RAPTORS vs BUCKS – Raps in 6
Hometown bias aside, the Raptors are genuinely the better team in this matchup, despite the Bucks having the best player between the 2 teams. Giannis Antetokoumpo is a beast that can do everything on both Offence and Defence, but he can’t do it alone. Brogdon and Middleton should help, but if those 2 are your 2nd and 3rd best player than the Raptors should be able to handle them with ease. The only reason I don’t give the Raps less games to get through is because they always seem to struggle out of the gate. Game 1’s are not friendly to the Raptors, but they usually seem to pull it together at some point.
CAVALIERS vs PACERS – Cavs in 5
Lebron James hasn’t lost a 1st round playoff game since 2012, and I find it hard to believe that trend can continue…I mean, he has to lose 1, right? This matchup should go quickly as the Cavaliers are a substantially better team, despite struggling down the stretch like they have.
CELTICS vs BULLS – Celtics in 6
This would be a much more one-sided affair, if the tragic news of Isaiah Thomas’ sister suddenly passing wouldn’t play such an obvious factor. I’m not sure what the emotional and mental state of the Celtic’s best player is in, and how it will affect the series going forward, but if we’re playing this game on paper: the Celtics win easily.
WIZARDS vs HAWKS – Wizards in 6
The Wizards backcourt can’t be denied with Beal and Wall doing what they do every year. It should be a back and forth series with the home team winning most games until the Wizards eventually pull ahead. Washington was just a victory shy of a 50-win season, something that is terribly overshadowed in the East.