NBA Playoffs Round 1 Predictions: Eastern Conference

I honestly cannot remember the last time I was this excited for the playoffs – maybe in 2021 when my Nets had a rare moment of relevancy. Anyways – I’m hyped. So many great legacy pieces in play. Rivalries ready to be renewed. Seasoned vets against hungry young guys. I expect upsets, historic performances and the occasional feisty moment. Like many of you, this is my Christmas Eve.

Here are my predictions for all of the first round matchups in the Eastern conference with a brief summary (100 words or less) of why I expect the series to go that way. Let me know your predictions in the comments below.

My Western conference predictions will be out tomorrow before the Clippers and Nuggets tips off.

(1) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (8) Miami Heat

It’s been just two years since the eighth seeded Miami Heat took the basketball world by surprise and marched their way to the NBA Finals – becoming just the second eight seed to do so. Spoiler alert – this current Heat team won’t become the third team. The Heat will rely heavily on Tyler Herro to be their main source of offence. However, the Cavs have many different defenders to throw at Herro – predominantly De’Andre Hunter – and they won’t be afraid to switch on defence. Simply put, the Cavs fire power on both offence and defence will be too overwhelming.

Prediction: Cavaliers in 5

(2) Boston Celtics vs (7) Orlando Magic

The team that takes the most threes in the league (Boston) against the team that forces the lowest three point field goal percentage (Orlando). Due to Boston’s motto of living by the three and dying by the three, I have a hard time imagining them winning 4 straight against a great perimeter defensive team like Orlando. However the Magic’s offence being uncreative and sometimes painful to watch may cancel out a bad Boston shooting game. Overall, Boston’s star power and playoff experience will be too much for this young Orlando team that’s already missing a key piece in Jalen Suggs.

Prediction: Celtics in 5

(3) New York Knicks vs (6) Detroit Pistons

I’m stoked for this series. I’m expecting it to be chippy, and I’m expecting some big games from some big players. This has been a great season for Detroit, however the Knicks are the better team and four of their five starters have played in either a Conference Finals or NBA Finals series. Outside of Harris and Hardaway Jr, the Pistons are significantly less experienced than their opponents. The Pistons may have a deeper team, but the Knicks starting five are vastly superior. I expect the Knicks players to be heavily bruised and fatigued when they advance to the second round.

Prediction: Knicks in 6

(4) Indiana Pacers vs (5) Milwaukee Bucks

My favourite series in the East. This is gonna be fast paced, high scoring, and presumably very aggressive. The Bucks heavily dislike the Pacers, and for Indiana the feeling is mutual – remember their argument over who deserved the game ball last season? Giannis is on an absolute tear at the moment and I imagine him to continue to dish out punishment to the Pacers. Yet with no Lillard, I just can’t see them winning this series. Overall, the Pacers are the better team and are better coached. To win without Dame, Giannis will need to do things resembling 2018 LeBron.

Prediction: Pacers in 6