Potential first-round matchups, NBA playoffs

by Amy Gleason

With the All-Start game in the rearview mirror, it’s a good time to speculate where the regular season will settle and which teams will make it into the 2022-23 playoffs. Here’s my take.

Eastern Conference

(1) Boston Celtics vs. (8) Toronto Raptors: The Celtics should have no problem knocking out the Raptors. Boston has been hot and held the best record in the NBA for most of the season. Tatum was involved in the

MVP conversation earlier in the season, and he could build on his case coming off a high from the All-Star Game, where he won MVP and scored 55 points.

(4) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (5) Brooklyn Nets: It is no secret the Brooklyn Nets lost their star power at the trade deadline. However, Mikal Bridges seems to be leading the charge of his new team, and 21-year-old Cam Thomas has had historic performances this season. Nevertheless, I don’t think the Nets have enough to beat the Cavaliers in a playoff series.

(2) Philadelphia 76ers vs. (6) New York Knicks: This should be an entertaining series, with the 76ers coming out on top. I could see Philadelphia going on a playoff run the way this season has been, and the same is not true for the Knicks. The Knicks are just above .500, while the Sixers have 38 wins. Joel Embiid will come alive even more so in the playoffs, and I’m sure he and the rest of the Sixers can win the series.

(2) Milwaukee Bucks vs. (7) Miami Heat: The Bucks will likely find themselves in the ECF, if not the Finals, this year, so this should be a quick series against Miami. The Heat is not playing with the same fire as last season when they went to the ECF, and a return seems unlikely. The Bucks are playing like a much higher-level team and will probably have to face the Celtics to see who comes out of the east, who they beat in their exciting last matchup.

Western Conference

(1) Denver Nuggets vs. (8)

Golden State Warriors: This will be a first-round rematch from last year’s playoffs, but the two teams have different seeds from last year. A full-strength Warriors team is scary for any team to see in the playoffs, especially as the defending champions. However, they have not played like much of a championship team or been at full strength much this season, so I think the Nuggets may take it.

(3) Los Angeles Clippers vs. (5) Phoenix Suns: These teams received some roster upgrades as the Clippers recently acquired Russell Westbrook and the Suns’ Kevin Durant. I am leaning toward the Clippers. We have yet to see what Kevin Durant can do for the Suns, but I think it is a little too late to redeem their season and have the team learn to play with Durant. I see more promise in Westbrook meshing with Paul George and Kawhi Leonard to be the big three that get the win.

(4) Sacramento Kings vs. (6) Dallas Mavericks: For most NBA fans, it is probably surprising to see the Sacramento Kings as the 4-seed or even in the playoffs. They have shocked many with their efficiency and level of play this season. However, I still see Dallas winning the series. Luka Doncic brought the Mavericks to the Western Conference finals last year.

(2) Memphis Grizzlies vs. (7) New Orleans Pelicans: This may be the most entertaining firstround matchup across the league. We will see fast-paced, high-scoring, and physical games if Zion is healthy for the series. This is another difficult prediction to make, but I pick the Grizzles. They feel they have more to prove after last season’s playoff performance and have the season’s power to do so.