The NBA season is barreling toward the 2023 playoffs with no shortage of storylines. The Mavericks, Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving galore., will not be there. Irving’s former Nets teammate, Kevin Durant will be, but in a Suns uniform. LeBron James and the Lake Show, which seemed hopeless at the All-Star break, had a late-season push to make the play-in tournament. The Bucks and Celtics are again the favorites in the east, but presumptive MVP Joel Embiid will try to change the narrative. Without further ado, here is what I predict will unfold.
Eastern Conference
Bucks over Heat
Barring any major injuries, the Bucks should coast in a short five or six-game series. Unlike last year, they are entering the playoffs healthy and have looked dominant all year. Playing a team coming from the play-in tournament should be a formality for Giannis Antetokoumpo, Jrue Holiday, Khris Middleton and Co. Playoff Jimmy Butler is a force to be reckoned with, but the Bucks are too strong.
Knicks over Cavs
I may have some bias here as a New Yorker, but the Knicks can beat the Cavs in what should be one of the most entertaining series of the first round. Donovan Mitchell, who though he’d be heading back to his hometown to play for the Knicks this offseason, will have a little extra determination and will be the best player on the floor. However, the Knicks depth is peaking at the right time, with players like Immanuel Quickley, Quentin Grimes and Obi Toppin complimenting the Jalen Brunson-Julius Randle 1-2 punch.
Sixers over Nets
Soon-to-be MVP Joel Embiid and company should coast in a short series against the new look Brooklyn Nets. Led by Mikal Bridges, the Nets have a promising future, but they are a couple years away from competing. A healthy Philadelphia team has sights set on becoming one of the powers of the East alongside Boston and Milwaukee.
Celtics over Hawks
There is sweep potential here, as Boston has looked like the best team in the league for many parts of the season. Trae Young won’t have enough help to overcome a supremely talented Boston team that has its sights set on a championship.
Round 2
Bucks in 5 over Knicks
Celtics in 6 over Sixers
Conference Finals
Celtics in 7 over Bucks
The Celtics and Bucks are on a collision course in the Eastern Conference. They have been the two best teams in the league all season and have established themselves as perennial contenders. This matchup is hard to predict, but the Celtics have a 2-1 edge on regular season matchups, including the most recent 41 points drubbing of the Bucks. Game 7 would be in Milwaukee if the series were to go the distance, but Boston has been good away from home and can get the job done.
Western Conference
Nuggets over Timberwolves
The Nuggets should coast by the reality TV show which is the Minnesota Timberwolves. Jokic, who could easily be the three-time reigning MVP if not for voter fatigue, will put the team on his back. If Anthony Edwards, KAT and Rudy Gobert play to their potential, this could be a long series. With that said, that probably won’t happen given the state of things in Minnesota right now.
Suns over Clippers
Landing Kevin Durant makes the Suns the team to beat in the Western Conference. The Clippers, with Paul George unlikely to play, will face an uphill battle against a formidable Phoenix team. Kawhi Leonard will need to be at the top of his game to give the Clippers any chance. This should be a quick series for the Suns.
Warriors over Kings
Experience matters in the playoff is one thing that the Kings do not have and that the Warriors have in spades. Even with the Kings being the 3-seed and the Warriors the 6-seed, Golden State will feel like the favorites. It’s hard to pick against the Warriors in the postseason, as I trust Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and company to get the job done in what could be a seven-game series.
Grizzlies over Lakers
The Lakers are certainly coming into the playoffs hot, but the now-experienced Memphis team led by Ja Morant will make life very difficult for L.A. The Grizzlies have one of the best defenses in the league, a unit anchored by DPOY candidate Jaren Jackson Jr. This series should go the distance and the LeBron in playoffs could easily make this pick an unsuccessful one.
Round 2
Suns in 6 over Nuggets
Warriors in 7 over Lakers
Conference Finals
Suns in 6 over Warriors
Kevin Durant vs. the Golden State Warriors in the Conference Finals would be a testament to how good the Warriors and Durant are at winning. The Warriors looked like a shell of themselves this season, but the playoff experience of the core and the stroke of Steph Curry can not be underestimated. With that said, the Suns are championship-or-bust, and they are the stronger team on paper.
The Finals Pick: Suns over Celtics
Suns in 7 over Celtics
The Suns have Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton; The Celtics have Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart. The former big three get the edge on talent and on chemistry. In a tight series, the Suns Big Three should come out on top, with two of the best scorers in the league in Durant and Booker.
The Celtics will fall just short again. The Suns will be rewarded with their efforts to acquire Durant midseason and can lift their franchise’s first-ever Larry O’ Brien trophy.
