NBA Perfect Ten Playoff Edition (April 24)
The NBA Playoffs continue and the first round is taking shape with some teams moving on and other series nearly over. Let’s take a look at how things might finish out.
Eastern Conference First Round
#8 Miami vs. #1 Milwaukee: Giannis’ back injury has undoubtedly changed the landscape of this series. Miami now leads the series two games to one with game four back at home on tonight. Besides the injury, the most concerning thing for the Bucks has been the team’s defense. Milwaukee has allowed the Heat to score 124 points per game thus far, even with the absence of Tyler Hero. I think the Bucks will prevail but it won’t be easy.
Prediction: Bucks in Five (Amended Prediction: Bucks in Seven)
Conference/NBA Title Odds: Milwaukee (+195, +360)
#7 Atlanta vs. #2 Boston: While the Celtics have to be disappointed with their defense in Atlanta, they are in a position to close out the series in Boston with a 3-1 edge heading into Tuesday night. Boston can begin to focus on the 76ers in the quarterfinals likely beginning at the end of this week.
Prediction: Boston in five.
Conference/NBA Title Odds: Boston (+115, +140)
#6 Brooklyn vs. #3 Philadelphia: Philadelphia cruised to a four-game sweep over the Nets thanks to quality perimeter shooting and the Nets’ inability to knock down shots from long range. Embiid missed game four after being banged up in game three and his oft-injured history remains the most concerning aspect of the Sixers’ playoff chase.
Prediction: Philadelphia in five. (Sixers win the series in a sweep, 4-0)
Conference/NBA Title Odds: Philadelphia (+425, +900)
#5 New York vs. #4 Cleveland: The Knicks' depth has proven to be a problem for the Cavs thus far as has their ability to defend Mitchell. New York swept both games at home after stealing game one in Cleveland and is now just a game away from moving on. The Cavs will bounce back in game five but the Knicks are primed to roll into the quarterfinals with a win back home on Thursday night.
Prediction: New York in six.
Conference/NBA Title Odds: New York (+1300, +4000)
Western Conference First Round
#8 Minnesota vs. #1 Denver: The Nuggets lost out on a chance to sweep the series with a loss on Sunday night but the talent disparity is clear in this series. The Nuggets defense has played as well as they have all season and the Timberwolves don’t have enough offense to match up with the Nuggets. Game five in Denver will put this series away and the Nuggets can begin to prepare for the inevitable showdown with Phoenix.
Prediction: Nuggets in five.
Conference/NBA Title Odds: Denver (+320, +850)
#7 LA Lakers vs. #2 Memphis: Tonight’s matchup will be critical to the outcome of this series. LA has exposed the Grizzlies’ lack of size in the paint but Morant also showed in game three that the Lakers don’t have anyone that can slow him down on the perimeter. In the end, I still like the Lakers to advance in six games against a banged-up Grizzlies team.
Prediction: Lakers in six.
Conference/NBA Title Odds: LA Lakers (+450, +1100)
#6 Golden State vs. #3 Sacramento: The Kings were a missed jump shot away from taking a stranglehold on this series with a win on Sunday. Instead, the series is now tied at two games apiece and I get the feeling that the Kings blew their chance to slay the dragon. I look for Golden State to steal game five and put away the upstart Kings in six games with a win at home on Thursday night.
Prediction: Golden State in six.
Conference/NBA Title Odds: Golden State (+400, +1100)
#5 LA Clippers vs. #4 Phoenix: Kawhi Leonard bowed out of this series with a knee injury and the Clippers are about to bow out of the series tonight in Phoenix. Chris Paul looks fresher than he has in either of the last two years in the playoffs after missing a number of games this season. Get ready for the Joker vs. the Slim Reaper in a classic Western Conference quarterfinal.
Prediction: Phoenix in six. (Ammeded Prediction: Suns up 3-1 to Suns in five)
Conference/NBA Title Odds: Phoenix (+155, +400)
In parenthesis, conference odds and finals odds. All odds Courtesy of Draftkings.com.
By Mark Ruelle