The NBA Playoffs are just under a month away and this season’s series is shaping up as one of the most unpredictable yet.
There’s the fight for seeds in the West, Jimmy Butler’s injury woes, and what in the world is going on in Cleveland.
Here are my five bold predications for the 2018 NBA Playoffs.
Harden breaks Jordan’s record
NBA Hall of Famer Michael Jordan currently holds the sing-game playoff scoring record, thanks to his 63-point effort against the Celtics in Game 2 of the 1986 Eastern Conference quarter-finals.
Expect the 32-year-old record to be broken by projected 2018 MVP James Harden.
‘The Beard’ has been scoring for fun this season, averaging 31 points per game, headlined by back-to-back 50-point games and his notorious 60-point triple-double.
Often criticised for not showing up in big games, Harden will be out to prove his critics wrong and with Houston poised to make a deep playoff run, the Rockets guard will take his offensive game to another level and break MJ’s record.
Sixers steal a series
The endurance Philadelphia fans have displayed through ‘The Process’ finally appearances set to reap rewards.
Led by All Star Joel Embiid and Aussie sensation Ben Simmons, the 76ers currently sit sixth in the Eastern Conference, with a 39-30 record.
They have been more than competitive and with the late additions of sharpshooters Marco Belinelli and Ersan Ilyasova, Brett Brown’s side have the veteran playoff experience that they desperately lacked.
If the cards fall the Sixers’ way and they avoid the Cavs in the first round, then snag a series against a John Wall-less Wizards outfit or an untested Indiana Pacers side, Philly have a serious chance.
AP Photo/Kim Raff
Warriors out early
Most people have the Golden State versus Houston pencilled in for the 2018 Western Conference Finals.
But the Spurs, Trailblazers, Timberwolves, Nuggets, Jazz, Thunder, Clippers and the Rockets have all come out victorious against the defending champions at least once this season.
Golden State have been beaten convincingly a number of times, including a 30-point drubbing at the hands of possible first-round opponents, Utah.
Concerns also remain around two-time MVP Stephen Curry’s right ankle, which he injured four times throughout the regular season. Kevin Durant, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson have also missed games recently due to injury.
An unhealthy Warriors side is going to have problems in a stacked Western Conference.
If they are left with an unfavourable match-up in the first two rounds, and the injury issues continue, the Warriors could be set for an early exist.
Houston Rocket in the Wild West
Houston has rocketed to the top of the NBA with a league-best 56-14 record, setting them up as the Golden State’s biggest threat.
The Rockets have only dropped eight games to conference opponents and have Mike D’Antoni’s three-point orientated gameplan firing on all cylinders.
Led by stars James Harden and Chris Paul, and littered with high-class bench players like Eric Gordon, Gerald Green and Joe Johnson, Houston have only lost one game following the All Star break.
Anticipate them to taking out the Western Conference with ease.
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LeBron fails to make the NBA Final, but so do the Celtics
LeBron James has ruled the East since 2010 – nothing screams dominance like seven-straight NBA Finals appearances.
But in 2018 ‘The King’ will fail to make basketball’s biggest showdown – though not due to the Celtics.
It’s no secret that Cleveland are not the same championship-winning team of 2016, but with the Celtics struggling with injuries and lacking playoff experience, expect the Toronto Raptors to be crowned champions of the East.
It’s not often a conference-leading side fly as under-the-radar as the Raptors have this season. While the media have focused on the vulnerability of the Cavs and Boston’s injury problems, Toronto have all but secured the number one seed in the East.
The Raptors have titivated their offence this season, with All Star guard DeMar DeRozan empowered to take more three-point shots.
Since the New Year, DeRozan is attempting 4.4 three-point shots a game, up from 1.7 last season and is drawing more attention, giving his teammates more space and creating a free flowing offence.
The Raptors now have the best offensive rating and second-best defensive rating in the conference as well as the statistically best bench in the NBA.
If Toronto’s revamped offence carries into the Playoffs, the Raptors deserve the favourites tag in the East.
Pelican
Guest
Oh yeah!
express34texas
Guest
GS did gel remarkably well in 2017 for regular season and playoffs. Curry usually tires towards the end of every season. GS didn't need him to win in 2017. Obviously, Durant is GS best player now, what's wrong with that? Someone has to be. GS never played better before 2017. First hand, Durant signed with GS in free agency, he wasn't traded to GS. Second, why would Silver not allow it? He shouldn't have any influence in any trade anyway. Got to get your facts straight first. The Paul trade to LAL shouldn't have been vetoed either, and that was with Stern in office, too. The NBA were owners of the Hornets when the proposed trade of Paul to LAL occurred, big difference. Stern shouldn't have gotten involved in the first place though.
Swampy
Guest
Bucks to finish 8th and knock the raptors out in the first round. Take it to the bank.
At work
Roar Rookie
Express, yes I was getting confused with my years. I just think they played so perfectly together before Durant come across (not that I particularly enjoyed the way they played), once Durant joined it turned into his team with some really strong support players and hence risking the way the team gels. Part of my issue is the fact Silver (?) even allowed the trade to happen, it was madness. Remember the league stopped Chris Paul signing for the Lakers years ago, why not stay consistent.
express34texas
Guest
At work, you're all over the place, not sure what you're saying. In your first comment, you're saying GS is weaker with Durant, but now saying they're better and having Durant is awesome when the other stars are struggling. Which is it? That 2016 GS team without Durant choked in the Finals, and then only lose 1 game for the entire 2017 playoffs. This is kind of ironic since Durant often came up short in the playoffs when with OKC, and blew a 3-1 lead against GS in the 2016 WCF. And from what you're saying, it seems like you think this Durant's 1st season with GS. It's actually his 2nd season with GS. And no, it'd be pretty hard for them to improve from 2017, but certainly doable. They've been injured a bunch this year, and many of the players are coming off of multiple consecutive trips to the Finals, meaning that's a lot of extra games and they're getting worn down some. I'm kind of confused what you're saying about Durant. At least last year in 2017, it seemed like Durant fused with everyone else very well.
The Palace Lads
Roar Rookie
"Philly have a serious chance." That is a genuine yarn surely. "BEST FIRST QUATER TEAM IN THE LEAGUE" - KELLAND 2018. This team couldn't win a competitive fourth quarter even if the other team sat down...
At work
Roar Rookie
Of course they’re better with Durant, they added a top 3 player to a team which just won the most wins in a season ever. BUT, can they realistically improve on how good they were last year... Obviously what it means is when the shots aren’t going down for Curry and Klay, Durant can just do what he does easily and score freely. Anyway time will tell how they go in the playoffs.
express34texas
Guest
Why does PHI have to avoid CLE to win a 1st round series? In theory, it might make a little sense, but they're only 1.5 games behind CLE currently. And CLE is 18-21 in their last 39 games. They look like the most beatable of any playoff team right now. Will be interesting to see what seed every team falls into. There's a logjam for several spots in each conference.
express34texas
Guest
Come on at work, GS is obviously better with Durant. GS has just had a lot of injuries to deal with this year, which is the only way they don't at least make the WCF.
At work
Roar Rookie
Why can't Harden score 64 in a game, Houston score for fun and he lead's in that regard. I hope he doesn't but I think it's not crazy to imagine it possible.
Joey b
Guest
Prior to the season, the Warriors went 16 and 1 in the playoffs and Durant was finals MVP. The season before that, without Durant, they blew a 3-1 lead
Joey b
Guest
Yes they have. Not sure what you've been watching.
Joey b
Guest
And no way is Harden beating MJ's record.
At work
Roar Rookie
Have they though, or is it now just a team of stars lead by Durant at the expense of a team that has gelled very well prior to this season....
Joey b
Guest
What a complete load of crap! The warriors have improved dramatically with the addition of Durant. They're just more focussed on the playoffs rather than regular season records now. If fit, the Warriors are a lock for the title. The only chance any other team has against them is if their injury woes continue, however I have a feeling all will be back on board by the opening round and they will steamroll their way to another championship.
At work
Roar Rookie
What a dream it'll be if the Warriors fail to even make the conference finals. Who would have thought adding Durant would make them weaker, but in hindsight you could say it ruined the way their played and Durant natuarrly took over as the leader. I can see Harden beating Jordan's record and then taking Houston to the title.