2018 NBA Playoffs: Conference Finals Predictions

Here are my predictions for the Conference Finals for the 2018 NBA Playoffs.

Eastern Conference
(2) Boston Celtics vs (4) Cleveland Cavaliers: The Celtics are coming off an impressive five game series win over the Philadelphia 76ers. The Cavaliers are coming off a four game sweep over the Toronto Raptors. There is perhaps going to a lot of offensive rebounds in this series in terms of the starts with Al Horford and Marcus Morris starting up front for Boston and Kevin Love at center and LeBron James at the four. The Cavs have JR Smith and Kyle Korver on the wings and they have to start get going for three to help LeBron out and George Hill has to be better too. The wing duo of Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum have been tremendous in this Celtics run as well as Terry Rozier, who has been brilliant filling in for the injured Kyrie Irving. The Celtics bench has played well in these playoffs although the Cavs bench needs to play well in this series. That said, the Cavs have the best player in the series with LeBron as the Cavs will reach their fourth straight finals although I won't be surprised if this goes seven or if the Celtics pull off this miraculous upset.
Prediction: Cavaliers in six games.

Western Conference
(1) Houston Rockets vs (2) Golden State Warriors: The Rockets are coming off a five game series win over the Utah Jazz. The Warriors are coming off a five game series win over the New Orleans Pelicans. The Rockets starting five is great with the dynamic backcourt of James Harden and Chris Paul, PJ Tucker and Trevor Ariza on the wing shooting threes, and Clint Capela protecting the rim. The Warriors starting five features there best five guys with their dynamic backcourt of Steph Curry and Klay Thompson, Andre Igoudala and Kevin Durant on the wing, and Draymond Green starting at center. The Rockets have the bench advantage with Eric Gordon, Luc Mbah a Moute, Ryan Anderson, and Gerald Green who can all shoot it from three. The Warriors bench isn't terrible and it has the likes of David West, Kevin Looney, Jordan Bell, and Shaun Livingston. That said, the Warriors "death lineup" which is now their starting five, in which the Rockets haven't seen the five together on the court will be the difference as they make their fourth straight finals setting yet another rematch with the Cavs, although I do give the Rockets a chance here with home court advantage.
Prediction: Warriors in six games.