The first round is over. There were some interesting series (Grizzlies vs T’wolves, Suns vs Pelicans, 76ers vs Rapters) and some boring series (Heat vs Hawks, Bucks vs Bulls). We know who the pretenders are now (looking at you Brooklyn & Utah). It’s time to move on and determine who are the actual contenders for the title. Let’s take a brief look at each series.
Suns vs Mavs
This series is at 1-0, Phoenix. Can the Dallas Mavericks run an offense that is not so Luka Doncic dependent and involve others into the offensive gameplan? Luka is unstoppable but as long as the other players have to stand around for much of the game, they will be out of rhythm when they do touch the ball. Brunson and Didwiddie have shown they can hoop but their production go way down when Luka plays. As for the Suns, of course we know about CP3 and D. Book, but can anyone stop Ayton? As long as he keeps doing his Hakeem Olajuwon/David Robinson impression, this series will be to the Suns advantage.
Picks from the Run it Back analysts
Terrence- Suns in 6,
Rob- Mavs in 7,
Me – Suns in 7
Alex – Suns in 5
Heat vs 76ers
This series is at 1-0, Miami. Miami has been one of the best teams in the East all season, regardless of who’s in the lineup. Philly doesn’t have a chance without a healthy Embiid and with an older James Harden.
Picks
Terrence – Heat in 5
Rob- Heat in 6
Me- Heat in 6
Alex – Heat in 6
Grizz vs Warriors
The series is now tied at 1-1. Air Morant put on a show last night, carrying his team to victory and tying up the series. Can he sustain this level of shot making? Will the injury to Gary Payton II be a big blow for the Warriors? Will the Splash brothers play better at home? How will this series go? Morant carried the team last night but much like Luka, he can sometimes have the ball in his hands too much, icing out the other players on his team. It worked last night though.
Picks
Terrence – Grizz in 7
Rob – Warriors in 6
Me – Warriors in 5
Alex – Warriors is 5
Celtics vs Bucks
What a juicy series, which is now knotted at 1 apiece. It looked like the Bucks were head and shoulders the better team in game 1. That’s until game 2 happened and Boston showed the Bucks their defensive backbone. We keep doubting Giannis and we keep doubting the Celtics. Something has got to give. Will Boston’s defense be too much for Giannis? Will Middleton make a surprise return later in the series? What about Marcus Smart? Will Jaylen Brown be game 1’s version or closer to game 2’s version of himself?
Picks
Terrence – Bucks in 6
Rob – Bucks in 6
Me – Celtics in 7
Alex – Bucks in 6
Drop a line or two or three and tell me what you think.