NBA Playoff First Round Preview
By Steve Risser
Eastern Conference
8. Wizards vs. 1. Sixers
On Thursday night, the Wizards got into the playoffs by beating the Pacers 142 to 115 in the play in tournament. Even though they won big last night, they will have a very difficult time beating the Sixers. A big reason for that is Ben Simmons should be able to contain Russell Westbrook and the Wizards will have to double Embiid in the post which is going open up opportunities for Seth Curry, Danny Green and Tobias Harris to hit 3’s and I think they’re going to hit a lot of them in this series.
Series Prediction Sixers in 5
7. Celtics vs. 2. Nets
Even though the Celtics won Tuesday night to get the 7 seed, this should be the biggest mismatch of the first round. The Nets have Harden, Kyrie and Durant heathy at the right time and with Jalen Brown out and the way the Celtics have played this year it’s going to be really hard for them to be competitive in this series.
Series Prediction Nets in 5
6. Heat vs. 3. Bucks
The Bucks are trying to get revenge on the Heat who knocked them out in the 2nd round last year. A big reason for that was the way the Heat contained Giannis before he got hurt and the Heat shot the ball better from the perimeter. This year should be different because the Bucks are a better 3-point shooting team, last year as a team they shot 35.5 percent from 3-point range which was 18th in the NBA, this year 38.9 percent from 3-point range which is 5th in the NBA. Their improved 3-point shooting should be enough to get them past the Heat.
Series Prediction Bucks in 6
5. Hawks vs. 4. Knicks
The most interesting series in the first round is the Knicks and Hawks. A big reason for that is the lack of experience on both sides the Hawks have not been in the playoffs since 2017 and the Knicks haven’t been since 2013. I think the Knicks win this series because of their 3 Point shooting and their defense, The Knicks have 4 guys that shoot over 40 percent from 3 Point range, Julius Randle, Alex Burks, Reggie Bullock and RJ Barrett. The Knicks are also number 1 in the NBA in Points allowed because of that they should be able to contain a Hawks team that has the better starting 5 and that is better on the offensive end.
Series Prediction Knicks in 7
Western Conference
8. Grizzlies vs. 1. Jazz
Despite the Grizzlies win Friday night over Warriors in the play in tournament and the outstanding performance by Ja Morant, they should be overmatched in their series against the Jazz . There are 2 reasons why one is Donavan Mitchell is back the other is the Jazz are a much better 3 point shooting team the Jazz Shot 38.9 percent from 3 this year which was 4th in the NBA the Grizzlies shot 35.6 percent from 3 which was 20th in the NBA.
Series Prediction Jazz in 5
7. Lakers vs. 2. Suns
The most interesting series in the Western Conference is the Lakers and the Suns. It’s weird that the Lakers are the number 7 seed but a big reason for that is Lebron James missed 27 games due to having an ankle injury. The Suns have had a great year but the last thing that they wanted was to play the Lakers in the first round. I think the difference in this series is the Suns don’t have two players that are as good as AD and LeBron, Their best player Devin Booker is great but he’s not on LeBron and AD’s Level and Chris Paul did a great job this year helping change the culture in Phoenix but he’s only averaging 16 points per game.
Series Prediction Lakers in 6
6. Blazers vs. 3. Nuggets
Damian Lillard has a great chance to win his 4th playoff series for the Blazers as they take on a Nuggets team without Jamal Murray. Don’t get me wrong Nikola Jokic is a great player and in my opinion he should the MVP this year but the problem is the guard play on the Blazers is going to be too much for the Nuggets. The only chance the Nuggets have in this series is if Michael Porter Jr. plays great if he doesn’t the Blazers should win the series.
Series Prediction Blazers in 6
5. Mavericks vs. 4. Clippers
The Mavericks are trying to get revenge on what happened last year when they were eliminated by the Clippers in the first round. To have any chance to beat them this year they are going to need Kristaps Porzingis and Tim Hardaway Jr. to step up. I think the Mavs give the Clippers trouble in this series I think they have the major coaching advantage Rick Carlisle is a much better coach then Ty Lue but ultimately the difference in this series will be Kawhi being able to contain Luka and the Clippers 3 Point Shooting where they are shooting 41.1 percent from 3 point range this year which was first in the NBA.
Series prediction Clippers in 7
