Western Conference Round 1
Rockets vs Timberwolves - Prediction: Rockets win the series 4-1
The Timberwolves might have one of the best starting 5's of any 8th seed in NBA history and will surely be a force in the West over the next few years if they can keep the core together and improve a few their bench and draft well. Maybe sign a big free agent. This year however, the Rockets are too good and have too much fire power. Most of the games should be close, watchable games. And if the Rockets don't shoot the 3 well, the T-Wolves could steal a game or 2.
Thunder vs Jazz - Prediction: Thunder win the series 4-2
The surprise team in the NBA this year to me was the Utah Jazz. After Gordon Hayward left for Boston I completely wrote them off to even make the playoffs. But wow, if it weren't for Ben Simmons, Utah would have the sure fire Rookie of the Year in Donovan Mitchell. This kid can straight BALL. The Jazz play excellent defense and play the definition of team basketball. They have some great pieces to grow their franchise with. However, they lack the star power that wins in the NBA playoffs. The Thunder have 3 Hall of Fame players and Steven Adams is probably more valuable than Carmelo. I'm not too high on the Thunder personally but they win this series and advance.
Blazers vs Pelicans - Prediction Pelicans win the series 4-3
The Blazers finished the regular season extremely hot! Dame Lillard proved that he deserves to be an All-Star every year. They have one of the best shooting back courts in the NBA. They also have one of the worst defensive back courts. I believe the Pelicans have a couple key advantages in this series. #1 is Anthony Davis. He is the best player on the court and the Blazers will not be able to stop him and he will help limit the Blazers in the paint on the defensive end. #2 Rajon Rondo. He seems to have found a good home in New Orleans and his team mates actually like him! He's the kind of defensive player that no point guard wants to go against. He's tenacious and has plenty of experience. He will certainly limit Lillard and cause all sorts of problems for the Blazers guards. #3 I believe Jrue Holiday is maybe the most under rated guard in the NBA right now. He has let Rondo handle the ball more and has taken on more of a scoring roll in the offense. This has allowed Rondo to run the offense and do what he does best, pass the ball. It also has made defenses have to worry about someone other than Anthony Davis. I think this will be a close series but I'll take the Pelicans.
Warriors vs Spurs - Prediction: Warriors win 4-1
If Steph Curry was playing, this series would be an easy sweep for Golden State. There are a lot people out there that are talking about how the Warriors aren't the same team this year and that they could lose to multiple teams this year, including the Spurs. Well, I'm here to tell you it's not true and its not happening. The Warriors have been bored out of their minds this regular season. Now that the playoffs are here, they will turn it up a few notches. They are too good, even without Steph, to lose to anyone other than maybe the Rockets 4 times. The Spurs might win a game at home but Warriors win this series easily.
Eastern Conference Round 1
Raptors vs Wizards - Prediction: Raptors win the series 4-1
These two teams are very similar. Both have two very good guard combos in Derozen-Lowry and Wall-Beal. They both have similar Centers and forwards. I give the Raptors a slight edge in the starting 5. The biggest edge they have is in their bench which is significantly better than Washington. Unless John Wall plays like the best player on the court, which he is capable of doing, the Wizards could go quickly. Wall has flashes of brilliance but ultimately has not been able to win a big series in the playoffs in past seasons. Even though I don't love the Raptors chances this year, I trust them to beat the Wizards here.
Cavs vs Pacers - Prediction: Cavs win the series 4-2
This Cavs team has been a mess all season long and have been historically bad on defense. The Pacers on the other hand had a pretty decent season. Victor Oladipo has had a great season after leaving the ball dominant Westbrook. Do the Pacers have a chance to win this series? I don't believe so but when the Cavs play bad, they play REALLY bad so I think the Pacers can win a game or 2. I've been watching basketball for a long time. One thing I'm confident about when it comes to playoff basketball is that Lebron James isn't losing in the first round.
Sixers vs Heat - Prediction: Sixers win the series 4-2
People are very high on the Sixers right now. They are fun and exciting and full of young talent, including Ben Simmons, who I believe is a game changer in this league. The big question mark is how many games Joel Embiid will be able to play. If he was playing each game, I think the Sixers would sweep this series 4-0. If he doesn't play any games, I think the Sixers will win 4-3. I'm speculating that he will play about half the series so I'm prediction Sixers win 4-2.
Celtics vs Bucks - Prediction: Celtics win the series 4-3
This prediction may surprise some people but I believe the Bucks have a legitimate chance to win this series. The Celtics will have to play very well to beat them 4 times. The Bucks have the best player in the series in "The Greek Freak" and the Celtics season has been riddled with injury which will cost them a shot at a title run this season. The Celtics are still a very deep team and have home court advantage and an excellent coach. This will probably be the most exciting series to watch in the first round. I'll take the Celtics to edge it out in a game 7 at home.
Western conference round 2
Rockets vs Thunder - Prediction: Rockets win the series 4-3
This prediction will definitely surprise a lot of people. Again, I think the underdog has a legitimate chance to win this series. The Rockets have set all kinds of records this season for 3 point shooting. They are a run and gun offense and they score the ball at a ridiculous rate. There are a few key factors favoring OKC though. Chris Paul has had some series playoff woes in his career and I believe other than Steph Curry, Westbrook is the worst matchup for him in the NBA. Westbrook is taller, faster, stronger and very aggressive. A mismatch on both ends for Paul. Harden has had some playoff struggles of his own and has historically had his WORST games while being guarded by OKC's Paul George. This series feels like its going to be a great one, certainly the best of the 2nd round. It's going to come down to Westbrook's decision making, Carmelo and George being able to hit some big shots and whether or not the Rockets can continue to shoot 3's at an exceptional rate. If the Rockets have a couple poor shooting games, they could be facing an upset, but I'll still take them to win a huge game 7 at home.
Warriors vs Pelicans - Prediction: Warriors win the series 4-1
Not a whole lot to say about this series. The Warriors just have way more talent and the Pelicans don't have any 3 point shooters. The Warriors own the Pelicans historically. Anthony Davis will not be nearly as dominant in this series against Golden States bigs. Klay can guard Holiday, Draymond can guard anyone, NOBODY can guard Durant. If Curry is able to play, the Warriors WILL sweep. If he misses a few games, which I think he will, the Pelicans might be able to win 1 game at home.
Eastern Conference Second Round
Cavs vs Raptors - Prediction: Cavs win the series 4-2
Lets face the facts. The Cavs and Lebron OWN the baby dinosaurs. Every big game they play, Lebron dominates. They have nobody who can slow him down. The Cavs are much worse than in previous years and the Raptors are an improved team. That's why I think the Raptors will win 2 games instead of being swept. If it goes as far as a game 7, I would anticipate Lebrons best game of these playoffs. Something like 45points, 15 rebounds, 10 assists. (might be worth some prop bets). Cavs win this series and advance but it will be closer than in years past.
Sixers vs Celtics - Prediction: Sixers win the series 4-2
I love watching this Sixers team! They are for real! Ben Simmons is fantastic and will only continue to get better over the next decade. Joel Embiid should play a full series. When you also considering the presence of Saric and Covington, along with Embiid and Simmons, this team has the most length in the NBA. They play great defense, they get the crowd involved, they move the ball and they have numerous high percentage 3 point shooters. Although I like the Celtics young talent, deep roster and head coach, I believe this Sixers team will prevail and advance!
Western Conference Finals!
Warriors vs Rockets - Prediction: Warriors win the series 4-2
This will be one hell of a series! The biggest factor is going to be Stephen Curry. I am anticipating that he will be at full strength for this series and be able to play in all 7 games. If he is unable to play in this series due to any setbacks, I would like the Rockets chances to win the series. Like I said previously, Steph Curry is the worst matchup for Chris Paul. Not many teams have a single guy who can guard Harden but the Warriors have 3 guys that can take turns in Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Kevin Durant. Make no mistake, this Rockets team is for real and genuine threat to the title. I Think this series will be extremely high energy and very chippy. There will be at least 5 of the best players in the world on the court at he same time and they are all very fiery competitors with big egos. What more could you ask for in an NBA playoff series? To, this IS the NBA Finals. Whoever wins will be crowned the 2018 NBA Champions. I'll take Golden State.
Eastern Conference Finals!
Sixers vs Cavs - Prediction: Cavs win the series 4-3
The 76ers are back in the Eastern Conference Finals! WOW! This series is going to be another great one! The best player on the planet, in my honest opinion, takes on the rising stars of the NBA. This 76ers team has the fire power and the talent to win this series. They do all the right things and they play the right way. The will certainly give King James a run for his Throne of the Eastern Conference. Other than having Lebron James, the Cavs also have experience of being here before. For several of these 76ers players, they will be playing their first game ever in the playoffs. Lebron has WON the Eastern Conference Title every year for the last SEVEN years. This Sixers team is a force, but I don't think this is the year that Lebron is dethroned. Once again, this series may boil down to a game 7, and once again, I will take the team with the best player in the NBA.
2018 NBA Finals
Warriors vs Cavs - Prediction: Warriors win the series 4-0
For a 4th straight season, I believe the NBA Finals will be a showdown (more like a beatdown) between the Warriors and Cavs. After such a great season of playoffs with several exceptional series, the Finals will be very anticlimactic. The Cavs are simply a shadow of their team in seasons past and assuming Curry is able to play, the Warriors are as good as they've ever been. The Cavs were a much better team last year and barely avoided being swept, winning one game and spoiling the Warriors historic quest of attempting to go 16-0 in the playoffs. This year will be short, sweet and full of lots of points and fun...if you're a Warriors fan. Their Dynasty continues as they will be the first team to win back to back titles since Lebrons Miami Heat team and they will have won their 3rd title in 4 years with no signs of slowing down! How long will this Warriors team reign? Likely for a few more years and titles, but I have 1 last prediction for the 2019 season.
Prediction: Lebron James shocks everyone this off season by deciding to sign with... The Philadelphia 76ers! Ben Simmons is the perfect player for him to join forces with at this stage in his career. The Sixers will breeze through the East and face off with Golden State in the finals once again!