Eastern Conference 2nd Round Preview
By: Steve Risser
In the Eastern Conference, the match ups are set for the 2nd round. The Hawks will take on the 76ers and the Bucks will take on the Nets. We all know the Bucks and Nets should be a competitive series. If Embiid misses time the Hawks and Sixers series, it should be competitive as well.
#5 Hawks vs. # 1 Sixers
On Wednesday, the Hawks and Sixers both closed out their series in 5 games, The Hawks knocked out the Knicks and the Sixers knocked out the Wizards. The heath of Joel Embiid is the story of this series. If he’s healthy, the Sixers should win easily, but if he’s not, it will be a very competitive series. There are 2 things that Hawks need to happen for them to win the series. One is that they need Tre Young to be outstanding just like he was against the Knicks and they need to shoot the ball really well from the 3 point range like they did in game 3 and 4 against the Knicks. In my opinion, even if Embiid doesn’t play, I think the Sixers will win the series because Ben Simmons will be able to contain Tre Young and Tobias Harris. Danny Green and Seth Curry should be able to hit 3’s just like they did against the Wizards.
Series Prediction Sixers in 6
#3 Bucks vs. #2 Nets
The series between the Nets and Bucks is getting so much hype is because of the star power on both sides. We all know about the Nets big 3 with KD, Kyrie and Harden but on the other side, the Bucks have the guy who has won the last 2 MVP’s in Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Bucks will need 3 things to happen if they want to win this series; they need Giannis to be great, they need Giannis to contain Durant, and they need to hit their 3’s. At the end of the day, the star power of the Nets will be the difference in this series. Even if Giannis contains KD, Harden, and Kyrie, it should still have huge series. The problem for the Bucks is they don’t have a superstar outside of Giannis.
Series Prediction Nets in 6
