After a long season, the NBA playoffs are finally here. Let’s take a look at the bracket and some predictions.
Play-In
Western Conference
#7 Warriors vs #8 Grizzlies- Warriors in 1
#9 Kings vs #10 Mavericks- Mavericks in 1
Eastern Conference
#7 Magic vs #8 Hawks- Hawks in 1
#9 Bulls vs #10 Heat- Bulls in 1
Final Play-In games
Western Conference
#8 Grizzlies vs #10 Mavericks- Grizzlies in 1
Eastern Conference
#7 Magic vs #10 Heat- Magic in 1
First Round
Western Conference
#1 Thunder vs #8 Grizzlies- Thunder in 6
#2 Rockets vs #7 Warriors- Warriors in 7
#3 Lakers vs #6 Timberwolves- Lakers in 6
#4 Nuggets vs #5 Clippers- Nuggets in 6
Eastern Conference
#1 Cavaliers vs #8 Magic- Cavs in 4
#2 Celtics vs #7 Hawks- Celtics in 5
#3 Knicks vs #6 Pistons- Knicks in 6
#4 Pacers vs #5 Bucks- Pacers in 7
Conference Semifinals
Western Conference
#1 Thunder vs #4 Nuggets- Thunder in 6
#3 Lakers vs #7 Warriors- Lakers in 6
Eastern Conference
#1 Cavaliers vs #4 Pacers- Cavs in 6
#2 Celtics vs #3 Knicks- Celtics in 7
Conference Finals
Western Conference
#1 Thunder vs #3 Lakers- Lakers in 7
Eastern Conference
#1 Cavaliers vs #2 Celtics- Celtics in 6
Western Conference Finals MVP: Luka Doncic- Los Angeles Lakers
Eastern Conference Finals MVP: Jayson Tatum- Boston Celtics
NBA Finals
#3 Los Angeles Lakers vs #2 Boston Celtics- Lakers in 7
The Lakers are going back to the promised land. LeBron will be widely known and accepted as the GOAT of basketball, and Luka will have cemented his legacy in Lakers history. This is definitely a little bit of a longshot, but the well-coached Lakers team with two potential first ballot hall of famers in LeBron James and Luka Doncic will be a very hard out for any team. The Lakers aren’t just LeBron and Luka though, role players like Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, Dalton Knecht, Jaxon Hayes, and Bronny James have boosted this team through tough times. The playoffs come down to whether the best players can perform, and Luka is fresh off a postseason where he led his team to the finals without a ton of help, and don’t forget the GOAT LeBron James who could silence all the Jordan fans and win his 5th championship of his career.
NBA Finals MVP– Luka Doncic- Los Angeles Lakers
