The 2021 Playoffs - hold the bubble please
It's been a little while, but I'm back! Just in time for this year's NBA playoff run!
This week I caught up with the guys from Double Tech to discuss the NBA Play-In tournament, the NBA Playoffs and yes, Kwame Brown.
So the Play In tournament is all wrapped up and we're ready for the big boys to play. This time though there is no bubble for the young guys to hide in and there are a few fans in some markets that will make homecourt an actual advantage.
Before I preview the playoffs though, let's look back at the Play In tourney. There were a couple duds, but there was a buzzer-beating three from LeBron and then an overtime game on the last night. The interest and extra games garantees that this new close to the season is here to stay. Commisioner Adam Silver has all but said so himself. In the last couple of shortened seasons, this tournament has given an opportunity for teams to try to make up ground that in fewer games. It will be interesting to see how the format will change in the future with a full season of 82 games.
Now, on to the predications (in order of appearance):
#3 Bucks vs #6 Heat
The Heat had the Bucks number in the bubble - specifically the number 5, which is how many games it took for the Heat to win the series. This time around these teams meet in the first roung and full disclosure, I'm a total Heat lifer. But this series is different. These teams are different, so the outcome should be expected to be different as well. It will be. Heat in 6 games this time around.
#4 Clippers vs #5 Mavs
The Clippers played the last couple of regular season games like they were good where they were and didn't mind missing the Lakers early in the playoffs. For their sake, hope it doesn't come back to haunt them in the form of the Dallas Mavericks. The Mavs are going to be a challenge especially if Porzingis can stay healthy. It will be a good series, but the Clippers will ultimately put it away. Clippers in 6.
#1 Nets vs #8 Celtics
The Celtics had a huge 50-point game from Jayson Tatum to power them into the Playoffs from the Play-In tourney, but unless he can muster that every game, this will be a very short series especially with the Nets Big 3 back on the court together. The Celtics can probably sneak one in, but I predict a gentlemen's sweep. Nets in 5.
#3 Nuggets vs #6 Blazers
The Nuggets are without their bubble superstar Jamal Murray and the Blazers are coming in hot with Damian Lillard ready to make a long push in the playoffs. Nikola Jokic is the top pick of many for MVP with good reason. He controls everything the Nuggets do, but it will be his greatest challenge of his career to get the Nuggets back to where they made it last year. This might be the best first round series, but I've got the Blazers in 7.
#1 Sixers vs #8 Wizards
I've got a soft spot for Russell Westbrook. He plays so hard that I want to give them a couple games in this series. I can't do it though. Embid and the Sixers have bigger fish to fry this season and I can't see it going long. Sixers in 5.
#2 Suns vs # 7 Lakers
Is LeBron too hobbled to lead his team? Is AD ready to be the number 1 option on the team. Can the Suns continue to follow Chris Pauals lead and get past the defending champions as the first #2 seed to not be the favorite over the #7 in 30 years? I see a hard fought first-round series that will be one for the ages. Lakers in 6.
#4 Knicks vs #5 Hawks
The resurgence of the Knicks is something that the NBA has to love, though not as much as the Hawks coach Nate McMillan thought as he was fined for saying the league wants the Knicks to get to the next round and not his Hawks. I think this is a pretty evenly matched series and we'll get 7 games of it, but I do think that Coach Tibbs' defense will ultimately be the difference. Knicks in 7.
#1 Jazz vs # 8 Grizzlies
Ja Morant powered his Grizzlies past Steph and Draymond and will now face the rested Jazz, whose only question is if Donovan Mitchell is back at full strength. I think the Jazz may take a little while to get going, but once they do it'll be all about their defense and Mitchell versus Morant in the closing seconds. Going with the Jazz in 6.
Be sure to check out Double Tech with my brother Derrell HB Young and Christian Weaver airing on the Arkansas sports radio station The BUZ2 Wednesday's at 7 Central.
The NBA playoffs are back baby!
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