ALL-STAR NBA Playoff Predictions (Round 1)
Simoun: Welcome, one and all, to the ALL-STAR NBA Playoff Predictions for Round 1! Our picks here are predicated on analysis with just a wee bit of bias. Because bias adds intrigue, yes?
Joining me in this predictions piece is an esteemed individual who once pointed out to me the difference between white wine and champagne. Introduce yourself, friend.
Naveen Ganglani: In the words of Stephen A. Smith, “He’s a baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad man!”
Simoun: Wow, that’s 15 As. Almost as many championship banners as the Boston Celtics. With all the pleasantries out of the way, let’s get right to it!
Round 1 – Western Conference
#1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #8 Memphis Grizzlies
S: Thunder over Grizzlies in 5. Memphis doesn’t scare me like they used to. Anyone here intimidated by Ja Morant’s weapon-inspired gestures?
N: Thunder over Grizzlies in 5. OKC has done everything the right way when it comes to winning this season. I can’t say the same about Memphis.
#4 Denver Nuggets vs #5 Los Angeles Clippers
S: Nuggets over Clippers in 7. Amidst all the turmoil in the Mile High, Denver still has the best player in the world and a handful of the talented supporting cast that won a title with him just two years ago. Take note, dear readers, that this is coming from a James Harden apologist who has seen The Beard’s highs and lows in the playoffs. This is unbiased, mind you.
N: Clippers over Nuggets in 7. It’s a shame that we got this series way too early because they were the west’s most impressive-looking teams to close out the season. I 100% agree with what Denver did by firing Coach Malone and GM Booth. If you know your season is bound for the dumps, why not spark it up, no matter how late might be? Give everyone a refresh and change the energy. It’s worked for the Nuggets, unfortunately, they’re running against a healthy Clippers team that’s the best they’ve looked in the Kawhi era. This has the makings of a classic playoff series.
#2 Houston Rockets vs #7 Golden State Warriors
S: Warriors over Rockets in 7. With all due respect to Fred VanVleet and Jeff Green, I don’t think the Rockets have anyone on their roster with playoff know-how comparable to that of Steph Curry, Draymond Green, and Jimmy Butler.
N: Warriors over Rockets in 6. I feel bad making this pick. I know it will suck to hear “but you can already consider the season a success because you were the 2-seed” to a bunch of hard-nosed competitors, but it doesn’t change it from being true. I wouldn’t be shocked to see the Rockets somehow advance, but I think when it comes to tight late-game situations, which are often this time of the NBA calendar year, Golden State has the two best closers out of both teams in Curry and Butler.
#3 Los Angeles Lakers vs #6 Minnesota Timberwolves
S: Lakers over Timberwolves in 6. Anthony Edwards will make this interesting up to a certain point. After that, the mind-boggling star power of LeBron James and Luka Doncic will take over. And yes, this is me thoroughly eating my words right after the blockbuster Doncic trade went down. Sorry na talaga.
N: To be fair to you, Simoun, we haven’t seen a fully-healthy, new-look Mavs squad yet, although one can’t deny Davis has always been an injury risk. That’s one of the reasons why the trade was a major W for the Lakers, who have looked like title contenders the last two months. I expect their small ball lineups to neutralize Rudy Gobert as a threat on defense, and with their combined star power of Doncic, James, and Reaves, they should take care of an admirable Anthony Edwards and Minnesota squad in 5 games.
Round 1 – Eastern Conference
#1 Cleveland Cavaliers vs #8 Miami Heat
S: Cavaliers over Heat in 5. Forgive me, Mr. Ganglani.
N: Heat in 5. Do not ask me about logic. The sliders for that have been turned down. 🙂
#4 Indiana Pacers vs #5 Milwaukee Bucks
S: Pacers over Bucks in 7. This is a tough series to call. In terms of offensive and defensive rating, there’s little separation between the Pacers and the Bucks. In the end, I think homecourt advantage in Game 7 and Damian Lillard’s rust will give Indiana a slight edge in this playoff series.
N: Pacers over Bucks in 6. This would be a different conversation if Damian Lillard is healthy. Unfortunately for the injury-hit Bucks, it could turn into another playoff run of “what could have been?” I would pick Milwaukee over Indiana otherwise, but Indiana plays at too fast a pace and has too many scorers.
#2 Boston Celtics vs #7 Orlando Magic
S: Celtics over Orlando in 4. It’s time for the big boys to play, which means Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown will be in full-fledged beast mode. In my view, this will be the only sweep of this year’s playoffs. Am I too harsh?
N: Celtics over Magic in 5. It’s funny how people seem to have forgotten about Boston, the defending champions, huh? They were solid to end the regular season, they shoot and make a whole lot of three-pointers, and they will be on a mission to retain their title. The talent of Banchero and Wagner might win Orlando one game, although the Celtics should take care of business sooner than later.
#3 New York Knicks vs #6 Detroit Pistons
S: Knicks over Pistons in 6. Stephen A. Smith has confessed that the Pistons “scare the living hell” out of him. The resurgence in the Motor City is admirable, but there’s a reason why Jalen Brunson has been figuring in the MVP conversation over the past few years.
N: Knicks over Pistons in 5. The Playoffs are a different game. Detroit’s run has been tremendous, but as a team, the Knicks should be able to outplay them.
