NBA: Second Round Predictions
No. 4 Boston Celtics (49-33, 4-0) @ No. 1 Milwaukee Bucks (60-22, 4-0): The Bucks used 37.0% shooting from beyond the arc to quickly take care of the Detroit Pistons in the opening round. Milwaukee looked like arguably the best team in the league from the tip of Game 1 and were led by their NBA MVP candidate Giannis Antetokounmpo (26.3 points, 52.1% FG) who overpowered Detroit with 41 points in Game 4. Milwaukee relies a lot on three-point shooting and unfortunately for Boston, it doesn't look like their shooters are slowing down anytime soon. However, the Celtics were dominant on defense in the first round, holding the Indiana Pacers to a postseason-low 91.8 points per game. Kyrie Irving (22.5 points, 88.2% FT) will have to score 25-30 points per game in order for Boston to pull an upset.
No. 3 Philadelphia 76ers (51-31, 4-1) @ No. 2 Toronto Raptors (58-24, 4-10): The Raptors and 76ers each lost Game 1 on their home floor before responding for four consecutive victories. I think it's safe to say that they overlooked the Orlando Magic and Brooklyn Nets, respectively, before refocusing and doing what we expected them to do. Toronto likes to spread the floor and give Kawhi Leonard (27.8 points, 6.6 rebounds) room to work and they usually follow his play. Pascal Siakam will have major impact on this series as well. We'll see if the 76ers decide to put Jimmy Butler or Tobias Harris on Leonard. Butler is one of the best perimeter defenders in the league, but Harris has more length and size. On the other side of the floor, Joel Embiid (24.8 points, 13.5 rebounds) will be the center of attention.
No. 4 Houston Rockets (53-29, 4-1) @ No. 1 Golden State Warriors (57-25, 4-2): The Rockets made quick work of the Utah Jazz in a five-game series. James Harden (27.8 points, 37.4% FG) led the team in scoring in all five games, but is currently 129th in field goal percentage in the playoffs. He has to be more efficient to upset the Warriors. We all know how the Rockets run their offense, which is based on a high level of efficiency, and they have what it takes to win this series but Harden has to be better than he was against the Jazz. In Golden State's opening series, they certainly didn't look as impressive and consistent as we projected. The Warriors have immense talent and with the way Draymond Green (11.2 points, 7.4 assists) is playing and controlling the game, they are still the clear favorites to win it all.
No. 3 Portland Trail Blazers (53-29, 4-1) @ No. 2 Denver Nuggets (54-28, 4-3): The Nuggets were the only team to win their series in seven games, while the Trail Blazers ran straight through the Oklahoma City Thunder. Damian Lillard (33.0 points, 48.1% 3PFG) is absolutely scorching as he leads the league in scoring during the playoffs and he capped that off with a 50-point performance in Game 5, where he walked it off to eliminate the Thunder. Lillard isn't going to slow down, so the key to the series will be whether or not Denver has to play keep up or if they can limit the other Portland players and force Lillard to carry the entire load. The Nuggets have one of the most entertaining offenses to watch and Nikola Jokic (23.5 points, 11.7 rebounds) should be able to dominate Enes Kanter.
Second Round Picks:
First Round Records:
T-1. Ariun Paige: 7-1
T-1. Charles Post: 7-1
T-1. Chinedum Wejinya: 7-1
T-1. Jibreel O'Bannon: 7-1
T-5. Chase Zayac: 6-2
T-5. Tyler Taylor: 6-2
Photo Credit: Sporting News.
