If you haven't watched any NBA playoffs, this post is meant for you. It's still early in the postseason, a lot of things are being said about players, but we have to talk whether or not it's too early or too late. I also have made an NBA Bracket for the playoffs but that will be shown in a separate blog post after the playoffs are over, or at least after the first round is over.
-Suns/Pelicans-
Midway- Series is tied 1-1, Chris Paul needs to lead Deandre Ayton and 6th man of the year finalist without Devin Booker as they're facing the ultimate underdog team led by Brandon Ingram and C.J McCollum. I ultimately think the Suns will pull this series off and win.
Aftermath- Suns win 4-2 against the Pelicans, The Suns surprisingly had Devin Booker return in game 6, Deandre Ayton came up big and provided great size and production as they beat the tough Pelicans team. Chris Paul needed to provide a 100% field goal percentage in game 6 as he carried them to the win.
-Grizzlies/Timberwolves- Grizzlies are up 2-1, Anthony Edwards, D'Angelo Russell, and Patrick Beverly, need some help taking down the Grizzlies and Desmond Bane. Karl Anthony Towns has to dominate, which he hasn't done, the Timberwolves are capable of winning this series but I don't think they will.
Aftermath- Grizzlies win 4-2 against the Timberwolves, The Timberwolves played a hell of a series, Anthony Edwards, Beverley, Russell, and Towns, all had glimpses and moments where it looked as if they could pull off the upset, but the Grizzlies held them off as Desmond Bane and Brandon Clarke helped Ja Morant and the Grizzlies pull off the win. They simply played as though they wanted the Warriors more than the Timberwolves did.
-Warriors/Nuggets- Warriors are up 3-0, Jordan Poole has earned himself a lot more trust by playing well when they need him, he's been scoring and helping the Warriors win. The entire Warriors team is able to help each other and pick up some slack, which the Nuggets aren't doing as Nikola Jokic is the only one making a huge difference for them but it won't capitalize into wins. The Nuggets will get swept most likely.
Aftermath- Warriors win 4-1 against the Nuggets, The Nuggets got swept in the gentleman-like form. The Nuggets fought hard, Monte Morris came up big and helped Nikola Jokic get one win but the Warriors had too much offense and Draymond Green seemed to make it extremely tough for Jokic in the 4th quarters.
-Mavericks/Jazz- Mavs are up 2-1, This is unreal. The Mavericks have Spencer Dinwiddie and Jalen Brunson, but no Luka Doncic, and they are somehow up 2-1 on Donovan Mitchell, Rudy Gobert, and the Jazz. I think Mike Conley having 0 points makes a good reason for the Jazz to lose game 2, but then they went on to lose game 3. I don't think the Jazz will win this series whether Luka plays or if he sits.
Aftermath- Mavericks beat Jazz 4-2, Sigh. As much as I want to laugh and make fun of a team for simply underperforming in the playoffs year after year, I can't help but feel bad for Donovan Mitchell. Luka Doncic came back in the middle of the series, which was huge, and they seemed to take advantage of Rudy Gobert's size by forcing him to come out to the perimeter on defense.
-Heat/Hawks- Heat are up 2-0, I simply think the Heat have more weapons on both ends of the court to beat the Hawks. P.J Tucker helps the team a lot as they can switch and still make it tough for Trae Young. I think the Heat will win this series in 4 or 5 games.
Aftermath-Heat beat Hawks 4-1, Trae Young wasn't enough to carry the Hawks to a win, but he actually struggled a lot which didn't help his team. The Heat were simply better, more poised, and wanted it more than the Hawks did.
-Celtics/Nets- Celtics up 2-0, Both games have been very close, and I think will continue to be close but Ben Simmons is returning in game 4. With that being said, I think the Celtics will win in 5 or 6 games. Kevin Durant struggled last game, and may struggle a bit more which can also dictate how the team plays.
Aftermath- Kevin Durant continued to struggle, for his standards, and his team got swept in four games and there are lots of things being said about the Nets. The bottom line is, the Celtics did something I haven't seen, they shut down Kevin Durant. I'm not sure they can shutdown Giannis next round, but if any team is capable of it, that team would be the Celtics.
-Bucks/Bulls- Series is tied 1-1, I think this series will go 6 games or 7 games and the Bucks will win. Brook Lopez will have to help Giannis, but their experience should be enough to hold the Bulls to less points.
Aftermath- Bucks beat Bulls 4-1, The Bucks destroyed the Bulls. I like the Chicago roster, they clearly missed Lonzo Ball, and lacked in size and playoff experience against the Bulls/
-76ers/Raptors- 76ers are up 3-0, Whether or not James Harden is playing great or mediocre, he seems to be doing what he has to do to get his team to win. He is a threat on the court at all times, he has great court vision for Maxey, Harris and Green. The Raptors' game to win was game 3 but they couldn't hold on and I think the 76ers will win the series in four.
Aftermath- 76ers beat Raptors 4-2, The 76ers did hold on to the series, but now we wait to see when their star player Joel Embed will return. James Harden, Tobias Harris, Tyrese Maxey, and Danny Green all came up big in the series win, but they're going to have a very tough time with the Heat without Embiid.
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