With the 2020 NBA Playoffs right around the corner, there are so many storylines heading into the first round. All first-round matchups are best-of-seven format.
Eastern Conference:
Milwaukee Bucks (1) vs. Orlando Magic (8)
The Milwaukee Bucks have been the class of the Eastern Conference throughout the 2019-2020 NBA season and the Bucks have been on a mission all season to bring a championship back to Milwaukee for the first time in nearly five decades (1971). The Magic will prove to be no match for the Bucks, and it would be shocking if this series was not a sweep. The Bucks must dispatch Orlando as quickly as they can as they gear up for a deep playoff run.
Prediction: Bucks in 4
Toronto Raptors (2) vs. Brooklyn Nets (7)
The Brooklyn Nets have acquitted themselves far better than expected in the NBA bubble, and have been able to do so with a roster that is a shell of the one which took the court to begin the season. The Nets are 5-3 in the bubble, but their band of misfits will not be able to overcome what is a far superior team in the Raptors. The only question in this series is if the Nets will be able to make this series a competitive one, or if the Raptors will completely dismantle a team that is playing far above their potential. It is plausible the Nets will be able to scratch out a game on pure moxie and heart.
Prediction: Raptors in 5
Boston Celtics (3) vs. Philadelphia 76ers (6)
This series looks far more intriguing on paper than it will be when it plays out on the hardwood. Philadelphia was one of the most enigmatic teams before the NBA season shut down, and nothing has changed in the Orlando bubble. Each year the 76ers fall short of expectations, and the dynamic duo of Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons fizzles out as the pressure ratchets up. The injury-plagued Embiid was also bitten by the injury bug yet again when he was forced to leave a recent game because of a wrist injury. How effective the oft-injured big man will be in the playoffs is unknown. Simmons will also be unavailable for the playoffs due to a knee injury. The Celtics have played far better than the 76ers all season, and should be able to dominate Philadelphia, officially putting the final nail in the coffin of the Brett Brown era in “The City of Brotherly Love.”
Prediction: Celtics in 5
Indiana Pacers (4) vs. Miami Heat (5)
These two teams faced one another on the final day of the regular season to determine the final seeding, not that it has much bearing with there being no home court in the bubble. These teams are evenly matched, and this will make for the most entertaining first-round series in the Eastern Conference. When two teams are this evenly matched, it becomes important to boil down a series to a few key factors. As is usually the case in the playoffs, coaching will be a determining factor in which team will move on. The Heat are led by two-time NBA champion Erik Spoelstra while the Pacers are coached by Nate McMillan. While McMillan is an above-average NBA coach, he is nowhere near as accomplished as Spoelstra. The Heat also have Jimmy Butler in their corner, and he has shown time and time again that he is a clutch performer. This quality will shine through against the Pacers, and help to lift the Heat is what should be a back-and-forth series. Butler will make a few more plays than Pacers star Victor Oladipo to put the Heat over the top.
Prediction: Heat in 6
Western Conference:
Los Angeles Lakers (1) vs. Portland Trailblazers (8)
The Trailblazers squeaked their way into the playoff field by prevailing over the Memphis Grizzlies in a “play-in game” for the final playoff spot. The Blazers and Lakers enter the playoffs going in two completely different directions. Portland has been the most surprising team in the bubble while the Lakers have been one of the most disappointing ones. The Lakers have struggled on both ends of the floor at times during the NBA restart, and LeBron James has also struggled at times in Orlando. Anthony Davis, and the rest of the supporting cast, will ultimately lead to the team’s undoing and cause James to get bounced in the first round of the NBA Playoffs for the first time in his illustrious career. The Blazers are simply playing too well, and it is on the backs of Damian Lillard, C.J. McCollum, and a great supporting cast that an upset of epic proportions will take place on paper, but not in reality.
Prediction: Blazers in 7
Los Angeles Clippers (2) vs. Dallas Mavericks (7)
The dynamic duo of Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis makes the Mavericks one of the most fascinating teams in the entire league, but mere intrigue will not lead to a series win. The entire Clippers organization has been gearing up for the playoffs this entire season because the regular season means nothing to them. This season has always been championship or bust for the Clippers. The Clippers will have a tough opponent in Dallas which will help them gear up for stiffer competition throughout the playoffs.
Prediction: Clippers in 5
Denver Nuggets (3) vs. Utah Jazz (6)
Even though this is a 3-6 matchup, the teams are only separated by a few games in the standings which means the series can go either way. Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. has taken advantage of the opportunities afforded to him in the bubble and will be an integral part of the playoff push for the Nuggets. The Jazz have been disappointing in the bubble, going 3-5, and are 0-3 against Denver this season. All of these factors will allow Denver to upend Utah in what should be a thoroughly entertaining series.
Prediction: Nuggets in 5
Houston Rockets (4) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (5)
The fact that this series has so many storylines will make it that much more intriguing. Former Thunder players Russell Westbrook and James Harden face their former team while ex-Rocket tries to exact revenge on his former team. This series will boil down to the health of Westbrook because the all-star point guard is expected to miss part of the series due to a quadriceps injury. This means that Harden will have to shoulder more of the load until his running mate gets back on the court. This recipe should fill Rocket fans with trepidation because Harden has struggled in the playoffs in years past as he seems to wilt late in games. The style of Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni has also proven to not work in the playoffs. The Thunder, on the other hand, have been a shocking team this season. Paul was presumed to be traded to a contender after coming over from Houston, but instead, Oklahoma City has themselves in a great position entering the playoffs. Both teams are very even, but the health of Westbrook, or lack thereof, will give OKC the opening they need to advance in the playoffs.
Prediction: Thunder in 7
Comments