Eastern Conf. Playoffs: First Round
20 May 2021
Bucks [3] vs. Heat [6]
The opening game of the 2021 NBA playoffs is a bittersweet one for the league’s reneging MVP in Giannis Antetokounmpo. It was just less than a calendar year ago that the Milwaukee Bucks were sitting atop the eastern conference with the No. 1 seed only to get knocked out in six games to the NBA bubble phenomena Miami Heat. Perhaps last year was a fluke run for Jimmy Butler and the Heat, perhaps it wasn’t, everyone is entitled to their own opinion. However, with the playoffs back to a somewhat normal-like feel, it’s tough to see the reigning Eastern Conference champs take down the Bucks and replicate last season’s performance. Milwaukee’s Jrue Holiday said it best when speaking on the talent of these two squads and how they match up.
This is no discredit to Butler’s killer mentality and a supporting cast headlined by Bam Adebayo. But the lack of consistency from the backcourt is too tough to ignore. Here’s a comparison of how Miami fared last season compared to this year from beyond the arc.
Miami Heat Stats
It’s clear that Miami is not the same team when it comes to 3-point efficiency. The team has actually attempted more 3-pointers this past year but clearly has a lower 3P% compared to their 2019-20 campaign. Ultimately, it would be a bold statement to say the Bucks wrap this series up in 5 games but I’ll give Miami the benefit of the doubt and make this a convincing 6 game series in favor of Milwaukee. I hate to bet against playoff Jimmy Butler, but one NBA scout also believes Milwaukee’s Mike Budenholzer is playing for his head coaching job
Prediction: Bucks in 6
Nets [2] vs. Celtics [7]
The only thing better than a revenge game is a revenge series. Kyrie Irving is set to make his Nets playoff debut against none other than his former Boston Celtics squad. Here’s a look at how dominant Irving has been against the Celtics since joining Brooklyn.
Nets' Kyrie Irving vs. Celtics (3 Games)
The 7x all-star has racked up a total of 92 points against the Celtics. Boston will have their hands full as alongside Irving, we will see James Harden, Kevin Durant, and Blake Griffin make their Nets’ playoff debuts as well. It certainly is an exciting time to be a Brooklyn Nets fan with the playoffs set to be underway but before getting ahead of themselves and embracing the fact that this team looks like a clear-cut favorite to win the title, they’ll have to take on Jayson Tatum.
Brian Babineau | Credit: NBAE via Getty Images
Tatum is coming off an unreal 50-point performance against the Wizards that powered Boston to the No. 7 seed. Expect the Celtics to keep that same energy against a talent-filled Nets roster capable of having anyone of their big three take over the game. Ultimately, it’s an open secret that Boston knows what they are up against but best believe they will give Brooklyn a run for their money.
I’m tempted to say that the Nets are absolutely capable of a sweep or taking care of business in no more than 5 games, however, I believe Tatum can give Boston a fighting chance as Brooklyn will still be trying to find a true identity for how Irving, Durant, and Harden can coincide on the court.
Prediction: Nets in 6
Knicks [4] vs. Hawks [5]
New York, it’s time. Playoff basketball is back in the Big Apple and best believe it’s here to stay. The Knicks are set to take on the Hawks in the opening round of the playoffs and right off the bat it’s tough to ignore that this is a favorable matchup. Say what you want but “the Mecca of basketball” has been restored and is only going to get better. The Knicks have already announced that their opening two games at Madison Square Garden have sold out at 15,000 capacity. Expect this young team to show up and show out in front of their home crowd.
It all starts with Julius Randle. The likely most improved player of the year has single-handedly changed the culture in New York putting up monster numbers.
Julius Randle this season
Randle will have to bring his ‘A-Game’ as the Hawks have Trae Young who has averaged 25.3 PPG, 9.4 APG while shooting 43.8% from the field. But interestingly enough the difference maker of this series could be Derrick Rose. The former MVP has found himself in a strong role late in the season averaging 18.2 points while shooting an astonishing
54.4% from the field and 51.1% from three over the last 10 games. If D-Rose can spread the ball and continue shooting efficiently, he can cause opposing defenses havoc especially with the way Randle has been playing all year long. I’m tempted to say the Knicks take care of business in six games, but this series has the potential to go to seven games. I’ll take the latter but still in favor of New York…
Prediction: Knicks in 7
76ers [1] vs. Wizards [8]
The truth about this matchup is that we really didn’t need to wait for the winner of the play-in tournament to know that Philly would win the opening round of the playoffs. The fact that it’s the Wizards makes it all the more interesting with more star power all across the floor. We know what the Wizards are capable of doing with Russell Westbrook and Bradley Beal both all-stars capable of going nuclear in any given game. The underlying storyline of this series is going to be Westbrook vs. Embiid just for the heck of it. But the reality of it is that the 76ers have an MVP candidate in Embiid and a DPOY candidate in Ben Simmons. I expect this new look Sixer squad led by Doc Rivers to dominate the series and get things done in no more than 5 games.
Mitchell Leff/Getty Images
