Second Round Predictions: 2018 NBA Playoffs
May 2, 2018
By Nick Kazandjian
The First Round of the NBA Playoffs is through and now it’s starting to get down to it. We have seen some great playoff matchups this season including the Utah Jazz vs Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers vs Cleveland Cavaliers. There is a lot of uncertainty as to what teams are going to make it deep into the playoffs and I am here to clear that all up for you.
#1 Toronto Raptors vs #4 Cleveland Cavaliers
Regular Season Matchups – Cleveland 2-1 *CLE leads 1-0
1/11 Toronto 133 Cleveland 99
3/21 Cleveland 132 Toronto 129
4/03 Cleveland 112 Toronto 106
Game 1: Cleveland 113 Toronto 112
This is looking like a very high scoring series in the playoffs. Both teams aren’t lock down defensively but take a high volume of shots and play at a quick pace. The Raptors will have their hands full taking care of Lebron James, who did the definition of putting the team on his back against Indiana. This is a struggling Cavs team who needs Lebron to score 35+ on a consistent basis to stay afloat. Only thing is Lebron can and will do that. The only way the Raptors can take this one is if DeRozan and Lowry both show up huge this series and take on a majority of the scoring load. I don’t see that happening since Lebron is DeMar’s kryptonite.
Prediction:
Cleveland 4-3 winning Game 7 in Toronto to push their way to the ECF.
#2 Boston Celtics vs #3 Philadelphia 76ers
Regular Season Matchups – 3-1 Boston *BOS Leads 1-0
10/20 Boston 102 Philadelphia 92
11/30 Boston 108 Philadelphia 97
1/11 Boston 114 Philadelphia 103
1/18 Philadelphia 89 Boston 80
Game 1: Boston 117 Philadelphia 101
This will be the highlight matchup of the second round. Either team could take this series and it’s going to come down to how well each team plays defensively. The Celtics have played some really good basketball especially at home and matchup really well against the Sixers. While it is an even bout the Sixers have Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid. Both teams are gonna bring it this series and it should be the best matchup of the second round. The fact that the Celtics still won Game 1 without Jaylen Brown is really telling.
Prediction:
Celtics 4-3 winning Game 7 in Boston.
#1 Houston Rockets vs #4 Utah Jazz
Regular Season Matchups – Houston 4-0 – *HOU Lead 1-0
11/5 Houston 137 Utah 110
12/7 Houston 112 Utah 101
12/18 Houston 120 Utah 99
2/26 Houston 96 Utah 85
Game 1: Houston 110 Utah 96
Houston is an offensive machine. D’Antoni is running one of the best statistical offenses in the history of the NBA and they are extremely efficient. Utah has their hands full. They have played the Rockets 5 times this season and couldn’t come away with one victory and if that doesn’t tell the story, I don’t know what does. The Jazz are also missing playoff stud Ricky Rubio but they do match up well against Houston. The only problem is that there is no matchup in the league for the soon to be MVP James Harden. He is an offensive machine and dropped 41 on the Jazz in Game 1 and if you think he’s slowing down, you’ll be waiting a long time.
Prediction:
Houston 4-1 Houston moves on to the WCF.
#2 Golden State Warriors vs #6 New Orleans Pelicans
Regular Season Matchups – Golden State 3-1 – *GSW Lead 2-0
10/20 Golden State 128 New Orleans 120
11/25 Golden State 110 New Orleans 95
12/4 Golden State 125 New Orleans 115
4/7 New Orleans 126 Golden State 120
Game 1: Golden State 123 New Orleans 101
Game 2: Golden State 121 New Orleans 116
Golden State is an offensive juggernaut and the team will likely get Steph Curry back for Game 2. They took an easy 22 point victory in Game 1 and kept Anthony Davis under 30. If they continue to do that it should be an easy ride for Golden State to a much anticipated matchup with Houston in the WCF. The Pelicans are missing Boogie Cousins and with him around this might have been a pretty interesting series. I am sure Anthony Davis will help the Pelicans take a game or two but ultimately the Pelicans are still a little ways away from being a serious contender in the West. With Cousins around next season the twin tower duo of Cousins and Davis could be a problem to teams like the Warriors who tend to play small ball without a prolific center manning the paint.
Prediction:
Golden State Warriors 4-1 finishing up the series in Oracle to matchup against the Rockets in Houston.
