Eastern Playoff Predictions

➚Eastern Conference Playoffs🏆

Part 2 is here. West was yesterday, East is today. I know my predictions were amazing yesterday so I’m going to do that again in this edition of the newsletter.

1. Celtics vs 8. Bulls/Heat

The Heat and Bulls have not played yet but after their first games, I am going to pick the Bulls to win. Jimmy Butler is out with an MCL injury which sucks but it is a part of the game. I think Coby White and Demar DeRozan are going to be too much for the abysmal Heat offense. This prediction is as if it is Boston vs Chicago.

The Celtics were the best team in the NBA all season long. They had a 14-game lead over the second seed in the East. To put that into perspective, the 1-10 seeds were only separated by 11 total games. Just think about it. They are miles ahead of everybody. The construction of Tatum, Jaylen, Jrue, Porzingis, and Derrick White is lethal and they are my favorite to win it all. Sorry Bulls fans, it is time to blow it up.

Official Pick: Celtics in 4

2. Knicks vs 7. 76ers

If I were a Knicks fan, I’d be pretty worried. The Sixers are only this low because of Embiid’s injury that had him sidelined for a couple of months. I do think the Knicks should still win, but it will be close. Embiid is going to cause a lot of trouble to Mitchell Robinson and Isaiah Hartenstein. If Embiid is better than he was in the play-in and Batum continues to prove why he’s in during the 4th, they could upset New York. With that being said, the best guard in the east is Jalen Brinson, one of the best shooters in the league DiVencienzo, and arguably the best wing defender in OG. New York is going to prove the doubters wrong in this series.

Official Pick: Knicks in 6

3. Bucks vs 6. Pacers

If you watched the inaugural in-season tournament, you would’ve seen Tyrese Haliburton torch the Bucks during his amazing run. If this series turns out anything like that, it will be pure cinema. Unfortunately for the Pacers, I do not think that is going to happen. Tyrese has been underwhelming this calendar year and went through a tough stretch of games shooting-wise. But, if there is anything we know, it’s that a banged-up Bucks team can be upset in the playoffs. We are unsure if Giannis will be playing in game 1 so it will be tough to win a series starting down. If Giannis plays, Bucks take it with ease, if he is out for the first few, the Pacers will advance.

Official Pick: Bucks in 6

4. Cavaliers vs 5. Magic

This is an interesting matchup and I have no idea who to pick. A lot of people are saying this is a snooze fest, but I think this is an amazing matchup. Two very good defenses. I do think that the Cavs have the advantage with veterans and shooting. the Magic are abysmal from behind the arc and I think that’s going to come back to bite them. I think Donovan Mitchell is going to prove why he’s a top 3 shooting guard in the league.

Official Pick: Cavs in 6

The East is more unpredictable than the West so I could see this being very very wrong. Hopefully, I’m right tho. I would like to see the Magic have an upset or the Pacers to advance. But in the end, the Celtics should steamroll their way to the Finals.