2018-2019 NBA Playoff Predictions Round 1

One more time I will balance these predictions with my doc program. Almost there, all further posts will have far more sarcasm and wit. One of my life goals is a perfect post season prediction run, so….gotta play to win even if it is short.

Okay, here we go for round 1:

East:

1. Bucks over 8. Pistons in 4 games

-Bucks are a little shorthanded, but if the Pistons are missing Blake, that’s a bit more than shorthanded. Bucks will roll this.

2. Raps over 7. Magic in 4 games

-Raps are going to unleash everyone and absolutely roll the Magic. Nice season by Vuc, but that’s about it.  

3. Sixers over 6. Nets in 6 games

-This is going to go longer than people think. I am a little nervous about the Sixers’ bench and depth, but that will even out in the playoffs. Still, nice task for the Nets to build around.

4. Celts over 5. Pacers in 5 games

-The Pacers have been a great story, but have been at .500 since the Oladipo injury and even an uneven Celts team has just an overwhelming talent advantage.

West:

1. Warriors over 8. Clips in 5 games

-Warriors are just so much better. I am giving the Clips a game out of respect for their season and feistiness, but the talent difference is overwhelming.  

2. Nuggets over 7. Spurs in 5 games

-Spurs are again a fun story, but the Nuggets have been the second-best West team all year and will score fairly easily against them. Time for the Nuggets to rise, and I am so excited for playoffs Jokic.

3. Blazers over 6. Thunder in 5 games

-Nurk is out and CJ just coming back, but I don’t believe in RW being at the same level and Paul George is hurting and may not even play Game 1. The Thunder are just too easy to scheme against in a series.

4. Rockets over 5. Jazz in 6 games

-I am supremely tempted to take the Jazz here, and would if they have drawn the Thunder, Spurs, or Blazers. Unfortunately they end up here at the 4/5, and get Harden. Rockets are not as good as last year, but its close and Harden may be even better. Rubio and Exum’s absences are super important in a close series.