by: Gianluca Colageo Milea
The NBA Playoffs would have started this past weekend, so we decided to break down our
predictions...
First Round
(1) Lakers vs. (8) Grizzlies
The Lakers seem to be a team of destiny this year after the passing of the great Kobe Bryant. LeBron James and Anthony Davis have been a force to be reckoned with for most of the year securing them the one seed. The Lakers firepower will prove to be too great for a young Memphis team. I would get used to seeing the Grizzlies playing in late April, especially with their young core led by Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson but the King will have something to say about that this year.
Prediction: Lakers
(4) Jazz vs. (5) Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder have been the surprise of the year. Floor general Chris Paul averaged 17.7 points and 6.8 assists and backcourt mate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 19.3 ppg. The Thunder were seemingly going to enter a rebuilding phase when they traded Russell Westbrook and Paul George for a myriad of first round picks through 2026. The Jazz are led by the tandem of Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert. There have been many reports of tensions building between Mitchell and Gobert after the Jazz big man mocked the highly contagious Corona Virus and presumably spread it to his All-Star teammate. Despite the broken relationships and chemistry issues on the Jazz, the Thunder were one of the hottest second half teams in the NBA and were clicking on all cylinders.
Prediction: Thunder
(3) Nuggets vs. (6) Rockets
The Beard will have his work cut out for him as he faces off against Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets. Jamal Murray, Paul Millsap, Gary Harris, and the Joker have willed their side to another high seed in a difficult Western Conference. James Harden and new running mate Russell Westbrook will have to find a way to get stops against a hard nosed Nuggets team. The Rockets traded away bright young center Clint Capela to the Hawks in a move that left them with the 6’5 P.J. Tucker as their starting big man. Having Tucker guard someone with Jokic’s skill set is a tough ask. The Nuggets should be able to have their way down low against a much smaller Houston side. As long as Denver can limit scoring outbursts from Westbrook, Harden, and Gordon they should be able to move through to the second round.
Prediction: Nuggets
(2) Clippers vs. (7) Mavericks
Luka Doncic is a future MVP in this league. Kristaps Porzingis is an All-Star. Jalen Brunson has quickly emerged as a more than capable backup point guard. All of this considered, along with many other pieces, including Tim Hardaway Jr., Seth Curry, Maxi Kleber, and Dwight Powell; the Clippers will overwhelm Dallas. In an era where “Big 3s” have become almost a prerequisite for a championship, Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, and Montrezl Harrell have the potential to be up there with James, Wade and Bosh. The Clippers traded a large part of their future when they acquired Paul George from the Thunder in the trade heard around the world this summer. Los Angeles had already acquired Kawhi Leonard and George is an excellent complement. The team is all in on these next few seasons. The Clippers should be able to overcome Rick Carlisle’s side; however, if they want to make a run for a ring they will likely have to go through their Staples Center counterparts.
Prediction: Clippers
(1) Bucks vs. (8) Magic
The Magic have a nice young team with the likes of Aaron Gordon, Nikola Vucevic, Mo Bamba, and Jonathan Issac. The Bucks have a team that is ready to contend for a ring now. The Greek Freak, Khris Middleton, and Eric Bledsoe will not allow a first round upset here. After another dominating season, the Bucks certainly have the makeup to make a deep run into this year’s playoff bracket.
Prediction: Bucks
(4) Heat vs. (5) Pacers
The Heat have been another pleasant surprise this season. After Jimmy Butler decided to take his talents to South Beach, the team began to gel. Bam Adebayo and Kendrick Nunn have had unbelievable seasons. Duncan Robinson has emerged as a very good role player. The team was also able to add former Finals MVP Andre Iguodala. Overall, Miami is definitely a complete team, even though it is unclear as to whether they can compete with teams like the Bucks and Raptors, they definitely are a sleeper team in the East. On the Pacers side, Domantas Sabonis has had his way with opposing big men. The Gonzaga product is averaging 18.5 ppg and 12.4 rpg during his first All-Star campaign. Malcolm Brogdon has also been a nice pickup for the team, as he has been able to control the pace while Victor Oladipo dealt with injury. A fully healthy Pacers team will also be a squad to be reckoned with. I would look for this match-up to go 7.
Prediction: Heat
(3) Celtics vs. (6) 76ers
These are both very, very talented teams. The Sixers are finally reaping the benefits of “Trusting the Process” and the Celtics are enjoying their continued success under Head Coach Brad Stevens. With the departure of Kyrie Irving, Kemba Walker has stepped in nicely and has been able to lead a young, yet playoff tested, Celtics team to a successful regular season. Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum have continued their spectacular young careers, and Marcus Smart shows up time and time again as the team’s defensive stopper. The Sixers are led by Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. The team lost Jimmy Butler during free agency, but were able to retain Tobias Harris and sign Al Horford. The Horford signing was one that confused many of the Sixer faithful and has ultimately not gone as planned, with Horford finding himself relegated to a bench role. This has the potential to be a very entertaining series; however, with the Celtics having home court advantage that could prove to be too much for the Sixers to overcome. Philadelphia is truly a different team away from Wells Fargo posting a 29-2 home record and just a 10-24 away record.
Prediction: Celtics
(2) Raptors vs. (7) Nets
Kevin Durant has reiterated that he most likely will not play this season. He has been silent since contracting the Corona Virus and likely delaying his rehab while being quarantined. Barring an incredibly lengthy delay which would allow Durant to return to the lineup at full health, the Raptors seem to be too much for Brooklyn to handle. Spencer Dinwiddie is more than capable of stepping in for the injured Kyrie Irving; however, rushing the Slim Reaper back just one year after tearing his achilles as a result of a premature return to the hardwood seems doubtful. Pascal Siakam and Fred Vanvleet have taken tremendous steps forward after the departure of Kawhi Leonard. Kyle Lowry has once again put together a nice year and provided The Six with another dominant season in the Eastern Conference. Coming off of a Championship year, the Raptors will be a difficult out, especially in the first round.
Prediction: Raptors
NBA Championship Prediction
The King has something to prove, just a season removed from not making the playoffs for the first time since 2005. With running mate, Anthony Davis, Los Angeles has one of the best duos in the league. They will have to overcome a difficult Western Conference and one of the most competitive playoffs we have had in recent memory, not to mention the face off with the Eastern Conference Champion. I would not be so quick to count LeBron out just yet, he still has the physical ability and basketball IQ to lead a team to his 4th ring.
Prediction: Lakers
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