NBA Playoffs – Second Round – Predictions

​Hello NBA Basketball Fans,

 

The first round of the NBA Playoffs had zero upsets in terms of underdogs defeating the favourite.  All higher seeds held on to win their matchups.  In both the Eastern and Western Conference, the Top 4 seeds prevailed.

 

Let’s have a look at all four second round matchups and my predictions for this next round.

 

 

​#1 Miami Heat Vs #4 Philadelphia 76ers

 

Unfortunately for the 76ers MVP candidate Joel Embiid suffered an orbital bone fracture late in their game 6 clincher against the Toronto Raptors.  Tough luck for this team who were up 3-0 after the first three games of the series.  Their failure to close out the series and coach Doc Rivers reluctance to remove Embiid out of the game up 29 points may come back to haunt this team and possibly end up costing him his job if they lose.  The Miami Heat are suffering from injuries of their own.  Veteran Kyle Lowry is listed out for Game 1 and six other players on the injury report are game time decisions, including leader Jimmy Butler.  However, most reports have everyone expect Lowry on track to play.

 

​If Joel Embiid was healthy, I would give the 76ers and much better chance of winning this series.  With him out for Game 1 & 2, I cannot fathom how Philly will be able to muster enough offence against one of the best defensive teams in the NBA to prevail victorious.  Miami is too tough with their defensive schemes.  They absolutely shut down one of the best offensive players Trae Young in the first round.  Without Joel to help take away some of the attention and pressure on James Harden.  Miami coach Erik Spoelstra will IMO, make it almost impossible for Harden who looks to have lost a step or two this year, to pull it off himself.  If they have any chance, Tyrese Maxey the difference maker in the Raptors series will have to maintain some of those insane 30 point per game numbers, and that seems unsustainable.

 

Miami I feel will be too much for the short-handed 76ers to handle and even if Joel Embiid comes back, I believe it will not be enough to win this series.

 

Prediction – Miami Heat wins the series in 5 games.

 

#2 Boston Celtics Vs #3 Milwaukee Bucks

 

Boston Celtics was clicking on all cylinders in their first-round sweep of the Brooklyn Nets.  Jason Tatum and Jaylen Brown proved to better that future Hall Of Fame dynamic duo Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irvin.  This series proved that defence wins in the playoffs.  Boston’s team defence was anchored by DPOY Marcus Smart, and the return of mobile, physical defender Robert Williams help them close out the series.  Defending champions Milwaukee Bucks made short work out of the rising Chicago Bulls.  Giannis led his team to an easy five game series win to set up this great second round matchup. 

 

Milwaukee’s injury to their second-best player Khris Middelton is a huge lost.  He sprained a ligament in his knee and status for the second round is unknown.  Most likely he will miss most, if not the entire series.  It is hard for me to bet against Giannis as I view him as the best player in the league.  I think as the defending champ, MVP, and Final MVP and with LBJ and Kevin Durant faltering this year.  Giannis has official earned the best player on the planet tag at current moment.  How do you bet against someone who has his game face on, even during All-Star games.

 

This series will be physical.  This series will be exciting.  This series will come down to 7 games.

 

Prediction – Milwaukee Bucks will find a way and pull it off in 7 games with or without Khris Middleton.

 

​#1 Phoenix Suns Vs #4 Dallas Mavericks

 

The Phoenix Suns had a much tougher first round than originally anticipated.  The injury to Devin Booker and a surprising effort from play-in team New Orleans Pelicans took this series to six games.  The Dallas Mavericks overcame an injury to their star player Luka Doncic who returned in Game 4 to help his team overcome a tough series with the Utah Jazz.

 

Phoenix when healthy is probably the strongest overall team in the league.  They proved that during the regular season with a league leading 64 wins.  Although Luka Doncic is a great talent and one of the top players in the league.  I just do not see how a healthy Suns team will have too many problems with Dallas.  Phoenix are the defending Western Conference Champions, they have great team cohesion and every one knows their role on this team.

 

Chris Paul and Devin Booker will prove to be too much for the Dallas Mavericks to handle.  I find it hard to even see Dallas winning a game in this series.

 

Prediction – Phoenix Suns will sweep the Dallas Mavericks in 4 games.

 

#2 Memphis Grizzles Vs #3 Golden State Warriors

 

Memphis had a much tougher first round against the Minnesota Timberwolves than many experts predicted.  They are lucky to have pulled off the victory.  GSW easily handled a short handed Denver Nuggets squad who despite the heroic effort of MVP candidate Nikola Jokic who did not have the help of his injured teammates Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr.

 

Memphis is a rising young team led by the dynamic high flying assassin Ja Morant.  He is surrounded by a deep, young talented team.  The Grizzles have many players who can be that second or third player on given nights.  It doesn’t necessarily have to be the same guy who steps up to help Ja Morant.  However, GSW have the championship DNA and pedigree.  Championship Veterans Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green are staples however the rich keep on getting richer.  Jordan Poole has stepped up this year with injuries to other stars and has developed into a force to be reckon with.  If that is not enough, if needed GSW have youngsters of their own deep in the bench, ready to step up if needed in Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody.

 

Ja Morant is my favourite player to watch in the NBA.  He is up for the task and has shown the ability to hit clutch shots and lead his team.  However, GSW is too deep, too talented, and too experienced.  

 

Prediction – Golden State Warriors will prevail in what I think will be a great series.  GSW will win a thrilling series in 7 games.

 

I see Miami Heat moving on to play the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference Finals and Phoenix Suns meeting up with the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference Finals.