NBA: predicting the playoffs

by Christopher Petronella, Sports Editor

National Basketball Association’s (NBA) playoffs are here, all teams have done their best to get where they are today. The teams that have made it to the playoffs are (for the east) the Brooklyn Nets, Atlanta Hawks, Washington Wizards, Toronto Raptors, Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Chicago Bulls, and Milwaukee Bucks.

For the west, it was the Golden State Warriors, New Orleans Pelicans, Houston Rockets, Memphis Grizzlies, Portland Trail Blazers, Dallas Mavericks, San Antonio Spurs, and the Los Angeles Clippers. However, there can only be one winner, here are the predictions.

First round Eastern Conference:

Hawks vs Nets: 4-2

Wizards vs Raptors 4-2

Celtics vs Cavaliers: 0-4

Bulls vs Bucks 4-2

There is a better team in each playoff team in the East, most of the teams in the East will have the highest chance of winning while the others won’t. The Nets have been rocky this season, they have had horrible games, and great games. Brook Lopez was up and down this season, He is good, but not good enough to make it to the next round. Wizards are 100% stronger than the Raptors, they may struggle with their shooting due to Bradley Beal who struggles on offense.

Cavaliers are dominant, they can’t beat the Celtics, they are not strong, they are a developing team, and they got hot during the end of the season, this team doesn’t stand a chance.

First round Western Conference:

Golden State vs Pelicans: 4-1

Grizzlies vs Trail Blazers: 4-2

Rockets vs Mavericks: 4-2

Spurs vs Clippers: 4-3

Once again, most teams will get by easily while the Spurs and Clippers will be the closest match in this round. This is because of the fact that Clippers are emerging into a better, young team, and the fact that the Spurs are getting older and older by the second. However, the Clippers will not make it, because of the fact that the Spurs have better team chemistry than the Clippers.

Second round Eastern Conference:

Hawks vs Wizards: 4-2

Bulls vs Cavs: 3-4

Bulls and the Cavs will be close, but the Cavs will be the winners because of the fact there team is stronger than the Bulls. Cavs are stronger with Lebron James on the floor. The Wizards may struggle due to the poor scoring of Beal, but depending on the shooting situation, it may change. However for now, the Hawks will defeat the Wizards.

Second round Western Conference:

Rockets vs Spurs: 4-2

Golden State vs Grizzlies: 4-2

Rockets and Golden State have been wonderful this year, which is why they are probably going to advance to conference finals. Grizzlies are going to have issues against Golden State, they are not stronger offensively than the Warriors. Rockets have been strong, the Spurs are getting too old, they won’t be able to take out the Rockets.

Conference Finals: West

Rockets vs Golden State: 3-4

Golden State has owned the standings this year, it makes sense for them to win the conference finals. The Rockets won’t stand a chance because James Harden tends to take control towards the end, but he isn’t enough to stop Golden State.

Conference Finals East:

Cavs vs Hawks: 4-3

Hawks were better this season, however, Lebron and the Cavs will find a way to clutch to the finals like Lebron always does.

Finals Game:

Cavs vs Golden State: 2-4

Champion:

The Golden State Warriors will become the champions, because of the stunning season they had. The Warriors have proven to be the best team in the league, they have star players on the team and they have the highest chance of winning the championship because of how well they play on the court