2021 Playoffs 2nd Round Preview
Jul 8, 2021 12:33:49 GMT
Ian Noble, Walt Frazier, and 4 more like this
Post by Andrei Kirilenko on Jul 8, 2021 12:33:49 GMT
2021 Playoffs 2nd Round Preview
Yea, I was wrong on a lot of my predictions for the first round. So what? You gonna fight me about it?
1. Boston Celtics
61 wins, +7.8 differential, 48.8% FG, 430 lineup rating
5. Milwaukee Bucks
53 wins, +5.9 differential, 44.5% FG, 423 lineup rating
We've got the usual suspects matching up on the top side of the East, although it wasn't an easy path for either team to make it here. Each team boasts two 90+ players, and each team's supporting cast is riddled with injuries. We've seen both LeBron and AD carry teams to the finals in D5, so this matchup projects as another tossup. I'll give the slight advantage to Boston with home court and a higher rated team.
Prediction: Celtics in 7
3. Atlanta Hawks
54 wins, +5.3 differential, 45.6% FG, 413 lineup rating
2. Brooklyn Nets
58 wins, +9.7 differential, 48.3% FG, 447 lineup rating
The Hawks are one of the teams that really surprised me in Round 1, especially since I thought Charlotte was the 2nd strongest team in the entire league. Atlanta got a lot of production from Markkanen and Oubre, which may be tough to replicate against Kawhi and Paul George. The Hawks main issue here is the lack of 90+ players to battle against Brooklyn- a recipe that typically ends in a start to a team's summer. Despite struggling in R1, the Nets lineup is still the strongest in the league, and should be favored in this matchup.
Prediction: Nets in 6
1. Golden State Warriors
57 wins, +7.8 differential, 45.5% FG, 423 lineup rating
5. Sacramento Kings
43 wins, +0.3 differential, 44.4% FG, 420 lineup rating
The Warriors made quick work of the Lakers, whereas the Kings pulled off an epic victory against the Spurs in Game 7. Unfortunately for Sacramento, their reward is a date with the best team in the West. At just 43 wins and only a +0.3 point differential, the Kings don't have much of a shot here. Golden State has two 90+ players and a clear path to the conference finals with this matchup.
Prediction: Warriors in 5
6. New Orleans Pelicans
42 wins, +0.5 differential, 43.0% FG, 413 lineup rating
2. Houston Rockets
52 wins, +7.5 differential, 45.6% FG, 436 lineup rating
You know what's better than getting a 43 win team in the 2nd round? How about a 42 win team. After a hard fought 7 games against Memphis, the Rockets should be breathing a sigh of relief in this matchup, as the Pelicans likely present a lesser threat than the Grizzlies. Trae Young and co. might steal a game here, but I think they don't have the firepower to make this a competitive series against Joe Ingles and the Rockets.
Prediction: Rockets in 5