Pabz Report: NBA Playoffs 2020
- Pabz Report
- Aug 15, 2020
- 3 min read
The stage is set, and if the play-in game between Portland and Memphis is any indication, we are in for an incredible few months of NBA hoops! With the series set, and a day off before the playoffs begin, here are my key match-ups, story-lines and predictions for the opening round.
Western Conference
The Los Angeles Lakers (52-19) come into the playoffs with championship aspirations. Anything less would be considered a failed season. Anthony Davis has been a force, pairing perfectly alongside Lebron James in purple and gold. Kyle Kuzma has upped the ante in Orlando too; Not only hitting a game winner, but also taking his defensive intensity up a notch. The Blazers have Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum, and without going into grave details… THEY”RE A PROBLEM. Lillard will put up a 50-piece in the series. Dame Time vs the Lakers is always must watch TV. The Lakers guards will have their hands full, but Lebron James is on a mission. Playoff Bron is BACK and It starts on Taco Tuesday! Lakers in 5.
The Houston Rockets will once again rely on the shoulders of James Harden while they wait and see when Russell Westbrook can return from injury. Both squads come into the series with matching 44-28 records. While that being par for the course in Houston, those were not the expectations of many outside of the OKC locker room. Put the bright lights on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, because he’ll need to take his game up another level for OKC to pull this off. It’ll be close for the overachieving Thunder team, but no cigar. Rockets in 7.
This playoff series is filled with the best young stars the NBA has to offer. Jamal Murray’s return to the Nuggets lineup was an instant impact. The Joker drops dimes like Steve Nash. What about the bubble’s rising stars in Bol Bol and Michael Porter jr? This Denver squad is full of youth that will be a problem in this league for some time. The Utah Jazz are led by their fearless young superstar, Donovan Mitchell. His D-wade like determination will take over a game or two. Nuggets in 6.
The Los Angeles Clippers (49-23) load managed their way into the playoffs and are planning on playing into October. Will karma bite them? If you know, you know but it isn’t happening here. Kawhi and PG are ready, but if there was ever a steppingstone series for a young superstar like Luka Doncic, this is it! While the Mavs supporting cast doesn’t quite match the firepower the Clippers offer, Luka will take two. Clippers in 6.
Eastern Conference
The Milwaukee Bucks (56-17) walk into the their first-round playoff match-up as heavy favorites. If healthy, the Orlando Magic (+3000 betting odds) would’ve posed an interesting twin tower defensive match-up against Giannis Antetokounmpo. Early in the restart, Jonathan Issac tore an ACL, and recently Mo Bamba left the bubble for health issues. The Bucks went 3-5 in seeding games, and the reining MVP voiced his frustrations about their lackluster play with his Zinedine Zidane headbutt. They’ll be ready. Fear the Deer in 4.
The Indiana Pacers (45-28) haven’t advanced out of Round 1 of the playoffs since 2014. 2020 unfortunately won’t be their year either. Although the Pacers aren’t ruling out a return to Orlando, they’re still missing their All-Star Domantas Sabonis. TJ Warren has stepped up nicely earning First-Team All Bubble, but the Miami Heat donning their great city edition jerseys should cruise. Jimmy Butler has something to prove, and that 3-&-D squad can hoop. I got my eye on the potential runner-up in the ROY race, Kendrick Nunn. Miami in 6.
Have we seen the last of the Ben Simmons x Joel Embiid experiment? We should. With Simmons at home hurt, this is the big fella’s turn to take over. While Embiid has shown he can be the most dominant center in the league, consistency on both ends will be crucial if they want to squeak out a game or two. Give me Jayson Tatum and that Kobe like footwork all day. Celtics in 5.
Put some respect on their name! The reigning NBA champion Toronto Raptors (53-19) lost a 2x NBA Finals MVP in Kawhi Leonard and said, ‘Next Man Up.’ Fred Van Fleet is the engine that gets that train going, but I expect them to feed Pascal Siakam early and often. He’s still shaking off that bubble rust. Sorry Brooklyn, the plan was always 2021. Raptors in 5.
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