Staff Picks: Which teams will be in the NBA Finals?
Dalton Renshaw – @dren_sports
One thing is clear — the Warriors are still the favorites to go to the finals. I’m not going to spend a lot of time talking about them or the western conference. But, let me just quickly say this. I think it’s going to be Warriors v Thunder in the west final. Even though the Rockets are still the toughest challengers to the Warriors, slipping to the fourth seed means they will likely meet in the second round. I still see the Warriors advancing, however, we’ll see if James Harden decides to show up in the playoffs this year. That’s the Rockets’ only hope.
The east is a little more interesting. The Bucks are the overwhelming favorites — along with the best record in the league they were leaders in defensive net rating and fourth in offensive net rating — but the Raptors pose a serious threat. With the injuries to Brogdon and Mirotic, possibly lasting throughout the playoffs, the Bucks are a little less lethal. WIth a healthy roster, some might consider the Raptors favorites. But, if you’re asking me to choose who I have more faith in — Kawhi or Giannis — the greek freak gets my vote.
Warriors in six over the Bucks for the NBA Finals. Steph earns his first Finals MVP and they send KD to the Knicks with a third straight ring. Mark it down.
Jaden Johnson – @jadenjohnson00
I had a lot of the same thoughts as Dalton when it comes to the Eastern Conference playoffs. The Pacers were playing great basketball, but without Oladipo they won’t make it out of the first round. Philadelphia has a lot of nice pieces, but they’re not consistent enough to win a seven-game series against a good team. Boston could be a dark horse, and they’re playing much better basketball as of late, but for me it comes down to the Raptors and Bucks. I’ll go with a Raptors team with a ton of playoff experience in that series.
In the west, I’d be lying if I said it isn’t tempting to make a flashy pick and choose against Golden State. But let’s be real. Houston will probably push them a bit in the second round, but the Warriors will sweep whoever their Western Conference Finals opponent pans out to be, and they win the NBA Finals in five games.
Jason Walker – @thejwalk67
People who aren’t picking the Warriors to come out of the Western Conference are either delusional or simply trying to get attention through a hot take. With the Rockets simply not the same team on defense they don’t have the ability to push Golden State to the brink of elimination. Plus, I don’t trust James Harden to carry any team through three playoff series in the West.
The Eastern Conference presents a much more interesting playoff picture. Milwaukee and Toronto are top favorites to pull through, but Boston and Philadelphia certainly have a shot if they play great basketball during April and May. However, I think the Bucks will be triumphant in the East.
Should the Golden State and Milwaukee meet I expect it to be a fantastic series. Sure, Giannis doesn’t have playoff experience which is something stars need to have to win deep in the playoffs. But I think the Bucks will push the Warriors to seven games. Unfortunately I don’t have the balls to pick the Bucks to win it all, the Warriors will win again.