It’s that time of year again, and it’s time for me to do my NBA series Pick’Ems!
West First Round:
#1 Thunder vs #8 Grizzlies
While the Grizzlies were a good team for the first half of the season, and most likely have an multiple All-NBA caliber players in Ja Morant and JJJ, the Thunder are just a better version of the Grizzlies. They have the better defense, the better half-court offense, and more size. They also have the better version of nearly every player. The Grizzlies also have lost their identity. Ja Morant is often times more of a distraction than an actual benefit to the team, especially with his celebration shenanigans. This is an easy one, OKC in 4.
#2 Rockets vs #7 Warriors
Warriors have the veterans, but Rockets have the youth and athleticism. Since the Jimmy Butler trade, the Warriors have been the top defense in the NBA, but their issues continue to lie on offense. Despite having the greatest shooter of all time, they are an average three point shooting team. With the lack of shooting, it really is all on Steph to create space and pull defenders with his gravity. The Rockets meanwhile, have a tenacious defense themselves and excel in the transition, perfect against a team that can struggle to get shots in offensively in the Warriors. Additionally, the last time the Rockets played the Warriors, Amen Thompson was able to put Steph Curry in the torture chamber, holding him to just 3 points. While that is an anomaly, I believe the Rockets do have it in them to hamper the” Warriors, especially considering the Warriors are coming into the series exhausted, having played nearly a month of games with serious implications, and barely scraping past the Grizzlies in the play-ins. I originally was going to say Rockets in a close 7, but it’s hard to believe in the young guns to beat the Warriors if it goes to 7. As such, despite the fact I believe the Rockets have great matchup edges and are the better team overall, I’ll chose to drink the coolaid and believe in Steph and Jimmy one last time, Warriors in 7.
#3 Lakers vs #6 Timberwolves
Three words. Luka and LeBron. Heading into this series, the Lakers arguably have the two best players, one of which tore the Timberwolves heart out last year. While this is a very crude analysis, I just believe in the Lakers star power. You are entering a playoff series with home court advantage, with the two best players. I find it hard to believe Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle are going to be able to outplay Luka and LeBron in the clutch. Last year a better version of this Timberwolves team (with KAT) lost to Luka and friends. This Lakers team is better than those Mavs. Anthony Edwards is good enough to win 1 by himself, and the Lakers defense is weak enough to likely cost them another game, so I’ll go Lakers in 6.
#4 Nuggets vs #5 Clippers
This was the hardest series for me to pick. The Clippers have one of the best starting 5 in the league, and have a team loaded with veteran players with deep playoff experience. With that said, they are the Clippers, and have two of the all time most inconsistent players in Kawhi Leonard (due to injuries) and James Harden (due to being James Harden…….). And who are they facing? The 3-time MVP and best player in the world, Nikola Jokic. With that logic, it seems like the Nuggets are the easy pick. Unfortunately, the regular season happened. Down the home stretch, the Nuggets lost multiple critical key games against fodder and playoff teams alike. After spiraling down the Western Conference ladder and barely holding onto the 4 seed, they fired both their HC and GM. The Clippers, on the otherhand, have been on a heater. Kawhi has been a top 5 player since March, and James Harden seems to have turned back the clock and will likely get an all-NBA nod. Despite the Clippers extensive history of failures, and their two stars being some of the most inconsistent stars in the NBA, if this Clipper team gets going, they could easily upset Jokic. With all that being said, just like with the Lakers I believe that the best players win teams games, and can win series. If Jokic truly is a top 10 all time player, he alone should be good enough to take out a Clipper team of this caliber. Nuggets in 7.
East First Round:
#1 Cavaliers vs #8 Heat
In the east, the playoffs are a lot easier. Unlike the West where seeds 2 through 7 were decided by less than 5 games, the East will basically be chalk. The Cavs are a 60 win team. The Heat’s best player is Bam Adabayo? or Tyler Herro? Either way, they lost their true superstar and culture setter in Jimmy Butler. The Cavs have the best player in virtually every role, and will have the significantly better 6-10. Cavs sweep.
#2 Celtics vs #7 Magic
Don’t get fooled. Despite the Celtics being the 2, they are still probably the best team in the NBA. The Magic, meanwhile, can’t score against anyone. The Magic have the worst half court offense in the NBA, and are going up against a defensive jugernaut in Boston. The Celtics have elite 3 point shooting, elite playmaking, and an elite defense that is capable of switching with basically every player. This is also an easy one. Celtics sweep.
#3 Knicks vs #6 Pistons
While the Knicks got the 3 seed, don’t get fooled. They have struggled mightily against the cream of the crop in the West AND East. I do not believe that they are heads and shoulders better than the Pistons. Similarly, the Pistons may have the best overall player in the series in Cade. The Knicks have an elite 1-5, but its hard to trust in Thibs to not overplay his players. History has shown that he tends to overplay his starters, which can and has led to playoff disappointments. With that said, the Knicks should still be able to handle the Pistons, even if Cade is the best player overall. The Pistons are still too young, and don’t have enough talent to compete with the Knicks top-heavy roster. Knicks in 6.
#4 Pacers vs #5 Bucks
This one is also difficult. The Pacers have by far the better team and roster, led by star PG Haliburton. The Bucks, however, have arguably the second best player in the sport in Giannis Antetokoumpo. Since being eliminated by the Celtics in 2022, Giannis hasn’t won ONE playoff game. He hasn’t been able to win a single game, let alone a series. It’s hard to fathom that Giannis will once again be bounced in the first round. Unfortunately, the Bucks just lack talent. Their big acquisition was Damian Lillard, but he’s out with DVT. Bobby Portis was also suspended for a significant chunk of the season for taking PEDs. It’s just hard to believe that Giannis, effectively on his own, will be able to carry a subpar Bucks roster to a win against the Pacers. With that being said, NBA history shows us that great players do great things, and a player of Giannis caliber historically is able to do magic and will their teams to victory. In the same vein as picking the Nuggets over Clippers, I will put my faith in Giannis. Bucks in 7.
My second round bracket will then be as follows
West Semis
#1 Thunder vs #4 Nuggets
#3 Lakers vs #7 Warriors
East Semis
#1 Cavaliers vs #5 Bucks
#2 Celtics vs #3 Knicks
See you guys after the first round, where we will do a quick recap and make our picks for the Semis!