NBA Playoff Predictions — First Round
Let The Games Begin!
Western Conference First Round:
(1) GSW vs. (8) POR
Brandon — Portland can pull out a game or even two, but in the end… Golden State over Portland 4–1
Matthew — Golden State Warriors over Portland Trailblazers 4–0
Benjamin — Golden State Warriors over Portland Trailblazers 4–1.
Avi: GS wins in 4, but look for Dame Lillard to go crazy and average above 30 points in the series. If Nurkic comes back healthy that throws a small monkey wrench into it, but I don’t see the Blazers pushing the Warriors to more than 5 games. This round is really just a formality.
(2) SAS vs. (7) MEM
Brandon — Memphis is no match. San Antonio over Memphis 4–0
Matthew — San Antonio Spurs over Memphis Grizzlies 4–2
Benjamin — San Antonio Spurs over Memphis Grizzlies 4–1.
Avi: Spurs over Grizzlies in 6.
(3) HOU vs. (6) OKC
Brandon — Heart over head. OKC over Houston 4–3
Matthew — Houston Rockets over Oklahoma City Thunder 4–3
Benjamin — Houston Rockets over Oklahoma City Thunder 4–2.
Avi: Rockets over Thunder 4–1. Enjoy the Season of Westbrook while we’ve still got it folks. There’s no way he’s going out quietly. Harden will also be on the hunt to prove that he’s the real MVP after the outpouring of support for Westbrook. This will be fun while it lasts.
(4) LAC vs. (5) UTA
Brandon — Could go to game 7. Clippers are playing good ball now, however, UTA over LAC 4–3
Matthew — Los Angeles Clippers over Utah Jazz 4–1
Benjamin — Los Angeles Clippers over Utah Jazz 4–2.
Avi: This is probably the best series of the first round. I want the Jazz to take it because I think the Clippers need to blow up their team in the offseason if they want a legitimate shot at a championship but somehow I don’t see them losing, especially with home-court advantage for Game 7. Clips over Jazz 4–3. Watch for the emergence of playoff Gordon Hayward and Rudy Gobert, all they need are a few big nights and that could change the trajectory of the whole series.
Eastern Conference First Round:
(1) BOS vs. (8) CHI
Brandon — I love D.Wade. I want him to win, but theres no way. Boston over Chicago 4–1
Matthew — Boston Celtics over Chicago Bulls 4–2
Benjamin — Boston Celtics over Chicago Bulls 4–0.
Avi: Celtics over Bulls 4–3 (IF Fred Hoiberg can fix his lineup problem and figure out a way to bring Wade off the bench as a super sixth man).
(2) CLE vs. (7) IND
Brandon — Not worried at all. Cavs over Pacers 4–0
Matthew — Cleveland Cavaliers over Indiana Pacers 4–1
Benjamin — Cleveland Cavaliers over Indiana Pacers 4–0.
Avi: Cavs over Pacers 4–1. This’ll be a nice wakeup round for the recently lagging Cavs.
(3) TOR vs. (6) MIL
Brandon — Upset coming. Milwaukee over Toronto 4–2
Matthew — Toronto Raptors over Milwaukee Bucks 4–2
Benjamin — Toronto Raptors over Milwaukee Bucks 4–1.
Avi: Raptors over Bucks 4–2.
(4) WAS vs. (5) ATL
Brandon — Washington will handle these guys. Washington over Atlanta 4–2
Matthew — Washington Wizards over Atlanta Hawks 4–3
Benjamin — Washington Wizards over Atlanta Hawks 4–0.
Avi: Washington over Atlanta 4–1. I really want that Celtics-Wizards matchup in the East Semis. PLEASE LAWD!!
