The Beasts Of The East
May 21, 2021, 10:57 AM | Updated: 10:57 am
(Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
(Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
The NBA has finished up its portion of the Eastern Conference play-in games to set up the field of eight teams for their side of the playoff bracket.
We have a variety of teams entering the pool this year. There are teams that have under achieved in past playoffs, we have teams trying to find their groove again at this time of year, and a few making a return to the postseason for the first time in years.
The Eastern Conference promises to be a compelling watch as the rounds go on and the teams dwindle down to the precious remaining few. Here are my thoughts on the upcoming four series.
#1 Philadelphia 76ers vs. #8 Washington Wizards
When pitting a top seed vs. the last one in usually you have a mismatch. In the case of the 76ers and Wizards we have a mismatch here as well. When Philadelphia is right, and by right, I mean healthy, they are lethal. This year when they had their regular starting lineup of Curry, Green, Harris, Simmons and Embiid they were an impressive (27-5). Washington on the other hand has had to battle for weeks if not months to turn their season around. We will see how much they have left in the tank to handle Philly’s strong offense and defense. Embiid will be a problem and Thybulle and Simmons on the perimeter defensively should negate the powers of Beal and Westbrook.
Those two would have to be out of this world spectacular to do any kind of damage. They might for one game, but my pick is 76ers in 5.
#4 New York Knicks vs. #5 Atlanta Hawks
Two teams that are back in the postseason after a long hiatus. The Hawks are back for the first time since 2016 and the Knicks return for the first time since 2013. Credit to both Coach Thibodeau and McMillan for the teams turnarounds. New York has taken on Coach Tibs style. Gritty, physical and they will guard you. Atlanta has some of that but McMillan has polished the offense and has found the best groove for former King Bogdan Bogdanovic. This one is a tough call because it feels like Atlanta may have a little more overall talent than New York but I feel like New York will find a way. Every year there is a player that raises their profile even more come postseason time and this year I am looking at Julius Randle. I think he will flourish on the big stage.
It also may be the fact that the Knicks are going to have 15,000 fans at the home games and they will need that in Game 7. Knicks in 7.
#2 Brooklyn Nets vs. #7 Boston Celtics
Boston looked great in the second half of their play-in game with Washington. That earned them a spot in the postseason but it put them in a place where they have to play Brooklyn. The Nets swept them during the regular season and without Jaylen Brown this looks like a daunting task for the Celtics. Jayson Tatum will need to be great, Kemba Walker will have to be fantastic and Marcus Smart will need to do all the little things that he normally does to help Boston. The problem here is not only an overall talent discrepancy but where Brooklyn is vulnerable is inside. This is not a strength of the Celtics.
I can see Boston competing, finding a way to keep every game close but falling short in a competitive sweep. Nets in 4.
#3 Milwaukee Bucks vs. #6 Miami Heat
This series should be incredible. Nobody wants to play the Miami Heat. They are well coached, they get after you, they can draw on last year’s experience and they just feel dangerous. The Bucks spent two years earning the best record in the East only to fall short each time. This year they come in at three and have all the motivation in the world. Their roster tweaks should also help them in this series. Jrue Holiday is the key piece to their postseason success. Expect Miami to play zone and build a wall so Giannis has to hit jumpers, but the Bucks improved spacing will help things for Middleton and Holiday. The meetings this season Jimmy Butler did not play in any of them. Playoff Jimmy Butler is a thing and it is a great thing for Miami. Between his desire to keep the Heat in games and Bam’s overall talent this has the makings of a fantastic series.
In the end I don’t think Miami is as good as a year ago and the Bucks have a chip on their shoulder which should help them. Bucks in 6.
