NBA 2018 PLAYOFFS

FIRST ROUND PREDICTIONS

EASTERN CONFERENCE

TORONTO RAPTORS VERSUS WASHINGTON WIZARDS

I miss the old Washington Bullets name. Since Harry Potter is popular, Wizards make sense. Who do you think could win in a fight: Harry Potter or Orko from HE-MAN?

Loved the Raptors new logo over their old one with the barney looking dinosaur.

            

The old Bullets logo can be used as a Chicago team.

Let’s get serious. This series will go all the way to game 7. I do like John Wall being back for the Wizards. I know the Raptors have been playing poorly of late. However, I think the Raptors take this series with the deeper bench.

RAPTORS IN 7 (4-3)

CLEVELAND CAVALIERS VERSUS INDIANA PACERS

I would love to see the Pacers upset the King Lebron. I see the Pacers able to get a few games in this series. However, Lebron has a switch and he will be on fire. The coach is back and that will add to the Cavaliers taking this one in six games.

We will have to wait at least another round to figure out where Lebron James will play next season.

CAVALIERS IN SIX GAMES (4-2)

PHILADELPHIA 76ERS VERSUS MIAMI HEAT

This series I will call the Alamo. This I believe will be Dwayne Wade’s final stand. Wade will help his team take two games. The Sixers are too young, too talented, and that will leave the Miami Heat in the dust.

76ERS IN SIX GAMES (4-2)

BOSTON CELTICS VERSUS MILWAUKEE BUCKS

Without Kyrie Irving, the Celtics will still hold off the Bucks. Brad Stevens will out coach the Bucks and come up with a great plan to advance to the next round. Bucks are young and upcoming. They have arrived. They will be back again and get better at the same time.

CELTICS IN SIX GAMES (4-2)

WESTERN CONFERENCE

HOUSTON ROCKETS VERSUS MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES

Happy to see the Timberwolves make it to the playoffs. They snapped a drought. I think injuries that occurred this year prevented the Timberwolves from getting a much higher seed. It took a last win in the last game to squeeze in there and now face the top dog, the Houston Rockets. James Harden as MVP, is all I have to say in this series. It would take Jimmy Butler to play like Michael Jordan in each game of this series to give the Timber wolves a slim chance.

Maybe Derrick Rose will be the X-FACTOR

ROCKETS IN THE SWEEP (4-0)

SAN ANTONIO SPURS VERSUS GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS

It was not that long ago this would be the game of the day. The Spurs are not the Spurs like they use to be. Even without Stephen Curry not playing in this series, Warriors just still have too many weapons for one of the best coaches in NBA history to overcome.

WARRIORS IN 5 GAMES (4-1)

PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS VERSUS NEW ORLEANS PELICANS

This will be one of best series in the first round. Maybe the Trailblazers hire Bobby Portis to give Nikola Mirotic another punch to the face.

I think Anthony Davis becomes too hard to handle for the Blazers. However, this goes to seven games.

PELICANS IN 7 GAMES (4-3)

OKLAHOMA THUNDER VERSUS UTAH JAZZ

The Jazz making the playoffs is a very nice story this year especially after losing Heyward to the Celtics. The Thunder have 3 future hall of famers in Westbrook, Paul, and George. Finally they come together and play better than they did in regular season. They hit the playoff switch and easily dispatch the Jazz.

THUNDER IN 5 GAMES (4-1)