I'm sure everyone is aware that the NBA season is currently suspended with no confirmed date when it will be back. This has led to many theories ranging from the playoffs starting immediately to the whole season being scrapped.
As the playoffs were due to start this weekend, I will be doing a playoff prediction bracket based on the current seedings.
Eastern Conference - 1st round
1. Milwaukee Bucks v 8. Orlando Magic
As most 1v8 matchups go, they were usually very predictable and over in 5 games at worst. I can't see this changing with this matchup, the Bucks have been so strong this year and the Magic are 5 games below .500
Result: Milwaukee Bucks in 4
2. Toronto Raptors v 7. Brooklyn Nets
The Nets have had their fair share of problems this season, from trying to integrate Kyrie into the team, his injuries and a coaching change. If Kyrie is healthy during this series I can see the Nets stealing a game as they already have a decent roster. However I think the Raptors will be too strong and will with relative ease
Result: Raptors in 5
3. Boston Celtics v 6. Philadelphia 76ers
On paper this looks like a mouth-watering series and we have Philly's dreadful road record for this. Both teams are so talented in different ways and it seems almost cruel that one will be out in the 1st round. I am a really big fan of the 76ers potential but they are very frustrating at times, while the Celtics have had to manage having 4 players who could all be number 1 options and haven't had any problems. My gut feeling tells me the Celtics will close this series out mainly because of their chemistry
Result: Celtics in 6
4. Miami Heat v 5. Indiana Pacers
This looks like the 2nd season in a row where the Pacers will be the 5th seed but still get swept away easily by a 4th seed. The 4/5 matchup is traditionally close as not much separates them in the regular season. The Miami Heat have surprised everyone this season, admittedly the Pacers have aswell but I see the Heat as genuine ECF contenders. Unfortunately this looks like another early exit for the Pacers
Result: Heat in 5
Western Conference - 1st round
1. Los Angeles Lakers v 8. Memphis Grizzlies
The Lakers have put last year failures behind them and were pulling clear in the West while the Memphis Grizzlies were arguably more successful given their circumstances. The Grizz, led by rookie Ja Morant have been great this season and an 8th place finish gives us an insight into their potential. Despite their success, I cant see them troubling the Lakers too much.
Result: Lakers in 4
2. Los Angeles Clippers v 7. Dallas Mavericks
First off, this looks like a great match. The Clippers have been good all season and look great when fully healthy, while the Mavs have done well to solidify a playoff spot. Luka is clearly a superstar but I feel like the Clippers will be too strong this year.
Result: Clippers in 5
3. Denver Nuggets v 6. Houston Rockets
Two teams with very opposing playstyles, one relies on their centre to be their offensive hub while the other does not even play with one. This is a very intriguing matchup and it could lead to more questions on the importance and fluidity of positions in the NBA. I think the Rockets are better than their seed suggests and despite the Nuggets turning into a great team with a lot of depth, I can see Houston's star power taking over.
Result: Rockets in 7
4. Utah Jazz v 5. Oklahoma City Thunder
Be honest, who expected OKC to be the 5th seed after trading away their 2 best players? They've surprised everyone this season and Sam Presti as managed to construct a very competitive team. The Utah Jazz remain a very solid team (for now) and if luck goes their way they are WCF contenders but I sense an upset in this one. OKC have done so well this season and I think they will progress from the 1st round for the 1st time since KDs departure.
Result: OKC in 6
Eastern Conference - Semi Finals
1. Milwaukee Bucks v 4. Miami Heat
The Bucks will certainly face a tougher test in the form of the Miami Heat, while I have no doubt the Heat will rise to the occasion and play hard. My gut feeling tells me the Bucks will still be too strong and despite a few scares will close this series in 6.
Result: Bucks in 6
2. Toronto Raptors v 3. Boston Celtics
This series might come down to coaching as both rosters are so deep. One thing I know for sure is this will be a long series and I can see it going 7 games. Toronto will have home advantage and have the championship pedigree to help them, I think this might be 1 year too soon for this Celtics roster
Result: Raptors in 7
Western Conference - Semi Finals
1. Los Angeles Lakers v 5. Oklahoma City Thunder
Once again, it looks like grinding for the 1st seed in the regular season is worthwhile. Lakers v OKC should be quite straightforward with LA having the 2 best players on the court. I'm going with a gentlemens sweep here as I think this team led by CP3 can grind a way against LA.
Result: Lakers in 5
2. Los Angeles Clippers v 6. Houston Rockets
I said at the start of the season that the Rockets will beat everyone in the West until they run into an LA team. With the Rockets style of play they probably match up better with the Clippers (than the Lakers) but I still cant see them getting 4 W's in a 7 game series. Kawhi and PG will be too strong on both sides of the ball.
Result: Clippers in 6
Eastern Conference - Finals
1, Milwaukee Bucks v 2. Toronto Raptors
A rematch of last years ECF and spoiler alert...I can see the same result happening. The Bucks are clearly a great regular season team but I feel like they a missing something despite their roster looking and playing great. The Raps have proved they are still a great team without Kawhi and in truth, he hasn't been missed too much this season. To me, this series comes down to trust, and I trust the likes of Pascal Siakam, Kyle Lowry and Fred Van Vleet to make plays on both sides of the ball when it matters.
Result: Raptors in 6
Western Conference - Finals
1. Los Angeles Lakers v 2. Los Angeles Clippers
Maybe I'm being a bit boring by choosing both 1st and 2nd seed teams to make the conference finals but I think they deserve to make it this far. So finally, we have an all LA conference final, with all the games in 1 arena. That poses the question; will homecourt advantage really count?
Since the Bron/AD Kawhi/PG duos were formed, this was a matchup worthy of the NBA finals, nevermind the conference finals but we will have to settle for this. Despite the Lakers being the 1st seed, I think the Clippers have the edge. I like the depth of the Clippers especially in scoring so I can see them squeezing this series out. This was a battle of head and heart for me, I want Lebron and the Lakers to win and they are definitely capable but my head is saying the Clippers
Result: Clippers in 7
NBA Finals
2. Toronto Raptors v 2. Los Angeles Clippers
The Kawhi Leonard derby is born! The Raptors were written off once Kawhi left so to make the finals will be deemed almost as impressive as their finals win last year. While the Clippers were elevated to title contenders once landing Kawhi.
This is the series where Kawhi makes NBA history by becoming the 1st player to ever win finals MVP on 3 different teams. I trust the Raptors to give it their all and push the Clippers to a hard fought series but its hard to see Kawhi losing.
Result: Clippers in 6
