NBA Playoffs: Round 2 Preview and Predictions
We were blessed with an entertaining Round 1! We saw sweeps, upsets, and even got to enjoy a Game 7 between Cleveland and Orlando. Some stars made an early exit and others moved forward. Several players will use these playoffs to catapult themselves into true superstardom. For those of you that missed my Round 1 Preview, here is how Biasedly Unbiased Sports fared.
Round 1 Record: 6-2
Perfect Predictions (Winner and # of Games): 2
I will take a 6-2 record anytime. I am not as confident this time around as the series has become more evenly matched; however, I am hoping we get at least one more Game 7 in the Conference Semi-Finals. As we all know, the words “Game 7” are the single two best words in all of sports. Enjoy the final month and a half of basketball because, as with sports, it will be over before we know it.
East
Boston Celtics vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Celtics Round 1 Recap
As expected, the team with the best record in the NBA cruised to a first round victory against Miami. One of many examples where a star player was injured, the Heat were without Jimmy Butler. Boston won in five games and it may have been a sweep if Miami hadn’t gone nuclear and hit 23 threes. I think there was a bit of panic/PTSD coming from the Celtics fans after the early loss because of the recent playoff history between the two teams. Statistically, the Celtics’ starters did not put up big numbers because a handful of these games were blowouts early in the second half. With that being said, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Derrick White all put up over 20 points per game in their opening series. The additional play time may also provide confidence to bench players who could come up big in further playoff series. The Celtics got plenty of rest as the Cavaliers/Magic matchup went seven games. This team will be hard to beat for anyone as they can score with ease and start five players that are strong defensively.
Celtics X-Factor: Bench Scoring
Cavaliers Round 1 Recap
The Cavaliers beat the Orlando Magic in the only first round series that went seven games. Of course, a win is the most important thing, but the Cavs go in more worn down that the opposing Celtics. One major piece of information Cleveland is waiting on is the health of star center Jarrett Allen. They will get a huge boost if he can come back for this second round series. The Cavs had a great defensive performance by Evan Mobley and, less notably, Isaac Okoro. Mobley was racking up blocks left and right while Okoro was a pest for the Magic, allowing the Cavs to come back in Game 7. Donovan Mitchell averaged 28.7 points per game in this series. He wasn’t as dominant early on, but scored 50 and 39 points in the final two games of the series leading Cleveland to the second round. Simply put, players like Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and Max Strus will need to take some of the load off Mitchell if they hope to continue their playoff journey. Donovan Mitchell was great, but that type of usage is not sustainable moving forward.
Cavaliers X-Factor: Non-Mitchell Scoring
The Boston Celtics entered the playoffs a juggernaut and nothing we saw in the first round led us to think any differently. Donovan Mitchell deserves a standing ovation for his performance against the Magic, but I don’t expect that to continue against Boston. Orlando has a great defense, but the Celtics can throw several elite defenders at Mitchell, making his job difficult. The Cavaliers will run into a similar problem on the offensive end, as Isaac Okoro may be able to slow down one Celtics star. However, the Celtics have too many options and may look to expose the Cavs if they go with their Allen-Mobley lineups starting two big men. The only hope Cleveland has is for another player to step up offensively. I think the Celtics will win this series without much stress and move on to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Prediction for Round 2: Celtics in 5
New York Knicks vs. Indiana Pacers
Knicks Round 1 Recap
The Knicks beat the 76ers in a hard fought six-game series. Every single game was within 11 points, and five of those games were within 6 points. This series was the dictionary definition of a dog fight. Embiid and Maxey each had games where they were unstoppable, but it wasn’t enough to defeat New York. After struggling to get it going early in the series, Jalen Brunson went absolutely nuclear. He averages 35 points and 9 assists to lead the Knicks to the second round. Miles “Deuce” McBride also came off the bench playing lock down defense and shooting 43% from three. The scrappy Knicks played great in the fourth quarter of their games and will be tough to beat. Jalen Brunson also continues to prove himself to be one of the best players in the NBA.
Knicks X-Factor- Non Brunson Scoring
Pacers Round 1 Recap
Indiana beat the Bucks in a six game first round series. The first thing people will mention is that Giannis missed the entire series and Dame missed some games as well. With that being said, do not discount this Pacers squad. They came to play each night and defeated a team full of championship experience. Pascal Siakam was playing some of his best basketball averaging 22.3 points and 8.8 rebounds. Tyrese Haliburton did not have a fantastic statistical series, but he made big plays down the stretch when it mattered most and notched over 9 assists in the first round. The supporting cast for the Pacers need some love for their tough defense against Milwaukee. Specifically - Myles Turner, Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, and TJ McConnell were all fantastic and channeled toughness and energy in their performance. The Pacers have a fast-paced offense and it will be interesting to see how this pairs against the Knicks tough perimeter defense.
Pacers X-Factor- Fast Break Points
This may not be the most exciting series of the second round, but it’s a series with history. While the history is not recent, expect to see a lot of Reggie Miller vs. Spike Lee clips. The Knicks come into this series hot and with the entire city of New York buzzing about Jalen Brunson. The Pacers are going in as underdogs that will have something to prove. Indiana will try to use their high powered offense to outscore and speed up New York. This will be very difficult due to the likes of OG Anunoby, Deuce McBride, Josh Hart, and Mitchell Robinson on the Knicks. These guys will make it tough for Indiana to get going. After watching the opening round, we know Brunson will get his. The question is what the Knicks will get from the other players. I think Indiana’s offense will get going enough to steal a couple games, but New York will stay ultimately hot and stifle this high powered offense.
Prediction: Knicks in 6
West
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Dallas Mavericks
Thunder Round 1 Recap
Oklahoma City swept a depleted Pelican team. Without Zion Williamson, this New Orleans team was feisty but the first seeded Thunder were the clear top dogs. Game one went down to the wire but the other three games were not so close. Shai Gilegeous-Alexander continues to be a star in this league and prove why he was an MVP candidate this season. One of the most underrated aspects of this OKC team is the suffocating defense that they play. A lot of attention was rightfully given to Chet Holmgren. The rookie was blocking and altering shots throughout the entire first round. SGA played fantastic defense but Lu Dort and the “dorture chamber” were on full display. With Zion out, Brandon Ingram was the Pelicans number one option and Dort made his life miserable for most of that series. The Thunder have one of the best offense and defense combinations in the entire league which will make them a tough team to beat moving forward.
Thunder X-Factor: Creating Turnovers
Mavericks Round 1 Recap:
The Mavericks won a back and forth opening round series against the Los Angeles Clippers. The Clippers were also affected by an injury to their star player Kawhi Leonard. With that being said, the Mavericks played fantastic basketball. They got big contributions from bench players like Maxi Kleber, Dereck Lively II, and Josh Green in games throughout the series. Obviously, a lot of attention is going toward the Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving duo, and rightfully so. In the series, Luka averaged 30.8 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 8.8 assists, nearly notching himself a triple-double average. Kyrie averaged 25 points per game and was dynamic both offensively and defensively. He was the most engaged I’d ever seen him defensively and was absolutely on fire in some of the second halves of these games, especially game six. While the star duo deserve a ton of love, the offseason and midseason additions for this team need their flowers. Most notably, Derrick Jones Jr, P.J Washington, and Daniel Gafford. These three players came up with timely baskets and made life difficult on an explosive Clippers offense. This is the most talented team of the Luka Doncic era, and will not be an easy out for anyone.
Mavericks X-Factor: Kyrie Irving Offense
This series will be exciting, and that’s an understatement. We have the youth of the Thunder and their rising stars up against the Mavericks who have two tride and true veterans, Luka and Kyrie, who have been long established. Both teams have professional bucket-getters, but also have a strong identity on the defensive end. Since defense isn’t as sexy as being elite offensively, their defensive prowess goes widely undocumented. The Mavs and Thunder being elite on both sides of the floor adds more uncertainty to this series. Each team will create turnovers and make life difficult on the All-Star-caliber players in this matchup. I am truly unsure on who will win this series as I can see it going either way. Right now, I think the Mavericks get the win. The Thunder may be a year away from true contention and the Mavericks will be nearly impossible to beat if Kyrie Irving keeps playing like he has been. As I said, don’t be surprised if this series goes either way.
Prediction: Mavericks in 6
Denver Nuggets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
Nuggets Round 1 Recap
The Nuggets beat the Lakers in five games despite Los Angeles leading each game for a majority of time. As we’ve seen time and time again, the Nuggets turn into the terminator during the third and fourth quarters. Nikola Jokic is able to find the best shot for either himself or his teammates almost at will. The Joker is .2 assists from averaging a triple double in the playoffs (28.2 points, 16.2 rebounds, and 9.8 assists). Additionally, Jamaal Murray has again shown that Playoff Jamaal is a completely different beast. Murray averaged 23.3 points and 7.2 assists in the Nuggets first round series. While the Nuggets weren’t playing amazing, Michael Porter Jr. has been shooting the lights out of the ball. He is averaging 22.8 points and shooting 48.8% from behind the arc. The scary part for the rest of the NBA is that the defending champions are not even playing their best basketball yet.
Nuggets X-Factor: Bench Production/3-Point Shooting
Timberwolves Round 1 Recap
Minnesota pulled off one of the biggest surprises of the first round. It was not unfathomable for them to beat Phoenix, but a sweep was certainly not expected. Phoenix is a team that has three star veterans - Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal. You would think they would at least be able to force a game to go six games or further; however, Anthony Edwards had different plans. This series has put Anthony Edwards on the brink of superstar status and another great series here will launch him into true stardom. His intensity on both sides of the floor has been incredible and he is scoring at will. While I could talk for hours about Anthony Edwards, the defensive tenacity of the T-Wolves were the main reason they swept a talented Suns team. Rudy Gobert anchors the middle while Jaden McDaniels, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Mike Conley, and more were wreaking havoc on the defensive end. The Timberwolves and Anthony Edwards have become must watch basketball.
Timberwolves X-Factor: KAT Foul trouble/ production
This series will be THE series of the second round. The reigning champion Nuggets are looking to repeat and have shown no signs that they cannot do so. Jokic will attempt to take his game to another level while being defended by one of the best big man defenders of all time, Rudy Gobert. For the Timberwolves, they are looking to take their organization and team to the next level. The Nuggets will need their three point shooting and bench play to improve if they are hoping to win their second consecutive NBA title. Players like Christian Braun, Peyton Watson, and Reggie Jackson will need to come up big much like the Nuggets’ bench did last year. For the Timberwolves, they will try to make this series sloppy but they will need Ant’s running mate Karl Anthony-Towns to be productive and smart. We have seen him struggle and commit some questions fouls in playoffs past. In the end, I think the Timberwolves will really test this Nuggets team. They have the size, athleticism, and defensive intensity to cause trouble for Denver. However, down the stretch I think Jokic and Murray will be tough to beat in a seven-game series. Anthony Edwards will be officially welcomed to the superstars club, but Denver will sneak away with a victory.
Prediction: Nuggets in 7