The first round of the 2018 NBA Finals is just around the corner, we’ve just been treated to one of the more memorable finishes to the regular season that we have had in years. While the picture was crystal clear in the Eastern Conference, there were five teams separated by 2.5 games in the West.
The Warriors and the Cavs have dominated their respective conferences over the last couple of seasons and this year we saw some challengers emerge that could signal a changing of the guard.
The Raptors have clinched the top seeding in the Eastern Conference for the first time in their franchise history, while in the Western Conference James Harden has led the Houston Rockets on a record-breaking run, that could see ‘The Beard’ crowned the MVP player of the year. The Warriors will need to overcome injuries to a number of their key stars to defend their crown and LeBron James will need to lift a gear in the Eastern Conference to carry his side through to another appearance in the NBA Finals.
We’ve listed our tips below for the first round of the playoffs.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
TORONTO RAPTORS (1) V WASHINGTON WIZARDS (2)
After a second round exit last year, the Raptors have rebounded spectacularly to sweep aside all challengers in the Eastern Conference.
While the focus in the East was on Kyrie Irving’s move to the Celtics and the Cav’s dreadful trading record, Toronto have dominated the Eastern Conference to nab the number one seeding for the first time in their history.
The Raptors come up against the Wizards in the first round and will be looking to win the first game of the series and break a nine-year losing streak in the process. Toronto have dropped the opening game of the playoffs for the last nine seasons and will want to avoid giving Washington an edge.
The Wizards have limped into the playoffs but have an All-Star backcourt that could derail Toronto’s campaign before it’s had a chance to gain any momentum. After splitting their regular season games at 2-2 the Raptors have enough self-belief about them to progress to the next round.
Tip: Raptors to win the series 4-3
BOSTON CELTICS (2) V MILWAUKEE BUCKS (7)
The Celtics started the preseason as one of the favourites for the title with the acquisitions of Gordon Hayward and Kyrie Irving.
After losing Hayward five minutes into the season, the Celtics rallied to win 16 games straight and seemed to have a stranglehold on the top seeding in the Eastern Conference. Boston have now lost four starters to injury heading into the clash with the Bucks, including Irving for the season.
The Bucks have one of the best players in the league in the form of Giannis Antetokounmpo. The acquisition of Eric Bledsoe added some much-needed steel to their backcourt but they have been frustrating at the best of times. The Celtics have been able to rally from tough spots this season and while they may not win the gold ring this year, they have enough talent in their ranks to get past an inconsistent Bucks side in the first round.
Tip: Celtics to win the series 4-2
PHILADELPHIA 76ERS (3) V MIAMI HEAT (6)
The 76ers make their first playoffs appearance since 2011 when they lost to the Celtics in the semi-finals. Philadelphia have gone of a run of 16 straight wins and have surprised themselves finishing the Eastern Conference in third position.
Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid have been the success stories that now have Philadelphia as one of the favourites to reach the Eastern Conference Finals.
This season has been about a trust in ‘The Process’ and Philly finds themselves in a good position. Philly faces a tricky assignment in the first round coming up against the Miami Heat. The Heat split their regular series with 76ers this season and while they don’t have a roster with an A-list superstar, they are a dangerous team.
Dwayne Wade will use his years of finals experience to get inside the heads of a young 76ers side. If the 76ers stick to the basics, then they should be able to get to the second round of the playoffs in what is sure to be an entertaining series.
Tip: 76ers to win the series 4-3
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (4) V INDIANA PACERS (5)
Regular season LeBron James may be a triple-double machine, but the playoff version is a proven big-name performer.
The Cavs raised some eyebrows before the start of the season, saying goodbye to Kyrie Irving and a mid-season shake-up to their roster that sounded alarmed bells around the league. The Cavs have been brilliant, thanks to James’ effort that has him in a top three finish for the league MVP.
The Pacers have been the surprise packets of the season after trading Paul George for Victor Oladipo. The Cavs will progress into the second round and a possible clash with Toronto. Any side with LeBron James is guaranteed to go deep into the postseason.
Tip: Cavs to win the series 4-0
WESTERN CONFERENCE
HOUSTON ROCKETS (1) V MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES (8)
The Rockets made their intentions this season clear with the acquisition of Chris Paul from the LA Clippers.
His combination with James Harden has been electric as Houston have powered to the top of the Western Conference with relative ease.
The Rockets are expected to provide the Warriors with the type of competition that the league has been craving for several seasons.
The Timberwolves are making their first appearance in the playoffs in 14 years and will be wanting to make the most of the opportunity.
Jimmy Butler will be wanting to re-join his side and Minnesota will be looking to get some value from Derrick Rose off the bench. The Rockets swept the Timberwolves in the regular season and expect the Rockets to flex their muscles and end this series quickly.
Tip: Rockets to win the series 4-0
GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS (2) V SAN ANTONIO SPURS (7)
The Warriors have endured a horrible run of injuries and will be missing Steph Curry for the first-round match-up with the Spurs.
Golden State have promised to be ready for the first round of the playoffs despite their growing injury list and will be making a run at a third title in four years.
The Spurs have been on shaky ground all year with injury worries of their own but have managed to extend their playoff streak to 21 seasons.
The Spurs will be without Kawhi Leonard and despite making it to the first round, they’ll struggle to keep pace with the Warriors.
Tip: Warriors to win the series 4-1
PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS (3) V NEW ORLEANS PELICANS (6)
This will be an entertaining series between two high scoring sides and the battle between Trail Blazers duo CJ McCollum and Damian Lillard will be in for a tricky assignment against Anthony Davis and Jrue Holiday.
The Pelicans may have lost DeMarcus Cousins but made it this far thanks to the unbelievable work of Davis, that has him in the conversation for the MVP.
This series could go either way but considering the form of Davis, they could potentially be able to put the lights out on Portland’s season.
Tip: New Orleans to win the series 4-3
OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER (4) V UTAH JAZZ (5)
This will be a cracking affair with the star power of Russell Westbrook, Paul George and Carmelo Anthony up against the young gun Donovan Mitchell.
The Thunder were widely expected to be the team to step up to challenge the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference.
The Jazz are the NBA’s hottest teams after they trounced the Warriors by double digits and if Ben Simmons wasn’t playing, Mitchell would be a lock for the Rookie of the Year.
This will be a huge ask for the Jazz and Donovan Mitchell and if Russell Westbrook hits his triple double average, then the Thunder should be able to progress.
Tip: Thunder to win the series 4-2