2018 NBA Playoff Predictions

2018 NBA Playoff Predictions

EAST

(Quarterfinals)

(8) Washington Vs (1) Toronto

This does not feel like a 1 Vs an 8 it feels more like a 3 Vs 6 or 4 Vs 5 matchup because we all know that the Wizards are better than an 8 seed. Let’s not forget John Wall missed a lot of time this year and now that he is healthy I can see the Wizards putting up a fight. With 2 awesome backcourts this should be a fun series but in the end the Raptors development of its bench will play crucial in the number 1 seed moving on.

Toronto wins series 4 games to 2

(5) Indiana Vs (4) Cleveland

I did not have the Pacers coming even close to making the playoffs when this season got underway but Victor Oladipo had his best season ever. Indiana did not miss Paul George as much as we thought but the Cavaliers are on a whole different level. LeBron James will continue to show why he is the best player in the world. Cleveland makes quick work of Oladipo and the Pacers.

Cleveland wins series 4 games to 0

(7) Milwaukee Vs (2) Boston

As we all know Kyrie Irving is out for the season and that is a big problem if you are a Celtics fan especially since Marcus Smart will not be available in this series either. The youth of Brown and Tatum has carried Boston and it will need to carry them if they want to win this series. There is a man named Giannis Antetokounmpo playing in this series and that is a big problem for the Celtics. Boston had a great season but there will be a lot of unhappy Celtics fans after the Bucks come into TD Garden and take Game 7.

Milwaukee wins series 4 games to 3

(6) Miami Vs (3) Philadelphia

I have never been a big fan of the Heat all season long and I am still really not a big fan. Yes, Hassan Whiteside is a good building block for this franchise and Goran Dragic is a solid point guard but Philadelphia comes into these playoffs winning 16 straight and that is without Joel Embiid for the stretch run. Ben Simmons will show in this series why he deserves rookie of the year and 76ers fans can start talking about how they got a hell of a basketball team once again.

Philadelphia wins series 4 games to 1

(Semifinals)

Cleveland Vs Toronto

This has the chance to be an all-time great series and with LeBron James having Kevin Love healthy that will be huge in the Cavaliers chances. Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan are going to show the rest of the NBA why they should not be counted out because they both will have a monster series. Somehow and someway LeBron is going to lead another team once again to another great run. Kyrie Irving is not here anymore but LeBron still is. James has his best series ever and the Cavaliers take Game 7 in Toronto.

Cleveland wins series 4 games to 3

Milwaukee Vs Philadelphia

Who would have thought that either Milwaukee or Philadelphia would be going to the Eastern Conference Finals! Certainly not me but Joel Embiid is healthy and that is a big concern if you are a Bucks fan. Milwaukee will not have an answer for Embiid and Ben Simmons will carve up the Bucks. Markelle Fultz shows he has loads of potential. Antetokounmpo is going to have to do a lot and he will but it will not be enough to stop the hottest team in basketball.

Philadelphia wins series 4 games to 2

(Eastern Conference Finals)

Cleveland Vs Philadelphia

These teams played a hell of a basketball game in the last week of the Regular Season and this series is going to be almost as fun. James and Love going up against Embiid and Simmons. What’s not to love? Philadelphia is looking to bring another sports team to a championship but Cleveland will not let that happen. The best player in the world resides in Cleveland and Philly will put up a fight but in the end the Cavaliers are once again going to the place where they have been the last 3 seasons.

Cleveland wins series 4 games to 2

WEST

(Quarterfinals)

(8) Minnesota Vs (1) Houston

Just like I said in the East this really does not feel like a 1 Vs 8 series because the Timberwolves are much better than an 8 seed. The only problem is they are playing the Houston Rockets and James Harden and Chris Paul are about to have lots of fun in their 1st playoff series together. Don’t get me wrong Towns, Wiggins, Butler and Teague are an awesome cast of players too have. The way Houston played all season long I do not see them losing their series even with the Wolves winning a game or 2.

Houston wins series 4 games to 1

Utah (5) Vs (4) Oklahoma City

The fact that Utah had the season it had without Gordon Hayward is unbelievable. Donovan Mitchell emerged for the Jazz as a potential NBA Superstar and many are already comparing him to Russell Westbrook. Mitchell Vs Westbrook is about to be lots of fun. I just think that Steven Adams matches up too well with Rudy Gobert and the supporting cast of Carmelo Anthony and Paul George will be a little too much for the Jazz to handle. All credit goes to Utah on the season they had.

Oklahoma City wins series 4 games to 1

(7) San Antonio Vs (2) Golden State

Steph Curry will not be suiting up for Golden State while Kawhi Leonard will not be suiting up for San Antonio. That means if San Antonio wants any chance then they will need someone besides LaMarcus Aldridge to step up in this series and I am afraid it will be tough for that to happen. Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson will be too tough to stop for the Spurs even with one of the best coaches ever on their side. This Spurs team is aging and this will end their last real shot at anything special.

Golden State wins series 4 games to 1

(6) New Orleans Vs (3) Portland

Yes this really is a series in the 1st round! After the Pelicans lost DeMarcus Cousins for the season I thought all hope was lost for anything. They have surprisingly played very well and that is because they have one of the best players in the NBA in Davis and also their acquisition of Mirotic has been crucial. Let’s not forget Rajon Rondo is playing great basketball. Damian Lillard forms one of the league’s best backcourts with C.J. McCollum and the 2 of them will be hard to guard for the Pelicans. I say Portland needs someone else to step up besides the 2 of them and that is not going to happen. Anthony Davis is a beast and he carries New Orleans to a huge 1st round series victory

New Orleans wins series 4 games to 3

(Semifinals)

Oklahoma City Vs Houston

This is everything I wanted to see. Russell Westbrook Vs James Harden how could you not love this. The big factor in this series will be whose bench wants to step up and I think the Thunder are going to have lots of trouble. Eric Gordon will be the X factor for Houston in this series and the only reason Oklahoma City wins a couple games will be because of Westbrook and George. Steven Adams will have some issues with Clint Capela and James Harden shows why he is the MVP.

Houston wins series 4 games to 2

New Orleans vs Golden State

Even if Steph Curry is not available for Golden State I am not too concerned with how the Warriors will approach this series. We all know that Anthony Davis will put up good numbers but Jrue Holiday is the man who I think could have a very nice series. Still even if those 2 play well like I expect, Golden State is just too good to lose to these Pelicans. Draymond Green will need to step up for the Warriors and the Pelicans can make some of these games interesting, no doubt about that but the defending champions will not let Anthony Davis beat them.

Golden State wins series 4 games to 1

(Western Conference Finals)

Golden State Vs Houston

This is what many people expected at the beginning of the season and this is what should happen. Steph should be good to go and this is going to be as entertaining of a series as you are going to see in these NBA Playoffs. If any team in the West can knock off the Warriors, it is Houston and this is finally the year that Golden State will not be appearing in the finals. James Harden and Chris Paul playing together is one of the best things that has ever happened and they play better than Curry and Klay for most of the series. Draymond Green does not look good while Trevor Ariza and Eric Gordon continue to make key 3 pointers. The Rockets are going to the NBA Finals and they have the NBA MVP along for the ride.

Houston wins series 4 games to 3

(NBA Finals)

Cleveland Vs Houston

LeBron James Vs James Harden. We have a James on each side and it is finally good to see an NBA Championship that does not consist of the same matchup as we have seen for the last 3 years. LeBron has lost 2 of the last 3 Finals appearances he has been in and he is back again with a completely new Cavaliers team. In order for Cleveland to bring home the trophy Kevin Love will need to be unreal. Clarkson, Hood, Nance, and Hill were all quality additions but I am sorry Cleveland fans you just do not have enough to beat the best team in the NBA. Houston, your Rockets have just brought home their 3rd title and 1st since 1995.

Houston wins series 4 games to 2

NBA Finals MVP- James Harden