NBA Perfect 10-Conference Finaals
We are finally down to the NBA’s version of the Final Four as the Celtics get set to host the Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals and the Nuggets ready for the Lakers in the Western Conference Finals. Let’s take a look at each series and which teams will advance to the NBA Finals.
Eastern Conference Finals
#8 Miami vs. #2 Boston: Miami has seemingly arrived at the Eastern Conference finals on a wing and a prayer. Jimmy Butler has been the most dominating force in the playoffs and willed the Heat to this point. Kyle Lowry has looked better than he has in at least two years while role players like Kenyon Martin, Duncan Robinson, and Gabe Vincent have played their roles brilliantly.
Boston reached the ECF for the fifth time in seven seasons after a dominating performance at both ends of the floor in game 7 to take down Philadelphia. Jayson Tatum scored 51 points on Sunday and Boston completely neutralized Joel Embiid and James Harden to move on. Brown and Tatum have been excellent while the Celtics have struggled to get consistent play out of the likes of Derrick White, Malcolm Brogdon, and Al Horford.
This series comes down to depth. One thing the Heat exposed about the Knicks was New York’s overrated depth. In truth, once Immanuel Quickley went down, the Knicks were relegated to Quentin Grimes as their primary scoring guard off the bench. Boston has White, Brogdon, and even the occasional outbursts from Grant Williams off the bench as scorers. Eventually, that depth will spell the difference in a series that will be tighter than expected because of the heart of Butler and the coaching of Erik Spoelstra.
Prediction: Boston in Six.
Conference/NBA Title Odds: Boston (-525, +100)
Western Conference Finals
#7 LA Lakers vs. #1 Denver: The Lakers simply manhandled the smaller Golden State Warriors in the semifinals, continuously driving to the basket and feeding Anthony Davis in the post. LeBron James still paces the Lakers in scoring but it has been Davis that has dominated the interior with over 14 rebounds and 3 blocks per game in the playoffs. LA has also gotten solid production out of its bench in the playoffs with Rui Hachimura, Dennis Schroder, and Lonnie Walker IV all having made solid contributions.
The Nuggets have been the forgotten team nearly all season despite finishing with the best record in the Western Conference. They quickly dismantled the Timberwolves in round one and simply beat up a favored Phoenix team in the semifinals. The Lakers have had the luxury of playing two smaller teams in Memphis and Golden State in the first two rounds but here comes the Joker. Nikola Jokic has been a triple-double machine in the playoffs and could be a huge problem for Davis. I have liked the Nuggets since my preseason predictions because of their depth and the shooters they’ve got around Jokic. Jamal Murray’s return to form makes them a team that can lay claim to the title.
Prediction: Nuggets in Six.
Conference/NBA Title Odds: Denver (-155, +240)
Check back next week and we will check our picks and make updates if necessary.
In parenthesis, conference odds and finals odds. All odds Courtesy of Draftkings.com.
By Mark Ruelle
