that has become clearer.
As of right now the standings are as followed:
East
- Bucks 2. Raptors 3. 76ers 4. Celtics 5. Pacers 6. Pistons 7. Nets 8. Heat
-In the hunt: 9. Magic and 10. Hornets
West
- Warriors 2. Nuggets 3. Rockets 4. Trail Blazers 5. Jazz 6. Clippers 7. Spurs 8. Thunder
So as of this date (3/31/19) the first-round match ups would be:
East
1v8: Bucks vs Heat, an easy win on paper for the Bucks but a veteran Heat team could push this series to 5 or 6 games.
4v5: Celtics vs Pacers, the series that length will be determined on who gets homecourt and ends in the 4th seed. I would take Celtics but could turn out to be an interesting series.
3v6: 76ers vs Pistons, 76ers have one of the best, but most inconsistent starting fives in the league. What should be a clean sweep for the 76ers could turn into a longer series from the inside dominant play from Pistons Blake Griffin and Andre Drummond.
2v7: Raptors vs Nets, a lot of NBA love to watch the Nets play but I see the Raptors being able to escape this series relatively easy.
West
1v8: Warriors vs Thunder, I see this going the Warriors way, but a Durant vs Westbrook matchup will always be entertaining.
4v5: Trail Blazers vs Jazz, I give the Jazz the edge in this series due to their incredible defense. I could see this series going either way and maybe even seven games. Losing Nurkic could be a huge impact on the Trail Blazers postseason success.
3v6: Rockets vs Clippers, I think the Rockets should handle this series easily but like the Heat in the East, I don’t think that the group of veterans on the Clippers are just okay with making the playoffs. Should be a very chippy fun series.
2v7: Nuggets vs Spurs, I believe this will be the best series no one is talking about or watching. The Nuggets are a team that is capable of running up the score, well the Spurs are never out of it when Gregg Popovich has talent on his roster. All I know for sure is not a lot of defense will be played in this series.
Now I will give you my early Playoff picks.
Round 1
East
Bucks over Heat (4-1)
Celtics over Pacers (4-2)
76ers over Pistons (4-1)
Raptors over Nets (4-0)
West
Warriors over Thunder (4-2)
Jazz over Trail Blazers (4-3)
Rockets over Clippers (4-0)
Nuggets over Spurs (4-2)
Round 2
East
Celtics over Bucks (4-3)
76ers over Raptors (4-3)
West
Warriors over Jazz (4-1)
Rockets over Nuggets (4-2)
Semi-Finals
East
Celtics over 76ers (4-2)
West
Warriors over Rockets (4-2)
Finals
Warriors over Celtics (4-3)
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyHtjh2xJ6s)
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