With the NBA play-in tournament completed, the NBA postseason has finally arrived! The first round has plenty of exciting matchups, and it will be interesting to see if there are any upsets in the works. Each series has an analysis, prediction, pick, and excitement rating with one being the lowest and 10 being the highest. With that being said, let’s dive into it!
NBA Playoffs First Round Preview
(1) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (8)Â Miami Heat
Season Series: Cavaliers 2-1
Analysis: The Cleveland Cavaliers go into the postseason with the best offseason in the entire NBA by most metrics. The Cavaliers were the only team in the NBA that had three players represent them in the offseason. The Miami Heat, on the other hand, needed the play-in tournament to snag their final, as they became the first 10th seed in NBA history to get into the tournament.Â
The Heat are a unit that plays very well together, and they are coached by one of the greatest coaches in NBA history, Erik Spoelstra, who is known for getting his teams to overachieve. The Cavaliers are the more complete team, and their offense will be too much for a solid team like the Miami Heat. The Heat will find a way to snag a game or two because of their streaky shooting and how Spoelstra will make sure his team doesn’t go down without a fight.
Pick: Cavaliers in 6.
Prediction: Miami Heat will blow out the Cavs in one game in Cleveland.
Excitement Rating: 5. Miami will make it somewhat interesting, but Cleveland is the much better team.
(4) Indiana Pacers vs. (5) Milwaukee Bucks
Season Series: Bucks 3-1
Analysis: The most exciting series got a lot more interesting with Damian Lillard possibly returning just in time for the playoffs. Obviously, with Dame, it gives Milwaukee someone who has a reputation for giving 25-30 points a night and, more importantly, someone who has a reputation for being one of the greatest closers in NBA history. This is also a sweet series because it is a rematch after last year’s first-round series, which led to the Pacers winning and eventually going to the conference finals. The Pacers, this time, are a much more improved team defensively and were able to key contributors back from injury compared to last year.
However, I believe this series will be much more competitive. And, when a series feels like a 50-50 coin flip or if it will go a Game 7, I believe that the series will come down to the best player in the series. And that man is Giannis Antetokounmpo. But this is solely assuming Damian Lillard is back and can play close to 100 percent.
Pick: Bucks in 7
Prediction: Giannis will have a 50 pt game, and Damian Lillard will hit a game winner this series.
Excitement Rating: 9.5. This has the potential to be a competitive series, and the rivalry aspect makes it even juicier.
(3) New York Knicks vs. (6)Â Detroit Pistons
Season Series: Pistons 3-1
Analysis: I am not saying this will be a definite upset. But this is very possible. This is a horrible matchup for the Knicks. Yes, the Pistons don’t have the star power or the playoff experience. But the Detroit Pistons do have the size and the depth to give the Knicks a tough matchup. The way for the Knicks to win is they overwhelm Detroit with their star power, with scoring, and cause Detroit to turn the ball over.
The Pistons, on the other hand, can shock the Knicks if they get KAT into foul trouble or if they contain Jalen Brunson amd hit their perimeter shots. The Knicks have one of the best starting 5s in the NBA, but were dead last in bench points. New York was also one of the worst teams defending the three. If I were betting on the series, I would pick the Knicks in seven, but since I am not, I think the Pistons will do more than just win their first playoff game since 2008. Detroit Basketball!
Picks: Pistons in 6.
Prediction: Cade Cunningham averages 35 points in the series.
Excitement Rating: 8.5. This series I believe, has potential for an upset. Or at least see an old rivalry brew. And see Cade Cunningham on national TV. Dude is the real deal.
(2) Boston Celtics vs. (7)Â Orlando Magic
Season Series: Magic 2-1
Analysis: This series will be heavily focused on defense, and the pace of each game will be slowed down. Both Orlando and Boston were top five defensive teams this season, as well as bottom three in pace. However, the defending champs Celtics, just have too many weapons on offense, which will be the x-factor in the series. Outside of Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, the Magic just don’t have any serious options offensively, and they were considered to be one of the worst teams in the NBA offensively by every metric. The series should be relatively close in all games, but the Celtics are just a better team all around, and the series should be over relatively quickly.Â
Pick: Celtics in 5.
Prediction: Magic will hold Celtics to under 25 percent from three in one game.
Excitement Rating: 3. The series would have been a lot more exciting if the Magic weren’t so limited offensively.
(1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (8)Â Memphis Grizzlies
Season Series: Thunder 4-0
Analysis: This series, I believe, will be the only one that ends in a sweep. It is just an easy matchup for the most dominant team in the NBA. The Oklahoma City Thunder were a defensive juggernaut all year long, and they thrive on the perimeter, leading the league in steals. Let’s not forget that the Thunder won every game by double digits.
The Grizzlies, on the other hand, were one of the worst teams in the NBA at taking care of the ball. The Grizzlies ranked 28th in turnovers and gave up the 3rd most points off turnovers. This is the most likely series that ends in a sweep, but Memphis can pull out one win. And a series of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Ja Morant is always exciting.
Pick: Thunder in 4.
Prediction: Memphis fails to score 100 points in each game.
Excitement Rating: 3.5. The games themselves I don’t think will be exciting. But a series with Ja Morant and SGA will always be entertaining,
(4) Denver Nuggets vs. (5)Â Los Angeles Clippers
Season Series: Tie 2-2
Analysis: This is a rough matchup for the Nuggets. The Nuggets do have the playoff experience and the best player in the NBA in Nikola Jokic. However, the Clippers have the momentum and one of the best defenses in the NBA. Also, let’s not forget the Nuggets fired their championship head coach a week before the postseason, and the Nuggets had one of the weakest benches and defenses in the entire league.
The big X-factor for Denver will be if everyone else can step up. Jokic will be Jokic, but the Clippers have been one of the best teams as of late, and let’s not forget Kawhi Leonard and James Harden were arguably top 5 players in the league just half a decade ago. Also, remember Tyronn Lue is a championship head coach and one of the best in the NBA.
Pick: Clippers in 6.
Prediction: Russell Westbrook doesn’t score in one game.
Excitement Rating: 6. Anything with Jokic brings some form of entertainment.
(3) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (6)Â Minnesota Timberwolves
Season Series: Tie 2-2
Analysis: This will be one of the best first-round series. The Minnesota Timberwolves are going up against the player who ended their championship run in Luka Doncic. Only difference. He is now a Laker. This Lakers team doesn’t have the size to compete with Minnesota in the entire. However, they have three guys who can create their offenses at an elite level and 2 superstars.
With Minnesota, the X-Factor will be Julius Randle. If he can step up as another big who can take advantage of the Lakers’ lack of size and be a reliable number two option, then the Timberwolves could be a problem. Julius Randle has not played well at all during the postseason. Also, in a close series, guys who can create offense and have the best player will always have the edge. Let’s not forget, the Lakers still have LeBron James, that elite 40-year-old.
Prediction: Lakers in 6.
Prediction: Luka Doncic hits the same game winner over Rudy Gobert in the series.
Excitement Rating: 9. Anything with LeBron and Luka brings excitement. Also, Anthony Edwards is an elite superstar who will have some highlights.
(2) Houston Rockets vs. (7)Â Golden State Warriors
Season Series: Warriors 3-2
Analysis: Let’s not be fooled. The Warriors are not your typical seventh seed. Once Jimmy Butler arrived, the Warriors had the best defense and one of the best records in the NBA. Still, the Rockets are one of the best young teams in the NBA and are one of the top teams defensively. The big question mark for the Rockets is, who will their go-to scorer be down the stretch? Sure, the Rockets have the size and athletic ability, but when it comes to playoff basketball, experience is an underrated component. And the Warriors have much experience, especially when Steph Curry, Draymond Green, and Jimmy Butler all have their deep playoff runs.
Prediction: Warriors in 7.
Prediction: Jalen Green will average less than 18 points a night.
Excitement Rating. 7. A great 2-7 matchup that doesn’t feel like. Plus, a young team on the rise vs. a team in win-now mode.
Main Image: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
