Get ready folks, the playoffs are right on the horizon! Now that the Eastern conference first round matchups have been officially locked in, let’s take a look at the action to come and make some predictions.
(1) Bucks vs. (8) Magic
I can’t imagine too many fans are eager to tune in to this series; Orlando is outmatched in basically every way, as they face the juggernaut that is the Milwaukee Bucks. While the Magic are a scrappy veteran team that will play hard and play smart, they simply don’t have the weapons needed to make this one competitive—especially after losing Jonathan Isaac.
Prediction: Bucks in 4
Player to watch for each team:
Bucks: Eric Bledsoe
His struggles in last year’s playoffs were well documented. This series is a good opportunity for him to gain some early confidence against a mismatched opponent that’s down its best perimeter defender.
Magic: Aaron Gordon
It’s been a disappointing season for Air Gordon, who’s finishing up the 2nd year of his 80 million dollar extension. The Bucks have length and athleticism everywhere; Gordon may be the member of the magic who can best attack that formidable defensive front with his plus speed and explosiveness. A strong showing in this likely brief series would be some nice momentum for him to carry into the summer.
(2) Raptors vs. (7) Nets
The feistiest, best-coached team in the league meets the worst team in the playoffs. There’s not much to discuss here, this series should be over fast. Does Toronto finally break their game 1 curse?
Prediction: Raptors in 4
Player to watch for each team:
Raptors: Fred VanVleet
We’re approaching a barren free agent market and the man is playing for the bag. Need I say more?
Nets: Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot
The former first round pick has yet to settle in anywhere in the league thus far in his career, but he’s been one of Brooklyn’s only sources of offense in the bubble. If he can be an effective shot creator against the ferocious Raps defense in the playoffs, maybe he can become part of the Nets’ future plans.
(3) Celtics vs. (6) Sixers
The matchup everyone wanted to see is here, unfortunately without Ben Simmons. The Sixers have been lauded as the matchup from hell for the Celtics, as they have an abundance of size and strength inside, compared to the wing-dominant lineups the Celtics roll out. However, the loss of Simmons is a big one for Philly, who now has a real shortage of shot creation. It also creates problems in their backcourt, as they’ll now likely be forced to have Tobias Harris run the offense late, or have a guy like Shake Milton closing games, something I feel is a touch above his pay grade. Tatum has tightened things back up in the bubble after his horrid start, and should be firing on all cylinders now that the Sixers are down their best defender. At the end of the day for Philly, it really comes down to Embiid–the Celtics have no one who can guard him for long stretches. But I just don’t trust him in big games, and have seen him lack aggression, take too many three’s, and look out of shape in too many playoff games, and after missing most of the past two games with ankle and wrist issues, he’s not coming into the playoffs with much momentum. Until he gives me reason to swallow my words, I’m sticking by them.
Prediction: Celtics in 6
Player to watch for each team:
Celtics: Kemba Walker
With Simmons out, the Sixers backcourt becomes shallow, fast. Can he take advantage of Simmons’ absence and be the reliable 2nd option offensively beside Tatum?
Sixers: Tobias Harris
The much-marginalized 3rd wheel will now be thrust into a lead creator role. Without Simmons, Harris becomes Philly’s primary source of offense off the dribble, as well as one of their only distributors—whether that’s a natural position for him or not. I am of the camp that Harris is overrated and overpaid, and is not cut out to be a key piece of a championship contender at his price tag. This is his chance to prove that line of thinking wrong. A big-time showing for him here could really be a watershed moment in his career.
(4) Heat vs. (5) Pacers
Oh baby. This series promises to be an absolute rock fight between two tough, physical, well-coached teams that do not like each other. With Victor Oladipo still working his way back from his quad injury, TJ Warren has shape-shifted and become the hottest player in the bubble. Staring him down from across the court is his nemesis, Jimmy Buckets. However, the losses of Domantas Sabonis and Jeremy Lamb are tough to look past for Indiana, who now has a serious lack of offensive production, and lacks the bodies to throw at all of Miami’s outside shooting, which should free up Adebayo for a dominant showing. I also just rarely bet against Jimmy Butler in big moments, especially when he’s not going up against a legitimate superstar.
Prediction: Heat in 6
Player to watch for each team:
TJ Warren and Jimmy Butler
C’mon.