NBA 17-18 Round 2

You know what isn’t good? When Round 2 starts before Round 1 does. That doesn’t help me get predictions done for the round. Also what doesn’t help? Your final spring class ending on the same weekend as the turnover of the rounds. However, I don’t really feel bad about making predictions for series that already have results. Mainly because, most the readers of this know my thoughts already on who is going to win or not, and also, because as much as I am going to pick some teams who did win their Round 1 game (Dubs) I will be picking against others (Celts).

Round 2, let’s go.

East:

1. Raps over 4. Cavs in 5 games

-Okay, here we go. Am I going to pick against Lebron when he is playing Toronto, or when the guys guarding him are 24 and 20 years old respectively (Siakam and OG)? Yeah, I think I am. Toronto is just crazy deeper, younger, and more enthused everywhere else on the roster. Maybe Love has an advantage over Serge, but not by much and not based on that first round. DeRozan could have a big series, and this a chance for playoff-challenged Kyle Lowry to take advantage of a great matchup versus whoever is out there for Cleveland at PG.

3. Sixers over 2. Celts in 6 games

-Nice game one win, amazing they did that without Brown (+Kyrie, +Hayward, +Theis). Value of a coach is still really high, and also having versatile, young, long defenders. Tatum is getting so much golden experience. But it can’t last, the Sixers can’t be that bad again. They will take lessons from this and also will get a huge boost at home. Respect to my boy Horford, but it won’t be enough.

West:

1. Rockets over 5. Jazz in 4 games

-Respect to the Jazz and their defense. But this series will just show how badly the Thunder were overall by comparison. This won’t be close. The Jazz just can’t score with the Rockets. The Rubio loss is tough, but ultimately, I’m not sure it will really matter.

2. Dubs over 6. Pelicans in 5 games

-Maybe one home win for New Orleans, on a big AD game, but they just don’t have enough even without Curry. Golden State should actually control its Curry usage and just warm him up for the Western Finals. That’s going to be a great show.