With the end of the seasons rocketing too us like a freight train. I wanted to look at the standings and predict potential 1^st round match ups and who will advance.

 

Let’s start in the West. The stronger of the 2 divisions due to its depth. However, The East boast just as many top end teams as The West.

 

The West has a clear-cut leader. The Portland Trailblazers. That famous 33 game win streak set them up to play around with some trades (maybe too many). They are settled now and look great again. As it stands, the Dallas Mavericks own the 8^th seed. That could obviously change. Memphis and Utah will both like their chances. The Rockets are on a tear recently. As shown by their 3^rd place standing in the most recent Power Rankings, however they might be too far back. Dallas just had a huge win over the Suns and I think I’m going to back them into hold onto 8^th. Their reward? Getting Swept by Harden and The Blazers. Anyone from 5^th down in the West and probably 3^rd down in the East would most likely get swept, so Don’t take it personally. These Blazers just look too good. Portland Sweep Dallas.

 

The Suns are slated to face the Warriors. This one is all but locked in. This could be a fun matchup. According to The Warriors GM, his side is the greatest thing since sliced bread, and they must be close to a cure for Corona? Hats off to Clay though, he has turned this side around. However Suns will be to strong and win in 6.

 

The Clippers vs Lakers looks locked in too, I think The Spurs can hold onto 5th. The battle of Staples. This will be fun. The Lakers look amazing with PJ at the Helm. Having said that, The Lakers would be better off with a actual potato at the helm rather than Greeny. Call me crazy but I think The Lakers can win this. I have never seen a more on man team than these Clips. Giannis is doing all he can and it seems like no one else is trying. Westbrook is dominating too. He is playing like a Point God. Can some mishmash combo of Morris, Harris and Haslem stop Giannis? Probably not. But I still think The Lakers cause the first boil over of the playoffs and win in 7.

 

To Close out the First Round, The Kings will take home court advantage into a series with The Spurs. Nelson lol, all that yap and he has finished 5^th. Loser. Anyway, this will be a fun series. The Spurs have made a lot of changes. Can they find their chemistry and best ball by the time this series starts. This writer is definitely hoping not. I hate Nelson and everything he stands for. Speaking of One Man teams, have you me The Kings? Lebron is balling out and carrying this squad of what look like actual potatoes. Nah that’s harsh, but they are relying on Lebron. And I think he gets it done in 6. Hopefully 4, Fuck you Nelson.

 

 The East.

 

The Bulls, Like the Blazers are locked in and awaiting their live kill. This could be messy. Even more so than 1v8 in the West. Merencio (god bless that man) could be playing a team 12 games below .500 in the playoffs. Crazy. Who will it be? God knows, every team in the mix keeps losing. Philly last 10 2-8, Hornets 4-6, Brooklyn 3-7, Magic 4-6. Honestly not one of these teams deserves to make the playoffs, but one has to. I still think The Magic can do it, behind Ice Trae. Just gotta get the ball out of Wiggins hands. Philly or Magic for mine. Won’t matter. I predict Bulls win all four games by over 25 points.

 

Atlanta Will play the Wiz. As much as I want the Raptors to Finish 2^nd. I think the Hawks get it. The Wizards are playing as well as anyone at the moment, they look great and have beaten the Bulls and The Raptors in the last few games. They are dangerous. If The Hawks can stop Booker they will win, I think they can. Just. The Wizards will win 2 games. Hawks in 6.

 

The Raptors will face Detroit. Great Match up. Despite the Loss of Kyrie, Sheed has got it back on track and they look awesome. Only last week they absolutely embarrassed Toronto. Dominating the Boards. This is something that will need to be cleaned up for The Raptors. Toronto’s strength lies in the fact that Lillard is 45 times better than Dragic. He will need to show it. I am worried for Toronto in this one. But I back Vooch and Bryant and Wood to work out the Glass and Dame to do the rest. Raptors in 7.

 

Miami and Cleveland. This could also be Miami v Raptors or Atlanta v Cleveland or Miami v Atlanta. Who knows. The battle is so tight in the east. Lets go with pistol v Dylan. I haven’t looked as to when Simmons and Isaac are back, I will look now. Bear with me. Simmons is back next week, that’s huge for the raptors. Lucky too probably, as most thought this back thing might bother him all season. Isaac is TBD for playoffs too, again, potentially lucky as he was out for the Magics NBA season. So now I am tipping pistol in 5 games. Cavs have made great strides this year under a rookie GM and they will be great next season.

 

There you have it. Every Playoff match up predicted. It is pretty tight still with 6 games to go, so it could all change and this will be totally redundant. Like me at my former job. Fuck you Corona. Good luck everyone.

 

 

Blazers    4

Dallas       0

 

 

Suns        4

Warriors  2

 

Clippers  3

Lakers  4

 

Kings   4

Spurs   2

 

Bulls 4

Magic 0

 

Hawks 4

Wizards 2

 

Raptors 4

Pistons 3

 

Heat 4

Cavs 1