2023 NBA Playoffs Update
We are currently in the second round of what has so far been a very exciting 2023 NBA Playoff season. The first round did not disappoint, with many exciting and unexpected games and series occurring. My first-round predictions also did not disappoint, as I picked seven out of eight first-round series correctly. I’ll be recapping the results of the first round and how they compared to the actual results, and then giving my predictions for the rest of the playoffs.
One-seed Milwaukee Bucks vs Eight-seed Miami Heat
My prediction: Bucks in four.
Actual result: Heat in five.
This was the one series I completely missed on, as I thought the number one overall seed Milwaukee Bucks would easily beat the Heat or Bulls. Instead, playoff Jimmy Butler, averaging 37.6 points per game in the series, lead the Heat to a 4-1 series win.
Two-seed Boston Celtics vs Seven-seed Atlanta Hawks
My prediction: Celtics in six.
Actual result: Celtics in six.
I was right on this one, as Trae Young and the Hawks were able to win two games, but in the end, the Celtics were the far better team and won the series 4-2.
Three-seed Philadelphia 76ers vs Six-seed Brooklyn Nets
My prediction: 76ers in six
Actual result: 76ers in four
I got the winner right, but I thought this would’ve been a slightly closer series. Instead, the 76ers swept the Nets 4-0.
Four-seed Cleveland Cavaliers vs Five-seed New York Knicks
My prediction: Knicks in seven
Actual result: Knicks in five
Just like the 76ers-Nets series, I got the winner right but thought the series would be closer than it was. I was pleasantly surprised by how great the Knicks played in this 4-1 series win over the Cavaliers.
One-seed Denver Nuggets vs Eight-seed Minnesota Timberwolves
My prediction: Nuggets in five
Actual result: Nuggets in five
I was spot on with this prediction, as the Nuggets were the far better team and beat the Timberwolves in five games
Two-seed Memphis Grizzlies vs Seven-seed Los Angeles Lakers
My prediction: Lakers in six
Actual result: Lakers in six
Another perfectly accurate prediction, as Lebron James and the Lakers beat Ja Morant and the Grizzlies 4-2.
Three-seed Sacramento Kings vs Six-seed Golden State Warriors
My prediction: Warriors in six
Actual result: Warriors in seven
I was close on this one, but the Kings won game six to tie the series at 3-3 before the Warriors, led by a game seven all-time-record 50 points from Stephen Curry, won game seven on the road to win the series 4-3.
Four-seed Phoenix Suns vs Five-seed Los Angeles Clippers
My prediction: Suns in six
Actual result: Suns in five
I was also close on this one, but I expected the Clippers to win one more game than they did. Kawhi Leonard and Paul George both being out for some, or all of this series, certainly impacted this, and it could’ve been a different series if those two guys weren’t hurt.
Predictions for the rest of the Playoffs
Eastern Conference:
In the Eastern Conference Semifinals, I predict that the 76ers will beat the Celtics in six games, and the Knicks will beat the Heat in seven games. Then, in the Eastern conference finals, the 76ers will beat the Knicks in six games to advance to the NBA Finals
Western Conference:
In the Western Conference Semifinals, I predict that the Nuggets will beat the Suns in six games, and the Warriors will beat the Lakers in seven games. Then, in the Western Conference Finals, the Nuggets will beat the Warriors in six games.
This brings me to my NBA Finals prediction, which features the Nuggets and 76ers. The Nuggets have never won the NBA Championship, while the 76ers haven’t won since 1983, so the winner of this series will give us a new NBA Champion. I predict that Joel Embiid will add to his 2023 NBA MVP award with a 2023 NBA Championship and Finals MVP, leading the 76ers to a win over Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets. My prediction: 76ers in six