
Heat vs. Hawks
4-1 Heat Win
Even though last year the Hawks went on a run that no one expected them to go on making it to the Eastern Conference Finals, I believe that they will have a first round exit this year at the hands of the Miami Heat. The Hawks reliance on Trae Young is their downfall in this matchup because even though I think he can get them one win; I do not think he can beat the superstar power and experience that the Heat has. The Miami Heat are always a well-coached team and have had good chemistry the last few years. They are going to be tough opponent for anybody in the east.
Celtics vs. Nets
4-3 Celtics Win
This matchup really comes down to whether the Celtics #1 ranked defense can keep Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant from scoring. If the Celtics are going to win this series, they are going to have to keep at least one of these two players from scoring every night. The one thing that the Celtics have going in their favor is that even though they are the higher ranked team, the pressure is on the Nets because of the superstars they have on their roster. I think at the end of the day the Celtics are a better team and their great defense will ultimately wear out KD and Kyrie making it hard for the Nets to win games later in the series.
Bucks Vs Bulls
4-1 Bucks Win
With the Bucks being the defending champions and Giannis coming off another MVP caliber season it is going to be hard for any team in the east to beat them. Even though the Bulls had a great start to the season, they fell apart late in the season and are going into the playoffs on a downhill trajectory. Therefore I am only going to give them one win as I think that Giannis and the rest of the Bucks players are just going to run right through them.
Raptors vs. 76ers
4-3 Raptors
For me this series comes down to whether or not the 76ers can rise to the pressure they have created for themselves. With James Harden essentially forcing his way out of the Nets and Joel Embiid being very focal about he deserves the MVP, the 76ers have essentially pushed themselves into a corner. On paper I believe that the 76ers are the better team however with the drama and controversy surrounding their two superstar players, it will be very hard for them to overcome the pressure they have put on themselves.
Suns vs. Pelicans
4-1 Suns win
The Pelicans really do not stand a chance in this series, especially without Zion. After losing to the Bucks last year in the Finals, the Suns seem to be on a nonstop rampage with only one goal: to win this year’s finals. With a great veteran leader in Chris Paul and an incredible young superstar in Devin Booker, the Suns should not only be the favorites to win the matchup, but probably the favorites to win the whole thing.
Grizzles vs. Timberwolves
4-2 Grizzles win
The Grizzles rose to the scene this year with the emergence of their new superstar Ja Morant, however they also showed that they are a team with great depth as they went 19-2 without their best player. Even though they are young, they play great basketball and do not rely too heavily on anyone, making their team versatile and dangerous for anybody in the West.
Warriors vs. Nuggets
4-0 Warriors win
The Warriors are a championship caliber team that has the experience advantage on the Nuggets. They have been together for a long time and have the better coaching staff making it really hard to see any way the Nuggets can win. The Nuggets are also a team that was hit by the injury bug so without Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. the Nuggets do not stand a chance.
Mavs vs. Jazz
4-2 Mavs win
This might be the most controversial pick I am taking because the Mavericks have lost their best player for part if not all of the series with the recent injury to Luka Dončić. However, I feel that the Utah Jazz are having some internal conflicts with their stars players Rudy Gobert and Donavan Mitchell that will ultimately cause the team to lose. This series will come down to whether or not the Jazz can play together as a team.
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