The 2020 NBA Playoffs are coming to a T.V. screen near you this Monday and I have a breakdown of everything you need to know ahead of the championship run.
First the matchups, here are the Eastern Conference matchups with my predictions and players to watch. I will then follow it with the Western conference.
Eastern Conference
Milwaukee Bucks (1) vs. Orlando Magic (8)
Prediction: Bucks in a four game sweep.
Players to Watch: Most will say the Greek Freak or Kris Middleton but I’m going to go with Eric Bledsoe, when healthy, Bledsoe is the x-factor that really is the only guard for Milwaukee who can create and make his own shot. If he is aggressive and making his jumpshot, this won’t be a series. As for the Magic, Markelle Fultz is the key if he is aggressive, pushes the pace and makes him jumper, the Magic may be able to steal a game.
Toronto Raptors (2) vs. Brooklyn Nets (7)
Prediction: Raptors in a four game sweep.
Players to Watch: Pascal Siakam of the Raptors has to have eyes glued on him as this will be the first time he will be Toronto’s star player heading into the playoffs, after years or Kyle Lowry, Demar DeRozan and last season Kawhi Leonard, Siakam is the six’s best overall player and he for haters to see that the Raptors are contenders Spicy P has to dominate and show consistency this series. As for the Nets, everything starts and ends with Caris Lavert and he is quite a talent but I’m going to go left field and say Joe Harris. The former Virginia Cavalier is a knock-down shooter reigning in 42% of his threes and for the Nets to have any shot at a dub they will need Harris to make treys and expand the floor for Brooklyn.
Boston Celtics (3) vs. Philly 76ers (6)
Prediction: Celtics in a gentleman’s sweep winning 4-1 over the 76ers.
Players to Watch: It is unquestionably Kemba Walker for the Celtics. Entering his first year with Boston, the former long-time Charlotte Hornet will be making the playoffs for the first time since 2016. It is imperative that he is aggressive, shooting the three-ball and healthy along with oft-injured other members like Marcus Smart and Gordon Hayward if Boston wants to reach the finals. For the 76ers, their season is all but lost but this series may alleviate the question for Philly’s future should they keep Ben Simmons or Joel Embiid. If Embiid can show out and dominate on both sides of the ball averaging 30 and 12 then the 76ers can move towards a new chapter knowing her their foundational piece will be.
Indiana Pacers (4) vs. Miami Heat (5)
Prediction: Heat in a 4-2 series win over the Pacers.
Players to Watch: Gosh this has the makings of being a fantastic series..Jimmy Butler of the Heat versus T.J. Warren of the Pacers will understandably get all of the attention but my x-factors are two different players. For the Heat, Bam Adebayo and for Indiana, it has to be Mylers Turner. Adebayo a candidate for the NBA’s most improved player averaging a double-double with 16-points, 10-boards and five assists and one of the NBA’s best athletic young forwards whereas Turner, though consistency has never been his strong suit has been dominant in the bubble averaging 14-points, 6.7-boards and nine three’s made during the seven-game stretch. The battle of the bigs will determine how far this series goes.
Western Conference
Los Angeles Lakers (1) vs. Portland Trailblazers (8)
Prediction: Lakers in a gentleman’s sweep 4-1 over the Blazers
Players to Watch: Understandably, lots of analysts have this as a potential six-to-seven game series, I do not for one reason: health. The most important player for the Blazers is unquestionably, C.J. McCollumn. The former Lehigh guard has been prolific as always but was revealed to be playing with a fractured back. Portland knows what they will get in superstar Dame Dolla Lillard but if McCollumn can stay consistent and pour 24+ a game, the Blazers could very well pull off the upset. As for the Lakers, playoff Lebron will be doing his thing but Anthony Davis has to be the lead horse, particularly in the fourth quarter where he tends to go missing. For the Lakers to capture a Title, AD must dominate averaging 28+, 12+ and 3 blocks each and every game.
Los Angeles Clippers (2) vs. Dallas Mavericks (7)
Prediction: Clippers in a four-game sweep.
Players to Watch: The Clipper have been at full-strength health-wise about 10 times the whole season but this series they will finally be just that with Trez Harrell returning to the bench. Harrell is unquestionably the NBA’s best seventh-man bringing energy, athleticism and tenacity averaging 18.7-points and 7.1-boards. He has yet to play in the bubble but if he comes back strong, the Mavs have no chance. As for Dallas, Kristaps Porzingis has been quietly dominant in the bubble averaging 30.5-points, 6.8-boards connecting on 16 three’s through six games. If he can continue his dominance and Luka Doncic can take a step in the right direction defensively, Dallas could steal a game or two in the series.
Denver Nuggets (3) vs. Utah Jazz (6)
Prediction: Nuggets in a gentleman’s sweep (4-1) over the Jazz.
Players to Watch: The Jazz are hanging by a thread with Mike Conley Jr. leaving the bubble to attend to a family matter leaving Utah pencil thin; the onus will all be on the shoulders of Donovan Mitchell. Can he take the next step and show some consistency each game? This will be the key to the development of Jazz toward the future. As for Denver, they too are hampered with injuries to Jamal Murray, Gary Barton and others so Michael Porter Jr. will be huge for the Nuggets if he continues to provide depth and scoring along with the likes of The Joker, Bol Bol and the other bigs this will be a quick and painless series for Mike Malone’s crew.
Houston Rockets (4) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (5)
Prediction: The Rockets win 4-3 in a seven-game series over the Thunder.
Players to Watch: This looks to be the most intriguing matchup of the first-round with two well-coaches, well-run offenses. The most important player for the Thunder is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander who’s been averaging 16-per-contest for OKC. Chris Paul will undoubtedly bring it every night, so will Steven Adams and sharp-shooter Gallinari but if Shai is aggressive, breaking down defenses through the fast break and getting to the free-throw line, the Thunder will be tough to beat. The Rockets have taken a big blow with Russell Westbrook’s injury but the pressure is and will always be on James Harden until he proves that he can perform well in the playoffs. The every annually qualified NBA-MVP performer is nearly unstoppable in the regular season but must demonstrate consistency, soundness and better decision-making for the small-ball Rockets to advance.
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