Western & Eastern Conference Playoff Prediction: (Second Round)
Disclaimer: First Round is already done in writing this. Game 2’s had been played in the Second Round.
Here we go my second-round prediction based on the teams I predicted that would move on for the Western and Eastern Conference.
Phoenix Suns vs Utah Jazz: Suns in 6
I had the Phoenix Suns and Utah Jazz to advance and face each other. In this series, the Phoenix Suns will be a challenged a little bit but will win the series. As I have mentioned in my Mavs-Jazz prediction, the Jazz have their core from last year intact but so do the Phoenix Suns. After their NBA Finals defeat last year, they are on a mission to get back to it and finish it with a championship this time. They have the best record in the NBA with 64-18 and will have the homecourt advantage all the way through the finals. The Jazz will protect their homecourt, but the Suns can take one. So, Suns in 6.
Memphis Grizzlies vs Golden State Warriors: Warriors in 6
The rematch of the play-in game from last year. The young Memphis Grizzlies took the win on that one but the Big 3 of the Warriors will have its revenge. Last year, it was pretty much stop Steph Curry, you stop the Warriors. Memphis is a young, up-and-coming, talented team that will be a playoff staple. But now the Splash Bros is back, and the “Strength in Numbers” mentality is back in business. The emergence of Jordan Poole and Andrew Wiggins with the playoff and championship experience of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, coach Steve Kerr and the team staff, the Warriors will take the game in 6 as it can take a game or two in Memphis.
Miami Heat vs Philadelphia 76ers: Heat in 6
I have the Miami Heat having a hard-fought seven game series with the Atlanta Hawks to advance against the Philadelphia 76ers that takes it in six games against the Toronto Raptors. As for this series, even though the Heat have to play one more game than the Sixers, the battle-tested, championship-level roster that played in the 2020 NBA Finals will win this in six games. It would be another heartbroken season for the Sixers, an Embiid MVP-type season will not be enough. The Heat is one of the balanced team in terms of defense and offense and not the team you can bully with size. Heat in 6.
Milwaukee Bucks vs Brooklyn Nets: Bucks in 7
A rematch again from second round from last year and I expect it to go a full series of seven games. Kevin Durant was just an inch away to go up against the Trae Young-led Atlanta Hawks and possibly could win it all like what Giannis did against the Phoenix Suns. Will it be payback or same old, same old. For me it will be another seven-game series with the same result as the Bucks kept most of its championship core, minus the 3 and D services of PJ Tucker. But they replaced it with another 3 and D player in Wesley Matthews. The Bucks got the game 7 win in Brooklyn, this year it will be in the Fiserv Forum and will get it done again in Game 7. Bucks in 7.
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