NBA: Second Round playoff predictions
#1 Lakers (52-19, 4-1) vs #4 Rockets (44-28,4-3): The Lakers and the Rockets are probably the two least similar teams remaining in the playoffs. Los Angeles starts a traditional lineup with Lebron James, Anthony Davis, and JaVale McGee in the frontcourt. That's 20 feet and seven inches of height and 22 feet of wingspan. We fully expect the Lakers to handle the Rockets in paint points and rebounds, but Houston will also create issues for Los Angeles. Russell Westbrook (27.2 points, 7.0 assists) when under control, can dominate guys like Danny Green and Kyle Kuzma, and James Harden will look to rebound from an underwhelming Game 7 win. LA needs Davis and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (11.2 points on 40.6% shooting from 3-point range) to continue producing consistently. The Lakers should be able to win in 5-6.
Series Picks:
Ariun Paige: Rockets (7) Blake Stoll: Lakers (5)
Charles Post: Lakers (6) Chinedum Wejinya: Lakers (5)
Luke Gremban: Lakers (6) Max Heningburg: Lakers (4) Raven Martín: Lakers (5) Tunde Aduroja: Lakers (6)
Tyler Taylor: Rockets (7)
MVP Picks:
1. LeBron James (Lakers)
2. James Harden (Rockets)
3. Anthony Davis (Lakers)
4. Russell Westbrook (Rockets)
5. Kyle Kuzma (Lakers)
#2 Clippers (49-23, 4-2) vs #3 Nuggets (46-27, 4-3): The Clippers are the clear favorite in this series, mainly because of the obvious talent gap but also because Denver has to be absolutely gassed after a grueling seven-game series against the Utah Jazz. Jamal Murray (31.6 points, 6.3 assists per game versus Utah) was unconscious in the opening round and even though we think he'll be effective versus the Clippers, it'll be nearly impossible to create a similar performance. Los Angeles will continue to force feed Kawhi Leonard and Lou Williams in isolation-based plays, while Doc Rivers will also hope to get Paul George (18.5 points on 27% 3-point shooting versus Dallas) back on track before a potential matchup against the Lakers. It was fun to see Denver come back agains the Jazz but their run ends here.
Series Picks:
Ariun Paige: Clippers (6) Blake Stoll: Clippers (4)
Charles Post: Clippers (5) Chinedum Wejinya: Clippers (6)
Luke Gremban: Clippers (6) Max Heningburg: Clippers (5) Raven Martín: Clippers (5) Tunde Aduroja: Clippers (6)
Tyler Taylor: Clippers (7)
MVP Picks:
1. Kawhi Leonard (Clippers)
2. Paul George (Clippers)
3. Nikola Jokic (Nuggets)
4. Jamal Murray (Nuggets)
5. Montrezl Harrell (Clippers)
#1 Bucks (56-17. 4-1) vs #5 Heat (44-29, 4-0): Milwaukee recovered quickly after falling to Orlando in Game 1, winning four straight games by an average of 14.5 points per game. Meanwhile, Miami swept Indiana after winning Game 4, 99-87, behind Goran Dragić's 23 points and five assists. In the upcoming second round series between the Bucks and Heat, Milwaukee will look for Khris Middleton to step up while Miami hopes an athletic defense with Jimmy Butler (19.9 points, 1.8 steals per game), Bam Adebayo, and Andre Iguodala can slow down presumed league MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo (29.5 points, 13.6 rebounds per game). The Heat have one of the best defenses designed to stop Giannis and the Bucks, and Erik Spoelstra is undoubtedly one of the best coaches in the league.
Series Picks:
Ariun Paige: Bucks (7) Blake Stoll: Heat (6)
Charles Post: Bucks (7) Chinedum Wejinya: Heat (7)
Luke Gremban: Heat (5) Max Heningburg: Heat (6) Raven Martín: Heat (7) Tunde Aduroja: Heat (6)
Tyler Taylor: Bucks (7)
MVP Picks:
1. Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks)
2. Jimmy Butler (Heat)
3. Goran Dragić (Heat)
4. Khris Middleton (Bucks)
5. Bam Adebayo (Heat)
#2 Raptors (53-19, 4-0) vs #3 Celtics (48-24, 4-0): Toronto might have the more experienced team in this Eastern Conference semifinal matchup, but Boston is definitely deeper and that might be the difference in the end. The Celtics' backcourt of Kemba Walker, Jaylen Brown, and Jayson Tatum (23.4 points, 7.0 rebounds per game) might be the best trio remaining and even the Raptors will struggle to slow down their scoring. On the flip side, Fred VanVleet has been playing at a high level and should cause problems for Boston's perimeter defense. We think this series will come down to the "other" players, though, like OG Anunoby or Serge Ibaka (15.4 points, 8.2 rebounds per game) for the Raptors and Marcus Smart or Daniel Theis for Boston. Either way, it should go at least six games.
Series Picks:
Ariun Paige: Celtics (5) Blake Stoll: Raptors (7)
Charles Post: Raptors (7) Chinedum Wejinya: Celtics (6)
Luke Gremban: Celtics (6) Max Heningburg: Celtics (6) Raven Martín: Toronto (7) Tunde Aduroja: Celtics (7)
Tyler Taylor: Celtics (6)
MVP Picks:
1. Jayson Tatum (Celtics)
2. Kemba Walker (Celtics)
3. Pascal Siakam (Raptors)
4. Kyle Lowry (Raptors)
5. Marcus Smart (Celtics)
Photo Credit: Essentially Sports.
