NBA Playoff Predictions

Thomas Guccione, Web Editor

After taking all 82 games (and overtime for the Wolves) to figure out who would make the playoffs, we are finally here. The teams are seeded so we can now make our predictions for the team that will hoist the Larry O’Brien trophy.

Western Conference Finals: Houston Rockets vs. Golden State Warriors

With the #1 seed and best record in the league it is no surprise to see Houston here and although Steph Curry will more than likely not be back for the first round, the Warriors should still be able to make it the Western Conference Finals. The result of this series all depends on how healthy Curry is. If he plays like himself and is nailing threes: Warriors win in 7; however, if he is rusty and can’t anything going: Rockets in 6.

Winner: Golden State Warriors

If I’ve learned anything from the last couple of season is never count out the Warriors. They play such good team basketball that I think the iso-heavy Rockets will lose in a hard-fought series. Not to mention James Harden and Chris Paul’s track record in the playoffs are not squeaky clean.

Eastern Conference Finals: Toronto Raptors vs. Philadelphia 76’ers

The Raptors finished the season with the second-best record in the league right behind the Houston Rockets. Meanwhile the 76’ers finished as the #3 seed in the East thanks to finishing the year on 16 game win streak without Joel Embiid for most of those games (#TrusttheProcess). It’s clear that “The Process” is starting to come together but they are still raw and unexperienced. Meanwhile the Raptors have been contending for a Finals bid for three years now and this year feels like the one for them.

Winner: Toronto Raptors

Although seeing the 76’ers win would be the story of the year, the experienced and hungry Raptors look ready to pounce on this off year opportunity in the East. The Celtics will be back healthy next year and the 76’ers will only get better (#TrusttheProcess). If the Raptors can’t win it now, they won’t win it for a while.

NBA Finals: Golden State Warriors vs. Toronto Raptors

At the beginning of the season, Golden State was expected to be here while the Raptors were not. Raptors finished one game ahead of the Warriors so they would hold home-court advantage. By the time of the Finals, Curry will be back and healthy.  This would be Golden State’s fourth straight Finals appearance while the Raptors have never been.  Golden State won both matchups earlier in the season while both were close games. These factors favor Golden State.

Winner: Golden State Warriors

I fully expect Curry to be healthy by the Finals and when they are full strength, no one and I mean no one can’t beat them four times out of seven. They have exceptional depth in their roster along with one of the best coaches in the game. The Warriors had one of the best defenses this season and an electric, star-studded offense.

This postseason is filled with good teams all looking to make it to the Finals, it should be an entertaining playoffs.