Yesterday Jim regaled you with his picks for the first round and now it’s my turn to set the record straight and do this properly.
Eastern Conference
Don’t expect more than one upset in the East this postseason.
1 vs 8 – Bucks vs Heat You don’t usually see a number 1 seed upset by a number 8 seed and you won’t see it here. Miami stumbled into the playoffs, hopeful that their veteran crew will give the youngsters the confidence they need to play over their heads. But hope and $5.00 will buy you a coffee from Horton’s and that’s about the best Miami is going to be able to muster. Maybe they get one game, maybe they don’t. Giannis and the experienced Bucks aren’t going to feel much more than a speed bump on their way to the second round.
2 vs 7 Celtics vs Hawks As with the 1 vs 8 match up, this isn’t going to be much of a series for Boston’s battle hardened troops. Boston’s big 3 can play with anyone in the league and the Hawks, well, they don’t even have a big 2. Boston in 4, let’s move on.
3 vs 6 76ers vs Nets There are 3 really good teams in the East this season – the Bucks, the Celtics and the 76ers. So while the Nets did a great job of hanging in through the balance of the regular season after losing Kyrie and Kevin Durant, they in no way have the talent, ability or postseason experience to keep up with a motivated Joel Embiid and James Harden. Most likely 76ers in 4 if Joel stays motivated.
4 vs 5 Cavs vs Knickerbockers Really the only series in the East with any excitement, the more experienced Knicks take on a young, talented, inexperienced team. This is a series that could go either way. The Knicks will need solid contributions from Brunson, Randle and Barrett and if they get it, the balance could tip in their favor. Cleveland just needs to stay composed and not fall into the inexperienced trap of trying to do too much in the playoffs. Cavs in 7 if you want to know what I think, but I wouldn’t bet any money on this one.
Western Conference
Unlike the Eastern conferences’ 3 big gorillas, in the West as many as 3 series are up in the air.
1 vs 8 Nuggets vs Wolves The Nuggets feature one of the most dominating big men ever to play the game in Nikola Jokic and owned the West this season. The Wolves have 2 big men who really haven’t meshed. Nothing more needs to be said. Nuggets in 4.
2 vs 7 Grizz vs Lakers If Rob Pelinka doesn’t win GM of the year this year for the moves he pulled off at the trade deadline, we’ll know the league was in cahoots to make some of those trades happen. As a result, this series becomes a dice roll likely to be determined by the officials. Wow, sounds dark and conspiracy laden, something that wouldn’t be suggested if it were anyone else but the Lakers. It is unfortunate but more people watch the playoffs when the Lakers are in it and that generates more money. So sure, the fix could be in. Lakers in 7.
3 vs 6 Kings vs Warriors Like the Knicks/Cavs series in the East, this one is also about experience vs youth. The Warriors big 3 each have 4 rings while the Kings have a bunch of young guys with almost zero postseason time. If the Warriors are to win, Curry will need to dominate, Green will need to play all NBA defense and keep his head and Andrew Wiggins will have to perform consistently. For the Kings, they will need an all round ensemble effort, guys stepping up for guys who are having off nights, etc. Who will win? Kings in 6.
4 vs 5 Clippers vs Suns Maybe my favorite first round series features heavily load managed Kawhi Leonard vs heavily injured Kevin Durant. The Suns also have Devin Booker, Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton while the Clippers have an injured Paul George who may or may not be back during this series. Take the Suns, probably in 6.
That’s it! We hope you have fun watching the first round!