2018 NBA Playoff Predictions
It's that time of year again. The hockey playoffs are in full swing! But seriously, after an entertaining end of the regular season, the NBA playoffs are set to start on Saturday. This year features a bunch of squads that all could have a realistic chance at winning a title this year. I'd go as far as to say that this is the most balanced playoff bracket we've seen in years. However, as we all know, only one team can win in the end. In this article, I will give my 2018 NBA Playoff Predictions, as well as explanations for each pick I make.
Honorable Mentions
9th Seed in the West: Denver Nuggets
This team deserves to be in the playoffs over some squads, such as the Pelicans. The Nuggets had a pretty tough schedule throughout, and the injury bug continued to plague them until the very end of the season. If Paul Millsap had stayed healthy this year, then this team would definitely be in the western conference mix.
9th Seed in the East: Detroit Pistons
After a blazing hot start to the season, the Pistons fizzled out faster than you can say "horrible trades". Making a move for Blake Griffin seemed like a great idea in theory. Pairing him with Andre Drummond is a great idea for an NBA that existed 20 years ago. However, with today's emphasis on long range shooting and versatility, trading away Tobias Harris and Avery Bradley made virtually no sense since they are much more versatile than Griffin. This trade alone sent a once hot Detroit team into the tank.
Western Conference
Round 1
Houston Rockets vs Minnesota Timberwolves
Pick: Rockets in 5 games
Explanation:
This is the easiest series to call in the entire playoff bracket. Houston was particularly dominant all season, and there's no reason to expect anything else in the playoffs, despite the bad history key pieces of this team have. This series is more representative of the fact that although the Timberwolves finally ended their playoff drought, they still have a long way to go to be competitive with the top teams in the West.
Golden State Warriors vs San Antonio Spurs
Pick: Warriors in 6 games
Explanation:
This series is the story of which team has better secondary stars. Both Steph Curry and Kawhi Leonard will be out with injuries, meaning that Kevin Durant and LaMarcus Aldridge respectively will have to step up to get the job done. However, Durant has by far the better supporting cast, so don't expect the reigning champions to go down this early. If Kawhi had decided to come back after being medically cleared, then this would be a very different story, but his voluntary absence is going to cost his franchise a deep playoff run.
Portland Trail Blazers vs New Orleans Pelicans
Pick: Trail Blazers in 6 games
Explanation:
Anthony Davis will win a playoff game this year. However, without superstar DeMarcus Cousins helping him out in the front court, then this team is lackluster and inconsistent at best. Meanwhile, the Trail Blazers have been very surprising this season, meshing together better than anyone expected and somehow achieving a 3rd seed in a crowded western conference. However, Portland has struggled as of late, so I predict this series goes on longer than it should while Rip City tries to regain its stride.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs Utah Jazz
Pick: Jazz in 7 games
Explanation:
Russell Westbrook averaged a triple double for a second consecutive season, a feat that has never been done in history until Wednesday night. However, nobody seems to care this time around. People are finally realizing that stats don't mean wins in this league. Although OKC was a more talented team this season, it still struggled to clinch the playoffs until Game 81. The big three of Westbrook, Paul George, and Carmelo Anthony isn't working out as good as people predicted, and their flaws will be on full display during what should be an entertaining series. Donovan Mitchell and the Utah Jazz will continue surprising everyone by taking down one of the most talented teams in the NBA in the first round.
Semi-Finals
Houston Rockets vs Utah Jazz
Pick: Rockets in 6 games
Explanation:
While the Jazz have played exemplary defense this season, the Rockets have improved heavily on that end as well. Their improved defense plus the addition of Chris Paul makes this team a powerhouse that has virtually no weaknesses. While the Jazz will make this competitive with great defense, the pretty good defense of Houston will help the Rockets squeak by this series in six games.
Golden State Warriors vs Portland Trail Blazers
Pick: Warriors in 5 games
Explanation:
This pick is assuming that Steph Curry will return for the majority of this series. If he does, then this should be a breeze for what would then be a fully healthy Golden State squad. Damien Lillard and CJ McCollum might be a great backcourt for scoring, but they will not be able to keep up with the Splash Brothers in a seven game series. The series might be more interesting if Curry remains injured, but the Warriors should still secure the win.
Conference Finals
Houston Rockets vs Golden State Warriors
Pick: Warriors in 7 games
Explanation:
The Rockets might be the better team overall, but their history will end up catching them here. Mike D'Antoni, James Harden, and Chris Paul simply have not been able to perform in the clutch when it matters most. Plus, they are going against the reigning champions in the Warriors. While the Rockets have certainly made progress, their previous history in the playoffs will definitely come back to bite them when their season is on the line.
Eastern Conference
Round 1
Toronto Raptors vs Washington Wizards
Pick: Raptors in 6 games
Explanation:
As the season winded down, the Raptors came back down to Earth. Meanwhile, the Wizards finished the season strong with a win. That being said, the Raptors are a much better team on paper and on the floor. The return of John Wall to the Wizards' rotation has messed up the system Scott Brooks created, and his selfish style of play greatly hinders this team. While the Raptors will play as well on the road, they should still clinch this series win in the end.
Boston Celtics vs Milwaukee Bucks
Pick: Bucks in 7 games
Explanation:
The only reason Milwaukee has a chance in this series is because of the recent injury to Kyrie Irving. With him out for the remainder of the postseason, the Celtics will have zero superstars on the court, meaning rookies and role players will have extended roles. While the C's bench has been solid this season, they are just too injured to keep up with the Bucks' level of talent. Giannis Antetokounmpo will dominate the paint for the entire series, and he will ultimately be able to lead his team to the second round.
Philadelphia 76ers vs Miami Heat
Pick: 76ers in 6 games
Explanation:
The process is almost complete. Philly sports a nice young roster that looks ready to contend far earlier than anyone could have predicted. Ben Simmons is the next LeBron, and Joel Embiid is a dominant big man in today's NBA. Together, these two superstars headline a balanced roster that will be able to methodically pick apart the aging Miami Heat. While Miami has been hot as of late, they simply will not be able to keep up with their far younger adversary.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Indiana Pacers
Pick: Cavaliers in 5 games
Explanation:
I don't understand why people are betting against the greatest player on the planet. LeBron James will easily cruise by this series, and it won't be close. Sure, the Pacers could pick up one at some point, but experience will outlast inexperience in this case. On a side note, while the Pacers will lose swiftly, I think Victor Oladipo will have some of the best performances of his career on the big stage, causing free agents to consider Indiana as a possible destination this offseason.
Semi-Finals
Toronto Raptors vs Cleveland Cavaliers
Pick: Cavaliers in 6 games
Explanation:
Like the Rockets in the west, the Raptors have a bad history in the playoffs. Not only that, but LeBron will be in full on playoff mode at this point, and that alone should push the Cavs over Toronto. While the season was certainly one of improvement for the Canadian franchise, the Raptors will still experience early playoff exits as long as LeBron reigns in the east.
Philadelphia 76ers vs Milwaukee Bucks
Pick: 76ers in 4 games
Explanation:
Even though the Bucks will take care of the injured two seed, I feel like Philly is going to manhandle this team in sweeping fashion. If game 82 was any indication of what's to come, then Milwaukee is in for an embarrassing series. Even though the Bucks might have more talent on roster, their coaching has prevented them from reaching their full potential all year. Some key players have even regressed in key parts of their development. The Process is moving on to face Cleveland a lot sooner than people thought was possible.
Conference Finals
Philadelphia 76ers vs Cleveland Cavaliers
Pick: Cavaliers in 7 games
Explanation:
This will be the most entertaining series of the entire playoffs. LeBron and a Cavs team that was completely retooled at the trade deadline against the next LeBron in Ben Simmons and the result of the Process. Unfortunately, I think experience will again outlast inexperience here. While the Sixers are very well rounded, the Cavs top heaviness will be able to pull some new tricks out of the bag in order to won the east. As a fan of the NBA, I am really hoping that I get to see this series, as it will be a classic for years to come.
NBA Finals
Golden State Warriors vs Cleveland Cavaliers
Pick: Warriors in 5 games
Explanation:
...and I have another boring Warriors Cavs matchup in the finals this year. Even worse, the Warriors are so much better than the Cavs that they should easily get past them. LeBron can't win games virtually on his own, and this embarrassing series would prove that. This loss would be enough for LeBron to leave Cleveland in free agency this offseason and take his talents somewhere else. As he's getting older and still wants to win over everything, it only makes sense to stay in the East and complete the process in Philly. Not only could he personally see to it that Ben Simmons is his successor, but his presence would overload an already talented roster into a powerhouse in the NBA for years to come. Oh yeah, and the Sixers still have a lottery pick from the Lakers this year.
Those are my predictions for this year's NBA playoffs. The 76ers become the next dynasty, the Warriors complete their current dynasty with another title, and the Cavaliers go back to being irrelevant and inept. I think the Celtics will be back at the top of the east next season when everyone is healthy, and the Spurs could return for one last shot at a championship if Kawhi can play close to a full season and playoffs. Until then though, it's time to enjoy the 2018 NBA Playoffs!