NBA Playoffs First Round Preview/Predictions

Just about seven months ago we witnessed an NBA playoff set up like no other. Covid-19 put a pause to the NBA season in March and it did not return until July. The NBA bubble down in Orlando was quite the experiment, but it seemingly worked out perfect as they got through the season with little interruption post pause. Ultimately, LeBron and the Lakers outlasted the surging Miami Heat to win the 2020 Finals. Fast forward to the present and the NBA playoffs are back to their normal time in the calendar year. I have no doubt the players will be fired up to play in front of their fans (in some capacity) when it matters most. This shortened 72 game season has led me to believe that the quest for the Larry O' Brian Trophy is wide open.

The Play-In Tournament

In my opinion, Adam Silver has been the best commissioner in sports since taking over for the late David Stern in 2014. However I do not understand the idea of this expanded play in tournament. Why are we rewarding teams that are finishing 9-10th in their conference and punishing those that earned the 7th and 8th seed in their respective conferences. It just seems forced if you ask me in a season that was only shortened by 10 games. In the end, I cannot complain too much as it just means more ball for us fans to watch. Not to mention we get treated to a Steph Vs. Lebron "winner takes all" type of scenario. The winners of the 7/8 games will earn the 7th seed and the loser of those games will play the winner of the 9/10 games for the 8th seed.

Western: (7) Lakers vs (8) Warriors

(9) Grizzlies vs (10) Spurs

Eastern: (7) Celtics vs (8) Wizards

(9) Pacers vs (10) Hornets

Seeding Prediction

Lakers: 7th seed

Warriors: 8th seed (def. Grizzlies)

Wizards: 7th seed

Celtics: 8th seed (def. Hornets)

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First Round Matchups/Predictions

Western Conference:

(1) Jazz v. (8) Warriors: (Based on my Play-In Prediction)

The Jazz get a tough draw here as they are going to have to go up against a red hot Steph Curry. Quite an unprecedented matchup as the top seed. With that being said the Jazz finished the season with a 52-20 record for a reason. They are possibly the most complete team in the league being 4th in points per game and 3rd in points allowed. Steph is going to put up his monster numbers but I believe the Jazz will be able to shut down the Warriors other key figures. The Jazz will also out rebound the Warriors who have struggled on the glass at times this season. Jazz in 5

(2) Suns v. (7) Lakers (Based on my Play-In Prediction)

The Suns were the hottest team in the league when the regular season finished up in the bubble last season. They did not lose a game down there, however they started off slowly earlier in the season and still missed the playoffs. The acquisition of Chris Paul has brought them to the next level. This is an interesting matchup because the Lakers are of course, the defending champions and are way better than the number seed that they will have. Injuries to both AD and LeBron has led to an up and down season for the Lakeshow. I do not think they have played enough games together to win this series. There will be a new NBA champ. Suns in 6

(3) Nuggets v. (6) Blazers

This is probably the toughest matchup to predict the winner of in this conference. The Nuggets have posted a 13-5 record in the 18 games since Jamal Murray tore his ACL. The Joker has stepped his game up even more since the injury and remains in the MVP conversation. This leads me to believe the Nuggets are still contenders. However, I believe the fire power of Damian Lillard along with CJ McCollum will overpower the Nuggets guards and lead to the upset here in round 1 albeit an extremely competitive series. Blazers in 7

(4) Clippers v. (5) Mavericks

Awesome Matchup here as these teams go at it again after the Clippers defeated the Mavs in Round one last year in the bubble. Luka v Kawhi is the main attraction here of course as you have Kawhi looking to win an NBA title with a 3rd different team and Luka, who seems poise to be the future of this league. The Clippers are also looking to avenge their disappointing 2nd round exit to Denver last season. Specifically, Paul George took a lot of heat for his playoff performance in the bubble. He'll bounce back as the Clippers will be able to take the series here and contain the Mavs. Clippers in 5

Eastern Conference

(1) 76ers v. (8) Celtics

The process has been in full effect this season in the city of Brotherly Love. Philly has been feeding off an MVP type season from Joel Embiid, and he could easily come out with the actual award when the time comes here in the near future. We get another matchup from round one a year ago here as the Celtics made the Sixers look like fools in the bubble as they swept them in 4 games. This season will be different as the Sixers have found their mojo under new coach Doc Rivers. Despite efforts from Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum I believe Embiid and Simmons are just too much for them to handle. Sixers in 5

(2) Nets v. (7) Wizards

The Nets are in a funny spot as we head into the playoffs. On paper with James Harden, Kevin Durant, and Kyrie Irving they should absolutely win the NBA title. However the big 3 in Brooklyn have only played seven games together. It is a similiar situation to the Lakers as the stars have just not all been healthy at the same time. However you're talking about three mega stars here vs two for LA. They're too talented of players to not figure it out when it matters most. Beal and Westbrook will get their numbers but they simply don't play enough defense to stay in the games. Nets in 4

(3) Bucks v. (6) Heat

The 3rd seed almost seems disappointing for Milwaukee as they are coming off back to back years of being the top seed in the East. Although they failed to reach the NBA finals in both of those seasons so maybe it's actually a good omen. Giannis won't win his 3rd straight MVP award but we all know what a force he can be. It is an intriguing matchup with up and coming player Bam Adebayo out of Kentucky. How well can he contain the Green Freak, and what can Jimmy Butler produce on the offensive end. It'll be near impossible for him to repeat his magnificent performance in the bubble last year. Despite their best efforts I think Milwaukee will best them here. Bucks in 6

(4) Knicks v. (5) Hawks

This is not a typo. Not only are the New York Knicks back in the playoffs but they will have home court advantage in the first round against Atlanta. The Knicks have seen dramatic improvement across the board but mainly through the likes of RJ Barrett and another MVP candidate in Julius Randle. This is a tough matchup here as Trae Young and the Hawks bigs combo of John Collins and Clint Capela could give the Knicks trouble on both ends. Despite this I do belive Tom Thibodeau will use that defensive minded prowess well here and devise a great gameplan to contain Trae and company. To me this seems like the kinds of series where the first team to 100 points will win and whomever shoots the three ball better will take the cake. Knicks in 7