NBA Playoffs Continue
Eastern Conference:
TORONTO, ON – APRIL 28: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers smiles in the final minutes of second half of Game Six of the Eastern Conference First Round against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena on April 28, 2022 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images)
Miami Heat vs Philadelphia 76ers: The number one seeded Miami Heat will play the fourth seeded Sixers. The Heat defeated the Hawks in five games and played great defense on one of the leagues rising stars in Trae Young. It took the Sixers a couple games to close out the Raptors but they got it together and closed them out in game six.
The Heat’s defense was great against Trae Young but now they face a bigger more dominant force in Joel Embiid. He will be guarded by Bam Adebayo who will be giving up a few inches but he is a great all-around defender. Against the Raptors Embiid was doubled pretty much every time he touched the ball. He will still get doubled but not as much as the Heat will put in trust in Adebayo to defend Embiid.
If Philly wants to win then Harden has to come alive. In the last stretch of the regular season and even in the games against the Raptors he has not looked like himself. He doesn’t have to be Harden from Houston but close to the harden fans witnessed when he first got to Brooklyn. The whole purpose of getting Harden in a midseason trade was to win now. He has to come alive here and so does Tobias Harris. If he can average around 15-20 points per game they will have a shot in this series.
Even with Embiid’s thumb injury he can still dominate a series. The thing that is different with these teams is defense and depth. Miami will have more enforcements and that can help them in a long series. With Victor Oladipo playing big in game 5 he is another addition to an already deep team. Miami in 7.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 25: Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets and Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics square off during the first quarter of Game Four of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs against the Boston Celtics at Barclays Center on April 25, 2022 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Boston Celtics vs Milwaukee Bucks: The Celtics had the most impressive series win this postseason so far. Sweeping the Brooklyn Nets and rattling two of the most skilled players in the league is huge and a testament to the Celtics defense and coaching. Now they move on to take on the Bucks who beat the Bulls in five without their second best player and closer in Khris Middleton.
The Bucks will need players like Grayson Allen, Jrue Holiday and Bobby Portis will need to step up to make up for the absence of Middleton. Giannis will need to dominate the game and get others involved if he can. There will be double teams coming at him and expect the Celtics to wall up when he is on the fast break.
The Celtics have two of the best two way players in the league right now in Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. The both of them took turns guarding Kevin Durant and double teaming him, expect the same treatment for Giannis. They will try to make him uncomfortable and make him give the ball up. Tatum and the Celtics will play a better defense but Tatum has become a better passer and has great shooters to rely on.
The Celtics will have too much for the Bucks especially with no Middleton. The defense will be too much and there will be too much fire power. Celtics in 6.
Western Conference
Phoenix Suns vs Dallas Mavericks: Both teams were able to close their first round series in six games. This will be an intriguing matchup between guards on both teams. Both teams had to deal with injuries to their big stars last series. Luka Doncic missed three games with a calf injury and Devin Booker missed three games with a hamstring injury.
Both teams have some of the best scorers in the game today. Booker and Doncic will be in a great battle. One thing that will make these matchups better is that both teams have good defenders. The Suns forward Mikal Bridges will most likely guard Doncic but not exclusively. He did struggle a bit on Brandon Ingram last series and the Suns sent double teams his way expect the same with Doncic. Booker will likely see Dorian Finney-Smith who can guard every position. He held Donovan Mitchell to 37.7% from the floor the last three games of their last series.
Another good matchup will be Suns center Deandre Ayton battling against the Mavs big men. They only have two in Dwight Powell and Boban Marjanovic and the both of them cannot keep up with Ayton. Not to mention the Suns also have JaVale McGee as a backup who can come in and give good minutes. The Mavs will have their hands full down there.
The Suns will have too much for the Mavs but the Mavs can take advantage. Booker is still trying to find his rhythm after his three game absence. Doncic will do everything in his power to control the game and give the Mavs the best chance to win, but the Suns will be too much. Suns in 7.
We are still awaiting the conclusion of the Memphis Grizzles and Minnesota Timberwolves series to see who will face the Golden State Warriors.
