2020 Playoffs Predictions & Picks!
With all the seeding game done, the NBA Playoffs are right around the corner. Today I’m going to go over each playoff matchup and giving my picks.
With all the seeding game done, the NBA Playoffs are right around the corner. Today I’m going to go over each playoff matchup and giving my picks.
Eastern Conference
#1 Milwaukee Bucks vs #8 Orlando Magic
The Bucks did not take the seeding game seriously. After getting the #1 seed in the East, the Bucks prepared rest over preparation. But going into the playoffs they will be at full strength. With the MVP in Giannis Antetokounmpo along with Eric Bledsoe, Khris Middleton, Brook Lopez and their shooters, the Bucks look to make quick work of the Magic. The Magic started off the bubble 2-0 but fell off of a cliff after and fell to the 8th seed in the East. While their roster isn’t bad, they have no chance against the Bucks. This series should be a sweep, and if any games are somewhat close, the Bucks should be disappointed.
Prediction: 4-0 Milwaukee Bucks
#2 Toronto Raptors vs #7 Brooklyn Nets
The Raptors look to start another deep playoff run as they face the Nets. The Raptors also emphasized rest over preparation as they rested their best players and even their coach Nick Nurse. But the Raptors looked very good. Their defense was especially good in a bubble that has lacked it. With Pascal Siakam, Kyle Lowry, VanVleet and the other great role players, the Raptors are a very good and deep team. But don’t discredit this Nets team. Without their best players, the Nets have still been very good. With Caris Levert, TLC, Joe Harris, Jarrett Allen and others, the Nets were very good in the bubble. I think that the Raptors will win this series, but the Nets won’t go down without a fight.
Prediction: 4-1 Toronto Raptors
#3 Boston Celtics vs #6 Philadelphia 76ers
The Celtics started to look very scary as they progressed through the bubble. Kemba Walker is healthy again and along with Tatum, Brown, Hayward and Marcus Smart, the Celtics are a very scary team. And with a 76ers team without Ben Simmons, Jayson Tatum and Gordon Hayward will have their way on the win. The 76ers are short-handed without Ben Simmons and an injury-hindered Joel Embiid. The 76ers can remain competitive if Embiid takes advantage down low and he imposes his dominance. But if he is quiet, then this series will be over quick. I think that the Celtics big 4 is way too much for the short-handed 76ers and I have the Celtics winning this series. The only way the 76ers can stay competitive in this series is if Joel Embiid becomes Shaq like and dominates down low.
Prediction: 4-1 Boston Celtics
#4 Indiana Pacers vs #5 Miami Heat
The Heat and Pacers have been two of the most surprising teams this season along with the teams with the biggest rivalry. Mainly the TJ Warren vs Jimmy Butler short feud. In January Warren and Butler went at it, but that beef seems to have died down. The Pacers have the ‘home-court’ advantage in this series.They have bubble TJ Warren (aka god), Victor Oladipo and Malcolm Brogdon. But with the availability of All-Star Domantas Sabonis still in the air, the Pacers won’t have a strong inside presence. The Heat are a very deep team and scrappy team. They have great shooters, defenders and they are led by Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo, both All-Stars. I think that this Heat team is very underrated and has a shot to do great things in the future. I’m giving the edge to the Heat in this series, but this one will likely be the best first round series in the East.
Prediction 4-2 Miami Heat
Western Conference
#1 LA Lakers vs #8 Portland/Memphis
The Lakers are the only team that don’t know who they are playing in the 1st round. They will only have a few days to prepare for either team. So I’m just going to give my picks for either matchup.
LA Lakers vs Portland Trail Blazers
This is the team the Lakers don’t want to play. Not only is Portland very hot right now, the Blazers can expose the Lakers’ weaknesses. The Lakers without Avery Bradley don’t have much perimeter defense. So Dame, CJ, Melo, and Gary Trent Jr. will be getting open shots from the perimeter. And especially with the way Dame Lillard has been playing in the last 3 seeding games, the Lakers don’t want to mess with Dame Dolla. The only upside for LA to playing Portland is Lebron James and their defense against him. Or lack thereof. Without Trevor Ariza, nobody can guard Lebron James. SO James will be big in this series and will the reason for the Blazers down fall. But the Blazers will make this series much more competitive than the normal #1 vs #8 matchup. But with a poor defense, the Lakers should win this series.
Prediction: 4-3 LA Lakers
LA Lakers vs Memphis Grizzlies
This is the team the Lakers want to face. While the Grizzlies are better defensively, they are very young. They don’t have anybody that can stop Lebron James and Anthony Davis. And this being Ja Morant’s 1st ever playoff series if they make it, he will likely struggle against a veteran Lakers defense. I think that the Lakers will handle this Grizzlies team much easier than if they faced the Blazers, and they should very easily win if this is their first round matchup.
Prediction: 4-0 LA Lakers
#2 LA Clippers vs #7 Dallas Mavericks
The Clippers are fully healthy entering the playoffs with George, Leonard, Harrell, and Williams all expected to suit up for the series. The Clippers didn’t think about the seeding games much as they focused on getting healthy. And now the deepest and best team in basketball faces a young, upstart Mavs team. This Mavs team is similar to the Blazers, all offense no defense. Luka Doncic is leading one of the greatest offenses ever and with the Unicorn in Kristaps Porzingis the Mavs are very tough to guard. But Luka Doncic has struggled against the Clippers this year and with this being his playoff debut, he will likely struggle again. The Clippers will have to contain Kristaps Porzingis, but on the offensive end nobody can stop all of their weapons. This series will likely be short, but don’t expect blowouts.
Prediction: LA Clippers 4-1
#2 Denver Nuggets vs #6 Utah Jazz
The Nuggets were also resting up for the playoffs, and now they are a very dangerous team heading into the playoffs. With Jokic and Murray at the helm, the Nuggets are explosive. But now they have a blossoming star in Michael Porter Jr. The rookie has shined in the bubble and looks to continue against a depleted Utah Jazz team. But the Nuggets may be short-handed with the condition of Gary Harris and Will Barton still unknown. The Jazz have struggled in the bubble without Bojan Bogdanovic. The Jazz’s shooting has greatly decreased and they have less floor spacing. The Jazz still have some guys who can score, and they have interior defense with Rudy Gobert. But without a sharp-shooter, they become easier to guard. I think the Nuggets should win this series pretty easily.
Prediction: 4-1 Denver Nuggets
#4 Houston Rockets vs #5 OKC Thunder
The Rockets and their high-powered small ball lineup looked to make some noise in the playoffs. But now with Russell Westbrook expected to miss a few games with injury, their deep playoff run is in jeopardy. Now we don’t know how long Westbrook will be out, but it might 2-3 games. So the Thunder will be able to defend the Rockets much better with them focusing on Harden more. The Thunder are at full strength with Chris Paul, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Dennis Schroder being lethal scorers from all areas of the floor. Along with Gallinari and Adams, the Thunder are a very good team. And without Russell Westbrook it is very possible that they pull off the upset. And i have them doing just that.
Prediction: 4-2 OKC Thunder
Leave A Comment Down Below With All Of Your 1st Round Playoff Predictions.
Stay-Tuned For My Play-In Game Coverage In The Next Few Days!
Follow My Instagram To Never Miss A Post! @hoopnotions
