For the first time in a long time the Eastern Conference appears to be the more interesting conference. Albeit may be top heavy with the “big 4” of Milwaukee, Toronto, Boston, and Philadelphia, the matchups possible in the Eastern Conference are all entertaining and unpredictable. If you told me any of those four will make it to the NBA Finals, I could be talked into agreeing as opposed to the Western Conference where it appears nobody is a real threat to the Golden State Warriors. So let’s breakdown these Eastern conference matchups.
(1)Milwaukee vs (8)Detroit
Talk about an absolute mismatch of a series. The Milwaukee Bucks, who have been the best team in either conference all season long, are going to dismantle the Blake Griffen led Detroit Pistons. The Bucks finished the season as the top rated defensive team (104.9) and the third best offensive team (113.5), for a league best net rating of 8.6 while the 8th seed Pistons finished with a -0.4 net rating which ranked 16th. The Bucks will treat this as a warm-up series and for a team who has not had playoff success, it is the perfect soft landing series for players like Giannis and Khris Middleton who can get the monkey off their back and secure their first playoff series win of their careers.
The Pistons have had a nice season, and to some a surprise to even make the playoffs. Head coach Dwayne Casey will have his guys prepared, and Blake Griffen has been here before, but the talent and skill of Milwaukee is just too much to overcome. I have the Bucks sweeping the series and in pretty convincing fashion. Probably three blowouts with the Pistons making one game close at home, most likely game 3.
Prediction: Bucks win series 4-0
(4) Boston vs (5) Indiana
On paper, the Boston-Indiana series is the closest matchup of the first round. The two teams were separated by just one game in the standings and both faced their own adversity throughout the season. The Celtics have struggled all season long to find an identity and team chemistry which they thrived on to game 7 of the conference finals a year ago. The reintegration of Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward into the rotation was rough and still has not been fully resolved. But it is the playoffs and something tells me Brad Stevens will get these guys on the same page and cut the rotations size as winning cures all.
The Celtics adversity pales in comparison to the Pacers adversity of losing their franchise player Victor Oladipo to a season ending injury. The Pacers have managed to stay afloat despite losing their best player and Nate McMillan deserves Coach of the Year consideration for it, but without a star player, winning in the playoffs is borderline impossible. Without Oladipo, the Pacers will struggle to push this series beyond 5 games despite the Celtics in-house demons.
Prediction: Boston win series 4-1
(3)Philadelphia vs (6)Brooklyn
Let me hit you with the biggest upset the league has seen in quite some time. The Brooklyn Nets will beat the Philadelphia 76ers in a long drawn out series. Yes it sounds absurd and on paper the 76ers all star starting 5 should mop the floor with the Nets but when you take a deeper look, you realize the Nets could be the 76ers worst nightmare.
The Brooklyn Nets are the worst possible first round matchup for the 76ers, just ask Brett Brown, head coach of the 76ers.
For the first time in a long time the Eastern Conference appears to be the more interesting conference. Albeit may be top heavy with the “big 4” of Milwaukee, Toronto, Boston, and Philadelphia, the matchups possible in the Eastern Conference are all entertaining and unpredictable. If you told me any of those four will make it to the NBA Finals, I could be talked into agreeing as opposed to the Western Conference where it appears nobody is a real threat to the Golden State Warriors. So let’s breakdown these Eastern conference matchups.
“Dangerous. Completely dangerous. They got a bunch of players who can play out of a live ball or a pick and roll. And when I assess where we are weak, where do we need help most, it’s pick and roll defense. (…) The matchup scares me.”
Sixers head coach Brett Brown on matchup against the Nets
The Nets feature three explosive guards in All-Star D’angelo Russell, 6th man of the year candidate Spencer Dinwiddie, and guard Caris LeVert who all can cause havoc in this series. With the 76ers having only Jimmy Butler as a lockdown perimeter defender to chase around the three guards, Butler will tire quickly while the other two guards have their way with Ben Simmons and small JJ Redick. Not to mention having to closeout on Joe Harris, who was the best three point shooter this season. The Sixers perimeter defense will be a concern all series long. And all it takes is one hot streak by D’angelo Russell for the Nets teams confidence to soar through the roof.
An even bigger concern for the Sixers remains the knee of Joel Embiid which has caused him to miss time down the stretch. The lack of continuity the Sixers have with Ben Simmons, JJ Redick, Jimmy Butler, Tobias Harris, and Joel Embiid all on the floor together is an issue. It reminds me of the Duke team that was extremely talented, but lacked continuity and struggled against teams that featured much less talent, but much more chemistry.
I may be over thinking this, but all signs point to the Nets upsetting the powerhouse Sixers. The Nets have zero pressure coming from its front office, fanbase, nor Vegas who have them as high underdogs.
Prediction: Nets Win Series 4-2.
(2) Toronto vs (7) Orlando
Markell Fultz keeps his career long streak of making the playoffs alive as the Orlando Magic went on an insane win streak to reach the playoffs for the first time since Dwight Howard leftest town.
In all seriousness, the Magic are a nice story, Nikola Vucevic grew into a real NBA player this season and earned himself a lot of money in the upcoming free agency. But this series is an absolute snooze fest. Nobody in their right mind is watching this series outside of Canada and Orlando. The Raptors will blow the Magic out of the arena on their way to the 4-0 sweep. Im not even sure Kawhi Leonard plays in every game of the series as he preserves his energy for a deep playoff run, maybe even into June.
Prediction: Raptors win 4-0
