So some of our predictions were wrong and a few were right. But overall this has been one interesting year for the NBA and the playoffs.
Here’s a quick look at who is left and what is to come.
Eastern Conference
Milwaukee Bucks (3) def. Atlanta Hawks (5) , 2-1
Most of the NBA world had neither team winning their previous round matchup and this is perhaps a surprise for many.
The Bucks were able to *upset* the Brooklyn Nets even though they have proved that they were a top notch team in previous years. Simply put, Kevin Durant led a beat up Nets squad to nearly pull off a miracle but came up just short.
On the other side, Trae Young and his rag tag Hawks squad were able to pull off a similar upset against the 76ers.
Most people had the ECF as a Philadelphia – Brooklyn affair, but alas this is anything but that…
After 3 games, the Bucks are now the Eastern Conference favorites with a 2-1 series lead after Atlanta grabbed game 1 on the road. The Bucks have gotten clutch performances from some of their secondary stars like Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday and look like a complete team again.
Although the Hawks have played well to this point, it appears the Bucks have the advantage and maybe it is indeed “their year” and finally time for Giannis to become a champion.
Our pick: Bucks in 6
Western Conference
Phoenix Suns (2) lead LA Clippers (4), 3-1
The Suns have been this year’s “surprise” team even though they were the #2 seed in the West. With breakout performances from Devin Booker and solid play from Deandre Ayton and the rest of the bench, the Suns have taken a commanding 3-1 series lead.
Chris Paul has missed a good chunk of the series but is now back at the helm. The Clippers have also not had two-time Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard on the court and that has been a huge factor in this series.
Overall, the Suns have just been too good this post-season to bet against. The Clippers have come back from several deficits so far but the play of Booker and Paul is way too much for a team without its best player in Kawhi to overcome.
Our pick: Suns in 5
The Finals are next and we’ll be excited to bring you picks and analysis on that soon.
