The NBA playoffs are here, and I’m hyped. I am here today to make my NBA playoff predictions. This may take awhile, so buckle up.

Here are my first round predictions: In the East, I have the Bucks beating the Heat in 6. The Bucks are better than the Heat, but Giannis’s injury is a concern. Next, I have the Celtics beating the Hawks in 4. I think that the Celtics will dominate this series due to their defense and the fact that the Hawks aren’t that good. After that, I have the 76ers beating the Nets in 4. I think that the Nets are a fluke and that the 76ers will own them. Finally, I have the Cavs beating the Knicks in 7. This will be a competitive series, but ultimately the Cavs have the better and more experienced players. These are my 1st round Eastern Conference predictions.

For the West, I have the Nuggets beating the Timberwolves in 5. The Nuggets have more rest and more playoff experience. Next, I have the Lakers beating the Grizzlies in 6. When LeBron and A.D. are cooking, it’s hard to stop the Lakers. Plus, the Grizzlies are missing Steven Adams and Brandon Clarke, 2 of their big guys, meaning A.D. will have a feast in the paint. After that, I have the Kings beating the Warriors in 7. This will be an offense-only series, and I think that the younger and the more energetic Kings will put the Warriors out in the first round. Finally, I have the Suns beating the Clippers in 6. It will be tough for the Clippers to beat the Suns without Paul George, so the Suns will go out and handle the Clippers.

For the Second Round, I have the Bucks beating the Cavs in 7. The Cavs will give the Bucks trouble, but the Bucks are just too good to get second-rounded. To wrap up the East, I have the Celtics beating the 76ers in 6. The Celtics have owned the 76ers in recent memory, but I will give props to the 76ers on their great year by saying that they will take the Celtics to 6 games. But ultimately, after it’s all said and done, Joel Embiid will still hold the Title as the best player to never reach a Conference Finals. For the West, I have the Suns beating the Nuggets in 7. The Nuggets will put up a fight, but ultimately the Suns are too good, and Nikola Jokic will still be the most overrated player in the league. To finish it all off, I have the Lakers beating the Kings in 6. The Kings run will end here, and LeBron will be headed back to yet another Conference Finals. 

For the Conference Finals, I have the Celtics beating the Bucks in 6. The Celtics just have too many players and the Bucks won’t be able to guard them. The Celtics will shoot the lights out and cruise to a second straight title appearance. For the West, I have the Lakers beating the Suns in 7. This will be a brutal series with multiple old ballers falling and getting hurt, but the Lakers’ depth will prevail as they will move on to try and win their 16th title. 

Finally, the NBA Finals. This will be a tough matchup, but ultimately I have the Celtics winning in 6. The Lakers will have fallen apart physically and won’t match up well against the length and shooting ability of the Celtics. The Finals MVP will be Jayson Tatum, and the Celtics will win their 17 championship.