Second Round Predictions

Second Round Predictions

Nuggets vs. Timberwolves. Nuggets win in 7.

This is about to be a legendary match-up. On the level of Batman vs. Superman, King Kong vs. Godzilla, or Muhammad Ali vs. George Foreman, Nikola Jokic has been one of the greatest centers to ever play. The way he can get his shots off and make the right passes. Watching him play against the Lakers, it felt like he controlled the game. Even when he could not get it going, it seemed like it could not bother him. Nikola is one of the greatest offensive players of all time. Jamal Murray continues to be a play-off riser. The way he hit two game-winners in games 2 and 5 was legendary. Adding to his resume. The way he can take the pressure away from Jokic and close off the game. KCP, Aaron Gordon, and Michael Porter Jr. have been perfect off-ball players. The way that KCP and MPJ can hit some spot-up 3s along with Gordon, who can cut to the basket, The Nuggets have the best starting five in the league. But this series is all about the bench. Players like Bruce Brown and Jeff Green are no longer on the team. Young players like Christian Braun and Peyton Watson have a chance. They could become well-known. This series gives young players a chance to shine. The Nuggets and Timberwolves could be a fun series in this year's playoffs.

The Minnesota Timberwolves match up the best against the Denver Nuggets. Rudy Gobert is the best center in the league to match up against Jokic. The way he protected the rim against the sun was generational. The Suns had to earn their shots at the rim against him. Karl Anthony Towns continues to be an All-Star-level player. The way he can stretch the floor and post up. Finally, he has a squad where he can compete against the top teams. Jaden McDaniels was an incredible two-way player against Kevin Durant. He made KD earn every shot against him. Anthony Edwards is one of the best players in the league. He is soon going to be the MVP of the league. The way he was able to dethrone Kevin Durant in four games was a work of cinema. Edwards continues to be one of the of the elite on both ends of the floor. Mike Conley is a veteran who seems to never age. He continues to be a great floor general for the Wolves. But like the Nuggets, the depth of the Timberwolves needs to shine. Naz Reid is one of the best six men in the league. He is the spark that Minnesota needs every night. He is an offensive monster. Along with Nickel Alexander Walker, who was a great two-way player against the Suns. Those two have the chance to make an impact in this series. Role players on both teams have a chance to become household names.

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Dallas Mavericks. Mavs win in 6.

The Dallas Mavericks have gone through a good fight against the LA Clippers. Luka Doncic is one of the best players in the league. The way he can score, rebound, and pass makes him a triple threat. Kyrie Irving is one of the greatest second-round options in NBA history. He can hit all the big shots, play off-ball, and be an elite shot creator and ball handler. Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II are a huge upgrade over Boban and Dwight Powell. PJ Washington and Derrick Jones Jr. are also upgrades in the forward spot. One thing the Thunder will struggle against is the physical play of Luka. The way Doncic can create contact and play in the post will make it difficult for defenders. This series could expose OKC's lack of rim protectors. Also, a lack of real forwards can expose the Thunder. Zion was out in the first round. The Pelicans had no real muscle besides Jonas Valanciunas. So if Jonas can give Thunder trouble, imagine Luka. The Mavericks want to make their second trip to the Western Conference finals. They can take advantage of the thunder's weakness.

The Thunder are looking to make a huge impact this post-season. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continues to be one of the best young players in the league. Soon to be MVP of the league and under the direction of an OKC legend. The way he controls the pace of the game is scary. He is unstoppable on the offensive end. Chet Holmgren was quite a surprise in the first round. He played against the Pelicans. He is one of the best rim protectors in the league. The way he can handle the ball like a guard and score at will. Jalen Williams has been an incredible second option for the OKC Thunder. PJ Washington will have a difficult time trying to guard the young forward. There are a lot of questions about how OKC can play. Now, they are facing a real playoff team. Physical play can expose a lot of holes. Luka will be a difficult task for OKC. Being in the top 3 on defense and the top 5 offensive ends shows that they are a legit team. If the Thunder can keep their regular-season success in the post-season, they can make a run in the offs. One could say that. Regardless of how the season ends, it is a testament to how great the Thunder rebuild is.

Boston Celtics vs. Cleveland Cavaliers. Celtics in 5.

The Boston Celtics killed it in the first round. The Celtics excelled on offense. Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Kristaps Porzingis led the way. Derrick White, being the fourth scoring option, is the OP for this team. He was able to dominate against the Miami Heat. Showing the Celtics are ready to make a deep run. The Celtics defense is on another level. The core four are not the only great defenders on the team. Jrue Holiday has been one of the best defensive guards in the past decade. Al Horford is another talented defender off the bench. The Celtics are looking to add another banner to their resume. Jayson Tatum is in the hopes of establishing himself as one of the best players in the league. Jaylen Brown is trying to live up to the contract. They rank as the best defensive and offensive teams in the league. They also have the best defenders in every position. With this match, it should be easy. Donovan Mitchell is the only real scorer on the team. That will force guys like Max Strus, Caris LeVert, Darius Garland, and Evan Mobley to step up. The Boston Celtics can shut down their offense. This will make it hard for Cleveland to score. This should be a very easy series for Boston. Which is why I have Celtics in five.

The Cleveland Cavaliers had a very disappointing series against the Orlando Magic. They looked strong in the regular season. But they tanked at the end. That made them face a young Magic team. It was an embarrassment. To top it all off, it took them seven games to defeat the young team. Donovan Mitchell continues to be the first NBA-caliber player. He shined once again in the first round, ending the series with 39 points. The fact he had to drop a 50-point and 39-point game to secure a series win is an embarrassment. Now, the worry is, will he burn out against the Celtics? Who have talented defenders like Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, and Jaylen Brown. Players like Evan Mobley, Caris LeVert, and Darius Garland need to become the second option. Cleveland needs them to step up. Darius Garland seems far removed from his All-Star season. Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley's fitting seems awkward. Max Strus was the dog that the Cavs were missing last season. JB Bickerstaff's job is on the line, as is Donovan Mitchell's future. The expectations of the Cavs are low due to the last series. They are underdogs, but anything can happen.

New York Knicks vs. Indiana Pacers. Knicks in 6.

The New York Knicks came out of a dogfight against the 76ers. Going up against the tough-ass Joel Embiid and Maxey. Jalen Brunson continues to prove the haters wrong. He was a generational star with four straight 30-point games. He continues to be a playoff riser. It will be interesting to see how Indiana guards him. They are not known for defense, and Dame was able to have an incredible post-season against them. Brunson could have another incredible series. Josh Hart was incredible against Philly. He hit all his shots and was all around the court. He is a guy who can cut to the basket, hit open 3s, pass, and rebound. He is the perfect role player. Everything that New York loves. OG Anunoby is one of the best 3D players. He also came through big against Philly, taking over as the second option. Donte DiVincenzo's first-round performance was huge for New York. They are missing Julius Randle. Hartenstein and Robinson are good rotational bigs for the Knicks. New York shines on both ends of the court. Tom Thibodeau brought basketball back to New York. The Knicks can find themselves back in the Eastern Conference.

The Indiana Pacers did a pivot, and it paid off. Pascal Siakam is having one of the best post-seasons in his career. A guy who can score, pass, and defend. The best trade in the mid-season was for him. Tyrese Haliburton continues to be one hell of a playmaker. The way he sets his players up is incredible. But his scoring has been a problem. He needs to step up on scoring, or else it will be a long series for him. Andrew Nembhard was incredible in his playoff debut. His defense was on point and got key points for the Pacers. Aaron Nesmith is a great hustle player for the Pacers. He can guard the most important player on the opposing team. He is a physical player and can hit 3s. Myles Turner is a 3&D veteran who can switch on to anybody. And Indiana has good off-the-bench guys in Obi Toppin and TJ McConnell who can bring energy on both ends. Rick Carlisle hasn't coached a team this good since 2011. It will be fun to see the adjustments he makes to this series. The Pacers are deep enough on offense to win the series, but their defense is questionable. Because of that, I have Knicks in six.

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