2018-2019 NBA Preview: Playoff Predictions
THE EASTERN CONFERENCE PLAYOFFS
1 Boston over 8 Detroit in 4 5 Milwaukee over 4 Indiana in 7
2 Toronto over Miami in 5 3 Philadelphia over 6 Washington in 6
1 Boston over 5 Milwaukee in 6 2 Toronto over 3 Philadelphia in 7
1 Boston over 2 Toronto in 6
As I wrote in my Eastern Conference Preview, it’s a three team race for the crown in the East. Detroit and Miami won’t have a shot in the first round while Washington, Milwaukee, and Indiana don’t have enough firepower to win the East. The Celtics, Raptors, and 76ers are the clear front-runners. While I think both the Raptors and the 76ers are better then last year, it the Celtics that will be coming out of the East. Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward return to a team that was one win away from advancing to the Finals. I’d be shocked if they didn’t make it.
THE WESTERN CONFERENCE PLAYOFFS
1 Golden State over 8 New Orleans in 5 4 Oklahoma City over 5 Denver in 7
2 Houston over 7 Minnesota in 5 3 Utah over 6 San Antonio in 7
1 Golden State over 4 Oklahoma City in 6 2 Houston over 3 Utah in 7
1 Golden State over 2 Houston in 6
Overall, the West is a much better conference then the East. It may take 50 wins just to get into the damn playoffs. Obviously the Warriors are the CLEAR favorites but they will have competition. Oklahoma City and Utah are really good but I feel they are a piece away from becoming true championship contenders. The Rockets came one game away from knocking off the Warriors and can match them blow for blow on offense. But ultimately, the Chris Paul is a year older and losing Trevor Ariza will hurt them drastically on defense. The Warriors advance to their 5th straight Finals.
THE 2019 NBA FINALS
The Boston Celtics over the Golden State Warriors in 6
Put another one in the rafters, the Celtics will be raising their NBA leading 18th championship banner this year. When you look at this match-up, these are clearly the two best teams in basketball. Over the last few years, no one has played the Warriors better then the Celtics. They’re much deeper then the Warriors, they have a much better defense, and more importantly; they want it want it more. Kyrie Irving wins his first Finals MVP, Gordon Hayward returns to All-Star form, Jayson Tatum becomes a superstar, and the Larry O’Brien trophy comes home to Boston.
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Steve Santoro (SVS_1993)
