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It is time! The NBA Playoffs are here! The play-in tournament begins tomorrow night…
Tuesday, April 11th
7:30pm EST: No. 8 Atlanta Hawks at No. 7 Miami Heat
10:00pm: No. 8 Minnesota Timberwolves at No. 7 Los Angeles Lakers
Wednesday, April 12th
7:00pm EST: No. 10 Chicago Bulls at No. 9 Toronto Raptors
9:30pm EST: No. 10 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. New Orleans Pelicans
Friday, April 14th
7 or 7:30pm EST: Winner of Bulls/Raptors at Loser of Hawks/Heat
9:30pm or 10:00pm EST: Winner of Thunder/Pelicans at Loser of Lakers/Timberwolves
Eastern Conference:
Milwaukee Bucks:
#1 Seed | 58-24
The Bucks have been dominating the Eastern Conference ever since the 2018-19 season and once again they find themselves sitting in first. This Giannis Antetokounmpo led Bucks squad will make quick work of any team and have only gotten better over time. If they can keep their star players healthy the Bucks will have a good chance at winning the title.
Ceiling: Finals Champions
Floor: 2nd Round Exit
Boston Celtics:
#2 Seed | 57-25
The deadly duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown has brought this team far and their supporting cast has only continued to elevate this team. This Celtics squad is strong on both sides of the ball, leading the NBA in net rating. If Boston can find some consistency in their scorers they will look to further their success of last season and raise banner 17.
Ceiling: Finals Champions
Floor: 2nd Round Exit
Philadelphia 76ers:
#3 Seed | 54-28
Joel Embiid has been the story all season long for the Sixers as he is the clear-cut frontrunner for the MVP award. With Embiid and Harden on the court together the Sixers have been a scary team to face and a nightmare to defend. The Sixers offense can take them far as long as they can anchor down on the defensive end, but the only concern for this squad has been the supporting cast…the production of the other starters, besides Harden and Embiid, and the bench has been lackluster. If they want to compete for a championship they will need some guys to step up.
Ceiling: Finals Appearance
Floor: 2nd Round Exit
Cleveland Cavaliers:
#4 Seed | 51-31
This Cavs squad has a young and very talented core led by Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland. They have promising upside, but don’t have much experience outside of Mitchell. Regardless of this, I believe the Cavs can make some noise and compete with whatever team they come against along the way. A first round matchup with the Knicks will be a very exciting series.
Ceiling: Eastern Conference Finals
Floor: 1st Round Exit
New York Knicks:
#5 Seed | 47-35
The Knicks have improved tremendously this season. They acquired Jalen Brunson from the Mavericks over the offseason and Juluis Randle is having the best season of his career, a perfect pairing. They know how to win in close games and will put up a fight with whatever team crosses their path. They will be an exciting team to watch especially with a first round meeting with the Cavaliers.
Ceiling: 2nd Round Exit
Floor: 1st Round Exit
Brooklyn Nets:
#6 Seed | 45-37
The Nets have gone through some serious changes over the past few seasons and went from harnessing the trio of KD, Harden, and Kyrie to having Mikal Bridges leading the way. Don’t sleep on Bridges though, he has put together some pretty remarkable games in his short time with the Nets and has quickly become a fan favorite. The bottom line is that if the Nets want to get past the Sixers they’re going to need a full team effort on both sides of the ball.
Ceiling: 2nd Round Exit
Floor: 1st Round Exit
Miami Heat:
#7 Seed | 44-38
After finishing first in the Eastern Conference last season, the Heat find themselves in the play-in. Led by Jimmy Butler, Kyle Lowry, and Bam Adebayo, this Heat squad is a dangerous playoff team and will compete with anyone. Despite some recent struggles, I think the Heat will make it out of the play-in but not much further than that as the Bucks or the Celtics will be very challenging opponents.
Ceiling: 1st Round Exit
Floor: Lose in Play-In
Atlanta Hawks:
#8 Seed | 41-41
The Hawks find themselves with the eight seed for the second straight season. During the offseason the Hawks acquired Dejounte Murray, who proved to be a great addition, but inconsistency throughout the season garnered the same result for the Hawks. As long as Trae Young is on the floor anything can happen, but I believe that the Hawks will struggle in a seven game series.
Ceiling: 1st Round Exit
Floor: Lose in Play-In
Toronto Raptors:
#9 Seed | 41-41
The Raptors faced a little bit of a let down this season after finishing fifth last year. Pascal Siakam has been the heart and soul of this team and has led them throughout the season. Players such as Fred VanVleet, OG Anunoby, Gary Trent Jr., and Scottie Barnes will have to step up in order for the Raptors to have any postseason success. Having to win two play-in games before making it to the first round will be tough in itself and then having to play the Bucks is the icing on the cake. The Raptors won’t go far.
Ceiling: 1st Round Exit
Floor: Lose in Play-In
Chicago Bulls:
#10 Seed | 40-42
The Bulls showed some promise after last season but have struggled a fair amount this year. Lonzo Ball was a big loss for the Bulls this season as he has been dealing with a knee injury, but the trio of Zach Lavine, Demar DeRozan, and Nikola Vucevic can be pretty dangerous in itself. Similar to the Raptors, the journey will be very difficult so I don’t believe the Bulls will go very far.
Ceiling: 1st Round Exit
Floor: Lose in Play-In
Western Conference
Denver Nuggets:
#1 Seed | 53-29
Despite an erratic Western Conference, the Nuggets have occupied the throne for the majority of the season with 2x MVP Nikola Jokic leading the way. The return of Jamal Murray, who missed all of last season with an ACL injury, has also helped revive this Nuggets squad who were first round exits last time around. Murray’s absence has also allowed for the rise of Micheal Porter Jr. who has been a vital part of the success for the Nuggets. I think we are all aware of Denver’s capability and know they will compete for the title.
Ceiling – Finals Champions
Floor – 2nd Round Exit
Memphis Grizzlies:
#2 Seed | 51-31
The Grizzlies find themselves in the same spot as last season despite some serious controversy surrounding superstar guard Ja Morant. This team is certainly battle tested and won’t back down from any opponent. Jaren Jackson Jr., the favorite for Defensive Player of the Year, has put together an amazing season and will look to provide serious contributions throughout the playoffs. The Grizzlies will be a tough team to beat.
Ceiling: Finals Champions
Floor: 2nd Round Exit
Sacramento Kings:
#3 Seed | 48-34
The Kings have been one of the biggest surprises in the NBA this season as they ended their 16-season playoff drought and earned the 3 seed after going 30-52 last season. They have solidified themselves as true contenders and one of the most entertaining teams in the league behind DeAaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis. They will face a tough round one opponent in the Warriors, but leave it to the Kings to get the job done in pressure situations. Light the Beam!
Ceiling: Western Conference Finals
Floor: 1st Round Exit
Phoenix Suns:
#4 Seed | 45-37
The Suns have been on a roll as of late, going a perfect 8-0 when Kevin Durant is in the lineup. They’re a scary team once they find their rhythm and will make lots of noise throughout their upcoming playoff run. As long as Chris Paul doesn’t cross paths with Scott Foster, KD and company will take the Suns far.
Ceiling: Finals Appearance
Floor: 2nd Round Exit
Los Angeles Clippers:
#5 Seed | 44-38
Early on in the season, many had the Clippers as their favorite to win the Finals. After injury troubles throughout the season and a mid season accusation of Russell Westbrook, the Clippers find themselves as a 5th seed. Paul George is also expected to miss the first round, a huge hit for LA, but don’t be fooled, although inconsistent at times, the Clippers are a dangerous team who can make a run with Kawhi Leonard and Russell Westbrook leading the charge.
Ceiling: Western Conference Finals
Floor: 1st Round Exit
Golden State Warriors:
#6 Seed | 44-38
The Warriors faced a minor regression after winning the Finals last season, but this team isn’t any less talented. The duo of Steph Curry and Klay Thompson is not one that you’d want to face in the playoffs. Injuries got the best of this squad throughout the season and if they can put together a healthy lineup for the playoffs they can make a run of their own.
Ceiling: Western Conference Finals
Floor: 1st Round Exit
Los Angeles Lakers:
#7 Seed | 43-39
After missing the NBA playoffs last season, the Lakers find themselves in the play-in. Whenever we discuss the Lakers we all think about LeBron James, but, when healthy, Anthony Davis has been a force. Their postseason hope is simple…if the King wants to win, the Lakers will compete, but he’ll still need some help along the way from players such as Austin Reeves, especially if they make it out of the play-in and have to face the Grizzlies.
Ceiling: Western Conference Finals
Floor: 1st Round Exit
Minnesota Timberwolves:
#8 Seed | 42-40
The T-Wolves find themselves in the play-in once again. They have a strong core led by Anthony Edwards, Rudy Gobert, and Karl Anthony Towns that will hopefully be in search of more than just a play-in win, unlike Patrick Beverley. They’ve had their ups and downs throughout the season, including a physical altercation between Kyle Anderson and Rudy Gobert during a timeout on Sunday night. Forward Jaden McDaniels and center Rudy Gobert will miss the beginning of playoffs after McDaniels suffered a fractured hand from punching a wall at halftime of Sunday’s game and Gobert being suspended as a result of Sunday’s incident. Regardless of these newly sprouting locker room issues and a huge loss in Jaden McDaniels and Rudy Gobert, I think Minnesota will struggle when it comes to a seven game series.
Ceiling: 1st Round Exit
Floor: Lose in Play-In
New Orleans Pelicans:
#9 Seed | 42-40
The Pelicans have seen some bright spots throughout the season including sitting at first in the Western Conference during the beginning of the season, but injuries, especially with Zion Williamson, have caused the Pelicans to drop into a play-in position. There’s no saying if Zion will return at any point during the playoffs but regardless the CJ McCollum and Brandon Ingram led Pelicans could definitely pull off a first round upset.
Ceiling: 2nd Round Exit
Floor: Lose in Play-In
Oklahoma City Thunder:
#10 Seed | 40-42
The Thunder have been led by superstar guard Shai Gilegous-Alexander all season long and he will be the key to their success throughout the playoffs as well. In order to pull off some upsets they will need some help from their supporting cast of Josh Giddey, Jalen Williams, and Tre Mann. This Thunder team is very young and very exciting, but I believe their inexperience will hold them back. It will be interesting to see how they continue to progress in the future.
Ceiling: 1st Round Exit
Floor: Lose in Play-In
2023 NBA Playoffs First Round Schedule for Game 1s
Saturday, April 15
Brooklyn @ Philadelphia | 1 ET (ESPN)
East #7 @ Boston | 3:30 ET (ESPN)
New York @ Cleveland | 6 ET (ESPN)
Golden State @ Sacramento | 8:30 (ABC)
Sunday, April 16
East #8 @ Milwaukee | TBD
West # 8 @ Denver | TBD
West #7 @ Memphis | TBD
LA Clippers @ Phoenix | TBD
Thanks for reading!
1 Comment
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Pablanco
April 10, 2023 at 3:29 pm EDT
Muy bien