With the NBA playoffs arriving, here are my hot takes and predictions of the first round matchups.
West Round 1:
1 Thunder vs 8 Suns: If this series is not a sweep, I would be awfully surprised. Dillon Brooks and Grayson Allen are no match for a team that specializes in foul-baiting. Devin Booker will be guarded by Lu Dort, who prides himself on the defensive end, and the Thunder are just an overall better team with more star-power, depth and statistical advantages. Brooks and Lu Dort will compete to see who can get ejected first; Jared McCain will film TikTok dances with Jaylin Williams and Shai will get his 31 points on 25 free throws regardless. Thunder in four.
2 Spurs vs 7 Trail Blazers: The Trail Blazers are a sneaky team with guys a lot of people forgot about, such as Jrue Holiday, Jerami Grant and Robert Williams III, and the stellar play from Deni Avdija has helped them exceed expectations and be a legit playoff team. With that being said, they are playing against a 7 ‘6 freak of nature surrounded by elite guard play, and they won’t be able to stop Victor Wembanyama from having his way. Spurs in five.
3 Nuggets vs 6 Wolves: Yes, the Nuggets have Nikola Jokic, but the Wolves have Jaden McDaniels. Anthony Edwards is a star, and the Nuggets do not have a player good enough to slow him down. Denver’s defense has major gaps the Wolves can exploit, and if Rudy Gobert does just enough to slow down Jokic, the Wolves can pull off the upset. Wolves in seven.
4 Lakers vs 5 Rockets: Even with the odds stacked against them, the Lakers still have a chance to win this series. Yes, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves are injured, but the Lakers still get production from Deondre Ayton, Marcus Smart, Luke Kennard and, of course, the greatest playoff performer in league history. Yes, LeBron is 41, but this is his environment, and he is known for carrying teams on his back in the playoffs. Sorry Kevin Durant, but Amen Thompson and Alfred Sengun will not be enough to stop the King. High dive, hard drive, look alive; Lakers in five.
East Round 1:
1 Pistons vs 8 Magic: The last time a one seed lost to an 8 seed was 2023, when the Heat beat the Bucks in five due to an injured Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Pistons could keep all of their players healthy, but they are one of the weakest one-seed teams from recent history, and I see them failing to beat a hungry Magic team that has featured stellar play from Paulo Banchero, Desmond Bane and Franz Wagner. The Pistons have relied on exceptional play from Cade Cunningham during the regular season, but his collapsed lung recovery and inexperience in the playoffs will show. The Magic can do just enough with their mix of above-average players to get the upset. Magic in seven.
2 Celtics vs 7 76ers: The 76ers are a fun team to watch; VJ Edgecombe and Tyrese Maxey pack the seats, but the 76ers will lose this series for one reason only: Playoff P. The Paul George curse will strike again, and the Celtics, who are the better team, will finish the job. Celtics in six.
3 Knicks vs 6 Hawks: The Knicks are currently the most bashed playoff team, and many sports analysts are calling them frauds who have no chance at making the finals. Maybe the Knicks don’t have a chance at making the finals, but come on, they are easily better than the Hawks. Even when Jalen Brunson struggles, he is still a superstar player who has a decent playoff resume. With the combination of Karl Anthony-Towns, OG Anunoby and Josh Hart, the Knicks will be able to overpower a Jalen Johnson and CJ McCollum led Hawks. Jalen Johnson and Nickeil Alexander-Walker are having breakout years, but neither has the playoff experience of the Knicks roster, and McCollum is aging and starting to decline in performance. The Hawks are an interesting team and will challenge the Knicks, but they will not be able to stop the one-two punch combo of Brunson and Anthony-Towns. Knicks in six.
4 Cavaliers vs 5 Raptors: After trading for James Harden, the Cavaliers have become a whole different team, and the league should watch out. They mesh well together, and Donovan Mitchell is an underrated superstar who deserves more credit. As for the Raptors, Brandon Ingram is aging, and Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett just aren’t on the same level as Mitchell, Harden and Evan Mobley. The Cavs are the better team, and they have the tools to sweep the Raptors. Cavaliers in five.
