Saturday, November 21, 2015

Predicting the NBA Finals #1

It's only been a month since the NBA season began, and so far, you can already see a picture of the NBA Finals. From Chef Curry and the Warriors' hot start to the 76ers' 0-13 start, the NBA hasn't been too surprising. Here's our picks for the NBA Playoffs, using the current NBA standings. It's my first of 8 NBA Finals Predictions, coming at you now.

Western Conference 
1.Golden State Warriors
2.San Antonio Spurs
3.Dallas Mavericks
4.Phoenix Suns
5.Memphis Grizzlies
6.Oklahoma City Thunder
7.Utah Jazz
8.Los Angeles Clippers

Eastern Conference
1.Cleveland Cavaliers
2.Chicago Bulls
3.Atlanta Hawks
4.Miami Heat
5.Indiana Pacers
6.Detroit Pistons
7.Boston Celtics
8.Toronto Raptors


Western Conference Quarterfinals

1.Golden State Warriors vs Los Angeles Clippers
Some say it's the greatest rivalry in the NBA right now. However, this may not be the case. The Clippers can compete with the Warriors, except until the fourth quarter. Stephen Curry, the reigning MVP, has been playing amazing lately. The Clippers cannot close out at home or at Oracle. The Warriors have won twice in their two match ups, and the way Stephen Curry played in the playoffs last year and the way he's been playing so far this year, the Clippers don't stand much of a chance.
Pick: Warriors (4-1)

2.San Antonio Spurs vs Utah Jazz
So far, the Jazz's biggest highlight has been Rudy Gobert being dunked on by Demar Derozan. The Spurs have been playing well, with LaMarcus Aldridge averaging around 15 points and 10 rebounds a game. Other than being dunked on, Rudy Gobert has been playing pretty well, averaging around 9 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 blocks a game. However, the Spurs' amazing coaching staff, beautiful ball movement, and the historic Big 3 as well as Kawhi Leonard are just too much to stop.
Pick: Spurs (4-2)

3.Dallas Mavericks vs Oklahoma City Thunder
Westbrook and Durant are two of the most amazing scorers in the NBA. However, The Mavericks have been playing exceptionally well, looking like they want to deliver another Larry O'Brien trophy to Dirk before he retires. Deron Williams, Wesley Matthews, and Dirk are consistently helping the Mavericks win games. The Mavericks are playing at a high level, too high for the Thunder to stop.
Pick: Mavericks (4-2)

4.Phoenix Suns vs Memphis Grizzlies
With the Suns' young backcourt of Brandon Knight and Eric Bledsoe playing at very high levels, the Suns look like a sleeper in the playoffs. Marc Gasol is playing pretty well, recently netting a triple double. Mike Conley, an underrated point guard, is putting up good numbers as well, averaging around 15 points and 7 assists a game. I think the Suns take the win in this series, but by a small margin
Pick: Suns (4-3)

Eastern Conference Quarterfinals

1.Cleveland Cavaliers vs Toronto Raptors
LeBron James is averaging 27 points, 7 assists, and 7 rebounds a game, a chance for a triple double every time he steps out onto the court. LeBron, as usual, looks like an MVP candidate. The Toronto Raptors' young backcourt of Kyle Lowry and Demar Derozan is looking great, both of the players averaging over 20 points a game. However, Kyrie will come back strong, and even without him, the Cavaliers have arguably the best player in the world with a mustache on their team. 
Pick: Cavaliers (4-3)

2.Chicago Bulls vs Boston Celtics
With Isaiah Thomas playing well, averaging around 20 points and 6 assists a game, the Celtics are a decent team. However, the Bulls are beyond decent. Even with Derrick Rose injured, the Bulls are playing great. Jimmy Butler has stepped up to take the reigns in Chicago, leading the team to several wins, averaging 21 points a game. The Bulls are a great defensive team, and should be able to close out the Celtics.
Pick: Bulls (4-1)

3.Atlanta Hawks vs Detroit Pistons
Andre Drummond is playing at an insane level right now, averaging 19 points and 18 rebounds a game, being the Pistons' best player right now. The Hawks' young point guard Dennis Schroder is playing well, and he's  a big reason the Hawks are doing well right now. However, The Motor City and their prized young center look like a threat in the playoffs.
Pick: Pistons (4-3)

4.Miami Heat vs Indiana Pacers
A few years ago, this rivalry was intense, when LeBron James was on the Heat. However, now, the Miami Heat have former Finals MVP Dwyane Wade and young star Hassan Whiteside to lead their team. The Indiana Pacers have newly acquired Monta Ellis and a returning Paul George to lead their team. This matchup is even, but the way Paul George has been playing, averaging 25 points and 8 rebounds a game, this Pacers team looks to have a slight edge.
Pick: Pacers (4-3)

Western Conference Semifinals

1.Golden State Warriors vs Phoenix Suns
The Warriors are on pace to have one of the greatest seasons in NBA history. The Suns are playing great basketball, but the Warriors are on a level. Stephen Curry, the reigning MVP and leading MVP candidate, is averaging 33 points a game. With Stephen Curry playing like that, no other team in the NBA stands much of a chance. Bledsoe is good, but Curry is great.
Pick: Warriors (4-1)

2.San Antonio Spurs vs Dallas Mavericks
The San Antonio Spurs won the title the season before last, and are always contenders. The Mavericks have been playing on a high level as well, but the Spurs' team has more experience and just more talent with young stars like Kawhi Leonard, to dominant players like LaMarcus Aldridge, to the legendary Big 3, Tony Parker, Tim Duncan, and Manu Ginobili.
Pick: Spurs (4-1)

Eastern Conference Semifinals

1.Cleveland Cavaliers vs Indiana Pacers
LeBron James and the Cavaliers made it to the NBA Finals last season, and didn't face too many difficult match ups in the Eastern Conference. The Pacers bring Paul George and Monta Ellis, a dominant scoring attack. The Cavaliers bring Kyrie Irving and LeBron James, two of the best in the league. LeBron just has too much experience and too much talent to lose.
Pick: Cavaliers (4-0)

2.Chicago Bulls vs Detroit Pistons
The Bulls are one of the best defensive teams in the NBA and have the talented Jimmy Butler to lead their team. When Derrick Rose is healthy, which is rare nowadays, he is dominant. The Detroit Pistons and their talented young team featuring the league leader in rebounding, Andre Drummond, have a chance against this Bulls team. Making my boldest prediction so far, I think that the Pistons are a talented team with a chance at the title.
Pick: Pistons (4-2)

Western Conference Finals

1.Golden State Warriors vs San Antonio Spurs
This is a great match up. The young Warriors team with superstar Stephen Curry facing off against the likes of Tony Parker and the Spurs. Curry has shown his clutch skill, hitting game winner after game winner in so many contests. The Spurs have more talent at the big man positions, with LaMarcus Aldridge and Tim Duncan to lead the team. However, the Warriors' explosive backcourt also dominates the Spurs'. The way the Warriors are playing right now, no team can stop them. However, the Spurs will come close.
Pick: Warriors (4-2)

Eastern Conference Finals

1.Cleveland Cavaliers vs Detroit Pistons
The Pistons are young and talented, but the Cavaliers are great. LeBron brings a prominent scorer to the team, Kyrie brings a young point guard, and J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert bring two key players to the Cavaliers. Drummond has been playing well, but not nearly as well as the Cavaliers play in the Finals. If necessary, LeBron can carry any team to a win.
Pick: Cavaliers (4-2)

NBA Finals: Golden State Warriors vs Cleveland Cavaliers
  
Game 1 @ Golden State
In this game, I think the Cavaliers' advantage at the big man position with Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson make it difficult for the Warriors to stop them. Stephen Curry scores more than 20 points, but so does Kyrie. The Cavaliers take a key victory at Oracle Arena.
Pick: Cavaliers

Game 2 @ Golden State
After the Cavaliers win, I think the Warriors come back with a 30+ point performance by each of the Splash Brothers. LeBron rallies to score 25, but it isn't enough to pick up the win at Oracle Arena. The Warriors tie the series.
Pick: Warriors

Game 3 @ Cleveland
The Warriors, coming off a win and big performance by the Splash Brothers, have another great game with Curry scoring 30 and Klay scoring 20. Kyrie and LeBron combine to score 40, but it isn't enough as the Warriors take the key win at Quicken Loans Arena.
Pick: Warriors

Game 4 @ Cleveland
After picking up a victory at Quicken Loans Arena again, the Warriors are on fire and have a lot of momentum going into the game. LeBron scores 30, while Curry and Klay combine to score 50 points. The Warriors win by a large margin, and take a big 2-game lead in the series.
Pick: Warriors

Game 5 @ Golden State
The Cavaliers step up when they need to, and the Big 3 of Kevin Love, Kyrie Irving, and LeBron James combine to score 60 points. The Splash Brothers combine to score 40, and the Cavaliers pick up a huge win to force a Game 6.
Pick: Cavaliers

Game 6 @ Cleveland
The Warriors need another win to close the series, however the Cavaliers are not losing again. Kyrie scores a huge 40 points to blow out the Warriors in Cleveland to force a Game 7.
Pick: Cavaliers

Game 7 @ Golden State
The Cavaliers have momentum going into the game, but Curry is focused and determined to net the win. The Warriors pick up the victory to win the NBA Finals and defeat the Cavaliers, with the Splash Brothers combine to score 40 points in the victory.
Pick: Warriors
Finals MVP: Stephen Curry

As of right now, the Warriors are undefeated and don't look like they're going to lose. The Cavaliers look like the dominant Eastern Conference team bound to reach the NBA Finals, but the Warriors are just unstoppable. With Curry putting up insane numbers, I pick the Warriors to win the NBA Finals as of right now. As the season goes on, I will update my picks, so look out for another prediction post in a few weeks!
 
 

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