The Raptors are ready to defend their championship.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Kim Klement/AP.)
Well, it’s that time of the year again. The NBA Playoffs are here! IT’S GOING DOWN.
(VIDEO CREDIT: FCH13.)
That honestly should be the playoff theme every season. Or Roundball Rock. We know THAT is the basketball theme.
Anyway, we know that nothing is normal these days. No home court advantage to speak of. It’s a neutral court everyone is playing at. Some have opted not to play because of the pandemic. But the NBA has done a good job containing everyone in the Disney Bubble. No positive tests since they started.
Without further ado, here are my predictions. Go to me to lottery numbers if I’m correct.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
#1 MILWAUKEE BUCKS vs #8 ORLANDO MAGIC
The Bucks played very uneven in the bubble at 3-5. But their talent is still too overwhelming against the Orlando Magic. The Magic also lost their best defensive player in Jonathan Isaac because of a torn ACL. I don’t expect this one to last too long.
PREDICTION: BUCKS IN 4.
#4 INDIANA PACERS vs #5 MIAMI HEAT
T.J. Warren had an awesome start in the bubble but guess who slowed him down? The Heat did. Can Warren get back his mojo and dominate the series? He’ll probably have a few games where he’ll drop 30 but it won’t be enough with no Domantas Sabonis and a banged-up Victor Oladipo. Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, and company are ready to lock down.
PREDICTION: HEAT IN 6.
#2 TORONTO RAPTORS vs #7 BROOKLYN NETS
Well, first off, remember this?
(VIDEO CREDIT: 1:57 Pictures.)
Gosh, I miss the times when we can all go out and be in a crowd. Anyway, the Nets have a ton of heart and Caris Levert can flat-out take over a game. But they don’t have much talent besides that while the Raptors are a legit contender even in post-Kawhi times.
But it’s also tradition that they lose Game 1 so…
PREDICTION: RAPTORS IN 5.
#3 BOSTON CELTICS vs #6 PHILADELPHIA 76ERS
The Celtics closed the regular season (throw away that Wizards game) in a flourish. Kemba Walker is getting healthier and Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have been a powerful 1-2 punch. Meanwhile, Ben Simmons is out for the duration of the season and Joel Embiid and Tobias Harris have to pick up the slack. I don’t think Philly has much of a chance here and now I’m worried about the Sixers future with talks about breaking up Joel and Ben. Ugh.
PREDICTION: CELTICS IN 5.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
#1 LOS ANGELES LAKERS vs #8 PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS
It’s Margot Robbie-sexy to pick the upset here. The Blazers, despite porous defense, have played well. And we know Damian Lillard has been devastating. I can understand this, especially with the Lakers not playing too well in Disney.
But we know the Lakers have a switch. We know LeBron James does, too. They probably won’t have anyone to stop Dame but do the Blazers have anyone to stop LeBron and Anthony Davis? I will say, though, that this will not be a cakewalk. But I have trouble believing Rip City can actually pull this off.
PREDICTION: LAKERS IN 6.
#4 HOUSTON ROCKETS vs #5 OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER
Subplots galore! James Harden was drafted by the Thunder! Russell Westbrook and Chris Paul were traded for each other last summer! Westbrook won’t be available for Game 1, at least.
Harden better get some help from his cast. Eric Gordon is capable. Ben McLemore resurrected his career in Houston. P.J. Tucker will give up his body (not his shoe collection, though) for a win or four. But OKC Thunder has been solid all season. Dennis Schroder had the best season of his career. Danilo Gallinari has been steady. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander might be the next coming of Brandon Roy. Andre Roberson is back to play his hellish D. Steven Adams is a bear. And Chris Paul is still the Point God.
It all depends on Westbrook coming back, really. But for now, I got…
PREDICTION: THUNDER IN 6.
#2 LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS vs #7 DALLAS MAVERICKS
This is going to be a show. Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis will dazzle everyone. But we all know what the Clippers can do defensively. And they’re not so bad on getting points, either.
To me, this is more for the Mavs getting experience. I don’t expect them to get close to an upset. And the Clippers here are on a mission so…
PREDICTION: CLIPPERS IN 5.
#3 DENVER NUGGETS vs #6 UTAH JAZZ
The loss of Bojan Bogdanovic really hurts the Utah offense. They also lost Ed Davis for the series and Mike Conley had to leave for a few games for the birth of his child. Meanwhile, we got the breakout star of the bubble in Michael Porter, Jr.. With the craftiness of Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray doing his thing, this doesn’t seem to be much of a challenge going against the Utah Jazz, who didn’t look too great in Disney.
PREDICTION: NUGGETS IN 5.
IT’S GOING DOWN.
Rey-Rey is on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass.
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