Yesterday NBA fans were hyped up because the most wonderful time of the year has started; the NBA playoffs. Saturday saw us get four amazing games, the most entertaining being the Timberwolves and Anthony Edwards dominating the Memphis Grizzlies. Today we get another four-game schedule that is bound to keep us thoroughly entertained.
With that being said, I wanted to take this time to make some yearly playoff predictions; more specifically, who exactly is coming out of the NBA Western Conference and moving onto the second round of the playoffs. I know that six teams have already played, but that shouldn’t be too big of a detriment in analyzing who might win the series. So without further ado, let’s jump right in and see who captures their respective series and moves onto the second round.
Jazz vs Mavericks
Never has a series been more reliant on a single player. With Luka Doncic out, and the Utah Jazz we’re able to eke out a 99-93 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday. If Doncic remains out for the remainder of the series, I really don’t see how the Mavs can top them in the series. Let’s remember that this is a Jazz team with Donovan Mitchell, Jordan Clarkson, and Rudy Gobert all healthy and playing at full force. It would be very hard for me to see any way those three let the Luka-less Mavericks slide by them into the second round. If I was a betting man, I’d put the Jazz to take the series.
However, if Luke does come back, then my perception shifts entirely, and this series heads to seven games where Luka leads a comeback for the ages and the Mavs move onto the second round.
With Luka- Mavs in 7 / Without Luka – Jazz in 5
Warriors vs Nuggets
On Saturday the Warriors proved that they still got it, and an unlikely hero came through in the clutch for the team from Dub-city. Jordan Poole was a surprise starter, and he definitely came up big in the Warriors’ first playoff game this season. Poole ended up finishing with 30 points, which lead his team, and the Warriors would end up smashing the Nuggets 123-107. Although the Warriors only won by 16, they severely dominated the Nuggets, who looked completely out of it in this game.
What I noticed from the Nuggets is that when Jokic is being stopped, then the others around him need to step up considerably, which didn’t happen yesterday. One player who really needs to have a better second game is Aaron Gordon, who finished the game with a mere 8 points. Overall, everybody around Jokic needs to be better if the Nuggets want a chance to close out this series. Personally, I don’t see that happening, and I have the Warriors coming out on top.
Warriors in 5
Timberwolves vs Grizzlies
Anthony Edwards had the performance of the day on Saturday as he led the Timberwolves with 36 points as the T-Wolves topped the Grizz by a score of 130-117. Edward’s sophomore season has been nothing short of spectacular, and yesterday he proved that he has what it takes to come through in the clutch.
Another player who had a bounce-back performance was Karl-Anthony Towns, who had a monster game with 29 points. If these two keep up their play, I don’t see how they can be taken down by the Grizzlies. Even though Ja Morant has the capability to take down teams on his own, the T-Wolves look focused and poised to complete the series win.
T-Wolves in 6
Suns vs Pelicans
Although the Pelicans were a surprising team that I would love to see advance, the Suns have way too much going for them, and I don’t see Devin Booker being outdone by Ingram and Co. Even though C.J McCollum is balling out ever since he arrived in New Orleans, the Suns are way too strong and this is going to be over quick.
Devin Booker