The NBA Playoffs are back and so are my predictions. There are some really tough matchups to call here but I'll do my best.
We'll start in the East:
(1) Miami Heat vs (8) Milwaukee Bucks- Heat 4-0. If this series isn't a sweep I'll be shocked. Miami is in the zone and locked in on a 2nd straight championship. This shouldn't be close.
(2) New York Knicks vs (7) Boston Celtics- Knicks 4-2. This series will be one for the ages. Celtics should win a couple of inspired games at home, but the Knicks will be too much for them shooting the 3. Rooting for Boston of course (Boston Strong!), but reality sets in and the Knicks should prevail. Game 6 will be won by less than 5 points.
(3) Indiana Pacers vs (6) Atlanta Hawks- Pacers 4-1. The Pacers are a classic "big-boy" team. Hibbert and West will dominate the boards and handle the, at times, inconsistent Atlanta Hawks. If Indiana had to face Chicago instead, it would be a very close series as these two teams are very similar.
(4) Brooklyn Nets vs (5) Chicago Bulls- Bulls 4-2. This is a tough series to call. I initially wanted to pick the Nets, but I feel their playoff inexperience will come back to haunt them. The Bulls are a very good rebounding team, and that should give them the edge in the series. Not sure how banged up Joakim Noah is, but the Bulls and their blue-collar work ethic in the paint should be enough.
And now to the West:
(1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs (8) Houston Rockets- Thunder 4-1. I'm being generous giving the Rockets one game here. I think James Harden will be inspired to play well against his former team for a game, but the Thunder have too much firepower and will win in 5.
(2) San Antonio Spurs vs (7) Los Angeles Lakers- Spurs 4-1. How in the world did the Lakers get in? Talk about a season of adversity! Howard and Gasol will keep this series interesting. All 5 games will be very close, but I give the edge to the Spurs. Tony Parker will be too much to handle and will be the MVP of the series. This one will be fun to watch!
(3) Denver Nuggets vs (6) Golden State Warriors- Nuggets 4-1. Kudos to the Warriors making the playoffs this year and congrats to Steph Curry for setting the record for most 3-pointers in a season. The Nuggets have played great this year and get no press. Even without Gallinari, they are a high octane offense that will roll over Golden State and their inferior defense.
(4) Los Angeles Clippers vs (5) Memphis Grizzlies- Clippers 4-3. This was another really difficult series to predict. I don't know very much about Memphis, but it seems that they quietly put together a nice season. This should be a highly entertaining series and the only one I think will go 7 games. Again, tough to call, but I like Lob City in this one. Yuvo, play funk!
Stay tuned for Round 2 predictions! Till then... Stay strong Boston! We love you!
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