Playoff Prediction Thread

[Birdman]

Heat over 76ers in 5
Celtics over Bucks in 6
Warriors over Memphis in 6
Suns over Mavs in 6

[Phantom255x]

Okay, here's mine. It's actually somewhat similar to what @SparzWizard has right above me^

East First-Rounds:
1. Miami vs 8. Atlanta - Miami in 6
2. Boston vs 7. Brooklyn - Boston in 6 
3. Milwaukee vs 6. Chicago - Milwaukee in 4
4. Philadelphia vs 5. Toronto - Philadelphia in 7

East Semis:
1. Miami vs 4. Philadelphia - Philadelphia in 6
2. Boston vs 3. Milwaukee - Boston in 7 (home court will come clutch here)

East Finals:
2. Boston vs 4. Philadelphia - Boston in 6

West First-Rounds:
1. Phoenix vs 8. New Orleans - Phoenix in 5
2. Memphis vs 7. Minnesota - Memphis in 6
3. Golden State vs 6. Denver - Golden State in 6
4. Dallas vs 5. Utah - Utah in 6 (assuming Doncic is out for some time, but it'll be extremely tough for DAL if he misses the first 3 or even 4 games)

West Semis:
1. Phoenix vs 5. Utah - Phoenix in 5
2. Memphis vs Golden State - Golden State in 6

West Finals:
1. Phoenix vs Golden State - Phoenix in 6

NBA Finals:
1. Phoenix vs 2. Boston - Boston in 6  (Tatum Finals MVP)

I got the C's going all the way. I believe in them and I'm going for it here. Probably the first time since being on this blog (which has dated back to I think 2014) that I've actually predicted heading into the playoffs the C's go all the way and win it all. A few of those years though they unfortunately had gone in with key injuries so that sucked. Pray for no injuries and for Timelord to come back fairly soon

So outside of Utah-Dallas, got everything else right for the 1st round. But yeah like others have said, injuries are really affecting things and could change the landscape a bit.

I'm going to say for Round 2:

Celtics > Bucks in 7
Warriors > Grizzlies in 6
Suns > Mavericks in 6
Heat > Sixers in 5 IF Embiid is ruled out for the whole series

*My Heat-Sixers prediction is subject to change depending on what they say about Embiid and his timetable either today or tomorrow
 

[colincb]

Zach Lowe in his in-depth ESPN+ review of the series:

Even with Middleton available from the jump, I'd lean to Boston in a long series. Without him, it's Boston in six.

https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/33827377/lowe-why-milwaukee-bucks-need-absolute-peak-giannis-antetokounmpo-defeat-boston-celtics

[jpotter33]

Said it in another thread, but will repeat here.

If both (a) we're completely healthy with Brown and Timelord both being good, AND (b) Middleton is out for the entire series, I think we can take this in 5. We should hold court at home the first two games, with one being an easier, larger margin type win and another one close. I then expect two close games at Milwaukee, with Giannis putting the team on his back and winning one of the two games by himself with us taking the other. I then could see a close closeout game at home where we finish things off, though could easily go back to Milwaukee for 6, too.

[Roy H.]

Miami in 5
Nets in 8
Warriors in 6
Suns in 6

[Phantom255x]

Miami in 5
Nets in 8
Warriors in 6
Suns in 6

But what happens if the series is 4-4 after 8 games? 

[slamtheking]

Miami in 5
Nets in 8
Warriors in 6
Suns in 6

obviously predicting Nets win it in Ben's return to the court 

[Phantom255x]

Miami in 5
Nets in 8
Warriors in 6
Suns in 6

obviously predicting Nets win it in Ben's return to the court

Oh he's ready as this "reliable source" says 

https://www.theonion.com/ben-simmons-tells-nets-he-ready-to-play-now-1848855110

[SparzWizard]

Alright, looks like the playoffs begin tomorrow!

East First-Rounds:
1. Miami vs 8. Atlanta - Miami in 6
2. Boston vs 7. Brooklyn - Boston in 7
3. Milwaukee vs 6. Chicago - Milwaukee in 4
4. Philadelphia vs 5. Toronto - Philadelphia in 7

East Semis:
1. Miami vs 4. Philadelphia - Philadelphia in 6
2. Boston vs 3. Milwaukee - Boston in 7

East Finals:
2. Boston vs 4. Philadelphia - Boston in 6

West First-Rounds:
1. Phoenix vs 8. New Orleans - Phoenix in 5
2. Memphis vs 7. Minnesota - Memphis in 7
3. Golden State vs 6. Denver - Denver in 6
4. Dallas vs 5. Utah - Utah in 6

West Semis:
1. Phoenix vs 5. Utah - Phoenix in 4
2. Memphis vs 6. Denver - Denver in 6

West Finals:
1. Phoenix vs 6. Denver - Phoenix in 5

NBA Finals:
1. Phoenix vs 2. Boston - Boston in 6

Boston Celtics win NBA Championship and raise Banner #18. 

Nailed the 1v4, 2v3 in the East in terms of advancements.

I thought there'd be upsets in the West in the opening rounds, but looks like not this year.

West Semis:
1. Phoenix vs 4. Dallas - Phoenix in 6
2. Memphis vs 3. Golden State - Golden State in 4

East Semis (revised):
1. Miami vs 4. Philadelphia - Miami in 5 (if no Embiid)
2. Boston vs 3. Milwaukee - Boston in 6 (with Khris Middleton out)

[Moranis]

Injuries playing a factor so predictions changing

East

Heat over Sixers in 5
Celtics over Bucks in 7

Celtics over Heat in 6


West

Warriors over Grizzlies in 5
Mavs over Suns in 6

Mavs over Warriors in 6


Finals

Celtics over Mavs in 6

If the Mavs pull this one out, I will have gotten all the winners correct, with the C's being the correct games.

[Phantom255x]

Okay, here's mine. It's actually somewhat similar to what @SparzWizard has right above me^

East First-Rounds:
1. Miami vs 8. Atlanta - Miami in 6
2. Boston vs 7. Brooklyn - Boston in 6 
3. Milwaukee vs 6. Chicago - Milwaukee in 4
4. Philadelphia vs 5. Toronto - Philadelphia in 7

East Semis:
1. Miami vs 4. Philadelphia - Philadelphia in 6
2. Boston vs 3. Milwaukee - Boston in 7 (home court will come clutch here)

East Finals:
2. Boston vs 4. Philadelphia - Boston in 6

West First-Rounds:
1. Phoenix vs 8. New Orleans - Phoenix in 5
2. Memphis vs 7. Minnesota - Memphis in 6
3. Golden State vs 6. Denver - Golden State in 6
4. Dallas vs 5. Utah - Utah in 6 (assuming Doncic is out for some time, but it'll be extremely tough for DAL if he misses the first 3 or even 4 games)

West Semis:
1. Phoenix vs 5. Utah - Phoenix in 5
2. Memphis vs Golden State - Golden State in 6

West Finals:
1. Phoenix vs Golden State - Phoenix in 6

NBA Finals:
1. Phoenix vs 2. Boston - Boston in 6  (Tatum Finals MVP)

I got the C's going all the way. I believe in them and I'm going for it here. Probably the first time since being on this blog (which has dated back to I think 2014) that I've actually predicted heading into the playoffs the C's go all the way and win it all. A few of those years though they unfortunately had gone in with key injuries so that sucked. Pray for no injuries and for Timelord to come back fairly soon

So outside of Utah-Dallas, got everything else right for the 1st round. But yeah like others have said, injuries are really affecting things and could change the landscape a bit.

I'm going to say for Round 2:

Celtics > Bucks in 7
Warriors > Grizzlies in 6
Suns > Mavericks in 6
Heat > Sixers in 5 IF Embiid is ruled out for the whole series

*My Heat-Sixers prediction is subject to change depending on what they say about Embiid and his timetable either today or tomorrow

Got the first two spot on. Heat won in 6 games instead of 5 which to be fair was probably because Embiid actually gutted it out and played.

I'll admit I really didn't think Phoenix vs. Dallas would go 7 games but I still feel good about Phoenix advancing.

[Phantom255x]

Okay, here's mine. It's actually somewhat similar to what @SparzWizard has right above me^

East First-Rounds:
1. Miami vs 8. Atlanta - Miami in 6
2. Boston vs 7. Brooklyn - Boston in 6 
3. Milwaukee vs 6. Chicago - Milwaukee in 4
4. Philadelphia vs 5. Toronto - Philadelphia in 7

East Semis:
1. Miami vs 4. Philadelphia - Philadelphia in 6
2. Boston vs 3. Milwaukee - Boston in 7 (home court will come clutch here)

East Finals:
2. Boston vs 4. Philadelphia - Boston in 6

West First-Rounds:
1. Phoenix vs 8. New Orleans - Phoenix in 5
2. Memphis vs 7. Minnesota - Memphis in 6
3. Golden State vs 6. Denver - Golden State in 6
4. Dallas vs 5. Utah - Utah in 6 (assuming Doncic is out for some time, but it'll be extremely tough for DAL if he misses the first 3 or even 4 games)

West Semis:
1. Phoenix vs 5. Utah - Phoenix in 5
2. Memphis vs Golden State - Golden State in 6

West Finals:
1. Phoenix vs Golden State - Phoenix in 6

NBA Finals:
1. Phoenix vs 2. Boston - Boston in 6  (Tatum Finals MVP)

I got the C's going all the way. I believe in them and I'm going for it here. Probably the first time since being on this blog (which has dated back to I think 2014) that I've actually predicted heading into the playoffs the C's go all the way and win it all. A few of those years though they unfortunately had gone in with key injuries so that sucked. Pray for no injuries and for Timelord to come back fairly soon

So outside of Utah-Dallas, got everything else right for the 1st round. But yeah like others have said, injuries are really affecting things and could change the landscape a bit.

I'm going to say for Round 2:

Celtics > Bucks in 7
Warriors > Grizzlies in 6
Suns > Mavericks in 6
Heat > Sixers in 5 IF Embiid is ruled out for the whole series

*My Heat-Sixers prediction is subject to change depending on what they say about Embiid and his timetable either today or tomorrow

Got the first two spot on. Heat won in 6 games instead of 5 which to be fair was probably because Embiid actually gutted it out and played.

I'll admit I really didn't think Phoenix vs. Dallas would go 7 games but I still feel good about Phoenix advancing.

Lol never mind. What an atrocious Game 7 by Phoenix.

My predictions for next round:

Celtics > Heat in 6
Warriors > Mavericks in 6

[SparzWizard]

Alright, looks like the playoffs begin tomorrow!

East First-Rounds:
1. Miami vs 8. Atlanta - Miami in 6
2. Boston vs 7. Brooklyn - Boston in 7
3. Milwaukee vs 6. Chicago - Milwaukee in 4
4. Philadelphia vs 5. Toronto - Philadelphia in 7

East Semis:
1. Miami vs 4. Philadelphia - Philadelphia in 6
2. Boston vs 3. Milwaukee - Boston in 7

East Finals:
2. Boston vs 4. Philadelphia - Boston in 6

West First-Rounds:
1. Phoenix vs 8. New Orleans - Phoenix in 5
2. Memphis vs 7. Minnesota - Memphis in 7
3. Golden State vs 6. Denver - Denver in 6
4. Dallas vs 5. Utah - Utah in 6

West Semis:
1. Phoenix vs 5. Utah - Phoenix in 4
2. Memphis vs 6. Denver - Denver in 6

West Finals:
1. Phoenix vs 6. Denver - Phoenix in 5

NBA Finals:
1. Phoenix vs 2. Boston - Boston in 6

Boston Celtics win NBA Championship and raise Banner #18. 

Nailed the 1v4, 2v3 in the East in terms of advancements.

I thought there'd be upsets in the West in the opening rounds, but looks like not this year.

West Semis:
1. Phoenix vs 4. Dallas - Phoenix in 6
2. Memphis vs 3. Golden State - Golden State in 4

East Semis (revised):
1. Miami vs 4. Philadelphia - Miami in 5 (if no Embiid)
2. Boston vs 3. Milwaukee - Boston in 6 (with Khris Middleton out)

What a long way we've come. Slightly off, but still did have Celtics winning NBA Finals!

C's in 6 

[Phantom255x]

Okay, here's mine. It's actually somewhat similar to what @SparzWizard has right above me^

East First-Rounds:
1. Miami vs 8. Atlanta - Miami in 6
2. Boston vs 7. Brooklyn - Boston in 6 
3. Milwaukee vs 6. Chicago - Milwaukee in 4
4. Philadelphia vs 5. Toronto - Philadelphia in 7

East Semis:
1. Miami vs 4. Philadelphia - Philadelphia in 6
2. Boston vs 3. Milwaukee - Boston in 7 (home court will come clutch here)

East Finals:
2. Boston vs 4. Philadelphia - Boston in 6

West First-Rounds:
1. Phoenix vs 8. New Orleans - Phoenix in 5
2. Memphis vs 7. Minnesota - Memphis in 6
3. Golden State vs 6. Denver - Golden State in 6
4. Dallas vs 5. Utah - Utah in 6 (assuming Doncic is out for some time, but it'll be extremely tough for DAL if he misses the first 3 or even 4 games)

West Semis:
1. Phoenix vs 5. Utah - Phoenix in 5
2. Memphis vs Golden State - Golden State in 6

West Finals:
1. Phoenix vs Golden State - Phoenix in 6

NBA Finals:
1. Phoenix vs 2. Boston - Boston in 6  (Tatum Finals MVP)

I got the C's going all the way. I believe in them and I'm going for it here. Probably the first time since being on this blog (which has dated back to I think 2014) that I've actually predicted heading into the playoffs the C's go all the way and win it all. A few of those years though they unfortunately had gone in with key injuries so that sucked. Pray for no injuries and for Timelord to come back fairly soon

So outside of Utah-Dallas, got everything else right for the 1st round. But yeah like others have said, injuries are really affecting things and could change the landscape a bit.

I'm going to say for Round 2:

Celtics > Bucks in 7
Warriors > Grizzlies in 6
Suns > Mavericks in 6
Heat > Sixers in 5 IF Embiid is ruled out for the whole series

*My Heat-Sixers prediction is subject to change depending on what they say about Embiid and his timetable either today or tomorrow

Got the first two spot on. Heat won in 6 games instead of 5 which to be fair was probably because Embiid actually gutted it out and played.

I'll admit I really didn't think Phoenix vs. Dallas would go 7 games but I still feel good about Phoenix advancing.

Lol never mind. What an atrocious Game 7 by Phoenix.

My predictions for next round:

Celtics > Heat in 6
Warriors > Mavericks in 6

Looking back at mine, not too shabby overall. Said C's in 6 in the Finals and sticking with it