What some people call the best two months in sports has finally arrived!! While I am unabashedly a football first, second and third fan, I will admit the best “playoffs” in sports is undoubtedly the NBA playoffs.
The Play-In
#7 Magic vs. #8 Hawks
- Two perennial play-in behemoths face off for the right to delay their vacation and get beaten up by the Celtics for a week. Give me the Hawks, Trae Young has had a good year and the Hawks have the ability that 28 other NBA teams have: play offense. The Magic, sadly, are the only team to miss out on this ability. I might be in the minority saying that I would take Franz Wagner AND Paolo Banchero on my team before I would want Trae – but give me the Hawks in this game.
#9 Bulls vs. #10 Heat
- In a weird way, I would rather play the Hawks or Magic right now over either of these two teams. The Bulls have won 6 of 7 going into this game and beat the Heat a week ago, so I like them to keep that going. Bulls win.
#9 Bulls vs. #7 Magic
- Bulls can play offense and have been on a roll, the Magic squander their hot start to the season and miss the playoffs. Bulls win the 8 seed.
The East
The Celtics are poised to run through the East like an ill advised midnight-run Taco Bell burrito. But that doesn’t mean that the process leading up to the Celtics coronation won’t be enjoyable. I’m not going to dive into the Cavs or Celtics first round series because they should be nice, short 4 game series.
First Round
#4 Pacers vs #5 Bucks
Giannis Antetokounmpo has been playing some of the best ball of his career, however I have a core principle I live by: I don’t pick Doc Rivers teams to win playoff series. Giannis is the best player in the series by a country mile, yet the next 4 best players and better coach are all on the Pacers. With that being said I’ll take the Pacers in 7 over the Bucks.
#3 Knicks vs. #6 Pistons
Before we dive in, just know I’m predicting a 7 game physical series. Cade Cunningham is the best player in the series, and Malik Beasley is having one of the best non-Curry 3 point shooting seasons ever. Ron Holland and Isaiah Stewart on the same team in a playoff series that is going to be full of emotion has the potential to wreck everything from the inside for the Pistons, and couple that with inexperience and I’ll take the Knicks to win that game 7 in The Garden.
Second Round
#1 Cavaliers vs. #3 Knicks
- Knicks don’t beat great teams, Cavs get revenge in 5.
#2 Celtics vs. #4 Pacers
- Maybe the Pacers are hot for a few games and make it look more competitive than it was. But give me the Celtics in 5.
Conference Championship
#1 Cavaliers vs. #2 Celtics
- The Cavs should be commended for their season, they were fantastic and they have so much potential going forward. That being said, the Celtics are a borderline all-star team. Celtics in 6.
Mike's Hard Takes 