NBA Round Two: Picks and Preview

By: Garret Kryzanowski

As I write this the the second round of the NBA playoffs have begun. I assure you my picks and predictions will not waver with the results that have already transpired in round two. I correctly predicted seven of the eight teams in round two, so I trust my picks this time. The NBA playoffs have lived up and even exceeded the hype, so without further ado, lets see whose advancing to the Conference Finals.

2. Boston Celtics vs 3. Philadelphia 76ers

This was a series that everyone saw coming when the playoffs started, it seems like every year the Celtics take on the 76ers in the playoffs. The outcome, usually the Boston Celtics. The previously mentioned Celtics won the season series three games to one and are being led once again by Jayson Tatum, there young superstar. In the first round the Celtics played with there food a little bit, taking longer to eliminate the Hawks than anyone expected, winning the series 4-2. Now, the Philadelphia 76ers took care of business quickly and dominantly, sweeping the Brooklyn Nets 4-0. The one downside, there best player and potential MVP Joel Embiid hurt his knee. He is going to be back for the series but will he be the same? I don't think so. My pick, Celtics win the series 4-2, once again sending the 76ers home early.

5. New York Knicks vs 8. Miami Heat

This was a series I don't think anyone saw coming, myself included. I had the fifth seeded Knicks beating the Cleveland Cavaliers and making the second round. Now, the Knicks did it in a much more convincing fashion then expected winning the series 4-1. The Miami Heat are where everything turned upside down. They beat the best team in the league in the Milwaukee Bucks 4-1, and it was never a close series. Leading us to the most improbable matchup of the second round. In the regular season series it was the New York Knicks winning the season series three games to one. This playoff series will be much the same, Jalen Brunson and the energy of Madison Square Garden will be the catalyst that leads the Knicks to their first conference finals since 1999. For the Heat, congratulations you overachieved in the playoffs after underachieving in the regular season, well done.

1. Denver Nuggets vs 4. Phoenix Suns

Once again this was a series that the entire world saw coming. The Denver Nuggets took care of business quickly in the first round, beating the Minnesota Timberwolves 4-1, leaning on the play of their dynamic duo; Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. Now, there opponent in the Phoenix Suns is arguably the most underseeded team in the NBA playoffs. Why? Because they traded for Kevin Durant later in the season and he is arguably the best scorer of all time. This series will be phenomenal. The season series was won by the Nuggets three games to one, however, the three Nuggets wins were before Durant arrived in Phoenix. To me this series is a coin flip. I am going to take the Suns winning this series 4-3. It will be tough and high scoring. For the Suns, I think they will be playing in the NBA finals, for the Nuggets, maybe next year is your year? Maybe, but probably not, enjoy the offseason Denver.

6. Golden State Warriors vs 7. Los Angeles Lakers

This series was both the biggest wildcard prediction and to the eyes of many the most likely. Why? Two of the greatest players of all time lead their perspective teams. For the Golden State Warriors it is two-time MVP and the greatest three point shooter of all time, Steph Curry. For the Los Angeles Lakers it is the greatest player the NBA has ever seen, LeBron James. These two superstars have played in four NBA finals, with Curry holding the edge 3-1 in those series. This time however it will be James and his Lakers who are victorious. The Lakers have been the best team in the NBA since the trade deadline. James will lead the Lakers to a 4-2 series victory, while the Warriors will fall short of repeating as champions.

These have been the most outrageous and unpredictable NBA playoffs we have seen in a long time. The sport that was once shamed for the lack of parody now seemingly has more parody then any other sport. All I can say is enjoy round two and all the action that comes with it.