NBA Playoffs: Round One Picks and Preview

By: Garret Kryzanowski

The time has come; the NBA playoffs are finally here and they have the makings to be one of the most chaotic NBA playoffs we've seen in a long time. Most of the series are a toss up, a few not so much so lets break them down.

1. Milwaukee Bucks vs 8. Miami Heat

The season series between these teams was an even 2-2, with the home team winning all four of the games. This series pits the Milwaukee Bucks and the "Greek Freak" Giannis Antetokounmpo versus the Miami Heat and there "Heat Culture". This is one of the three series I think won't be interesting at all. Why? The Bucks are one of, if not the best team in the NBA heading into the playoffs with Antetokounmpo being arguably the best player in the league this year. Although the season series was a tie, I dont think Milwaukee will be challenged much and will take this series easily. My prediction, a 4-0 sweep for Antetokounmpo and the Bucks. For Miami, they need to hit a complete reset this offseason if they hope to be more competitive next year.

2. Boston Celtics vs 7. Atlanta Hawks

This season series was a foreshadow of what I believe will be the result in the playoffs, dominance by the Celtics who won all three matchups against the Atlanta Hawks. The Boston Celtics are being led by superstar Jayson tatum, who is fresh off a career year where he averaged 30.1 points a game. On the other side of this first round battle we see Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks. For Young and the Hawks this season, much like last year, has been up and down. After making the Conference Finals in 2021 the Hawks have been mediocre to say the least. Having to win a "play in" game to even make the playoffs this year. Even with Trae Young at his best the Boston Celtics will handle the Hawks. My prediction, a 4-1 series win for the Boston Celtics with the Hawks stealing a game due to an incredible Young performance. The Celtics move on while the Hawks underperform for the second straight year.

3. Philadelphia 76ers vs 6. Brooklyn Nets

This season series wasn't even close this year, with the Philadelphia 76ers winning all four games with such ease it was almost comical. The 76ers are led by my MVP pick Joel Embiid, who has dominated all year long. While the Brooklyn Nets are led by Ben Simmons...oh right, he is once again "hurt". To be honest the Nets are a better team without Simmons. Ever since the Kevin Durant trade the Nets have been up and down but have seen steady play from mikal Bridges, who averaged 26.1 points after joining the Nets. Sadly, I don't believe this series will be close at all with Embiid and the 76ers booking a ticket to the second round with a 4-0 series win. While the Nets get swept in the first round for the second straight year.

4. Cleveland Cavaliers vs 5. New York Knicks

The season series between these two teams was closer then the win loss columns suggest with the New York Knicks taking the series 3-1. This will be the best first round series in the eastern conference by far. It will feature a great guard battle between the Cavaliers Donovan Mitchell and the New York Knicks Jalen Brunson. How these two play will be the determining factor in who wins this series. Mitchell has been electric this year averaging 28.3 points a game, while Brunson is a finalist for the Most Improved Player award after averaging 24.0 points a game in a career year. I am going to pick the Knicks to win this series 4-2, choosing to believe in Brunson due to his playmaking ability a well as swagger the Knicks are playing with. For Cleveland they have lots to look forward to next year, as there young core gets even better.

1. Denver Nuggets vs 8. Minnesota Timberwolves

The season series between these two teams was close, with each team winning 2 of the four games. The one seeded Denver Nuggets are led by two time reigning MVP Nikola Jokic, who averaged 24.5 points a game this year. While the Timberwolves are led by young superstar Anthony Edwards who averaged 24.6 points a game this year. This series will be much closer then most one versus eight matchups we have seen in the past. The Western conference has been tighter than ever this year so anything can happen. With that being said I think the star power of the Nuggets will be a little too much for the Timberwolves. The Nuggets will win the series 4-2, while the Timberwolves get sent home in the first round for the second straight year.

2. Memphis Grizzlies vs 7. Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers took the season series versus the Memphis Grizzlies 2-1. The second seeded grizzlie sare led by Ja Morant, who despite having several off then court issues still averaged 26.2 points a game. While the Lakers are led by the NBA's all time leading scorer LeBron James who averaged 28.9 points a game. This series is interesting, you have the grizzlies with something to prove against the Lakers and LeBron James who is looking for his fifth ring. I'm taking the Lakers to win this series 4-2. The Lakers playoff experience mixed with the fact that they are one of the hottest teams in the league right now is why I'm choosing them. For the Grizzlies, they will have to hope Morant gets hisn off the court issues in check and hopefully make a deep run next year.

3. Sacramento Kings vs 6. Golden State Warriors

The Golden State warriors rook the season series 3-1 against the biggest surprise of the year in the Sacramento Kings. No one picked or even thought the Kings would be making the playoffs, let alone be the three seed but here they are and what do they get as a reward? The defending champion Golden State Warriors led by two time MVP Stephen Curry. Tough break. Now the Warriors have been historically bad on the road this year, going 11-30 on the road. However, I don't think that will matter, the Warriors have more playoff experience as a team then any team in the NBA. The Warriors will win this series 4-3, ending the cinderella season by the Kings. While the Warriors will move on, the Kings will have high hopes going into next season.

4. Phoenix Suns vs 5. Los Angeles Clippers

The Phoenix Suns and the Los Angeles Clippers split the season series 2-2. While the Phoenix Suns are led by one of the greatest scorers of all time Kevin Durant, who averaged 26.0 points a game as a Sun. While the Clippers are led by Paul George who averaged 23.8 points a game this season. To me this will be the most boring series in the Western conference. The Suns have to much star power in not only Durant but Devin Booker as well. Even though the Clipper have stars of their own I don't think they will be able to keep up with the Suns. The Suns will win this series 4-1 and move on to the second round, while the Clippers will finish another disappointing year as the second best team in Los Angeles.

The NBA playoffs are always entertaining and this year won't be any different. Were all in for some great basketball and a lot of potential upsets. Enjoy.