2019 NBA Playoffs: Quarterfinals Predictions

Here are my predictions for the Quarterfinals of the 2019 NBA Playoffs.

Eastern Conference
(8) Detroit Pistons vs (1) Milwaukee Bucks: The Pistons and head coach Dwayne Casey deserve a ton of credit for getting here because they got off to a slow start and took advantage of the weak East to get here as well as Blake Griffin staying healthy for the most part of the season. Andre Drummond had a solid season for them as did oft injured point guard Reggie Jackson. Mid-season pickup Wayne Ellington provided much needed shooting from the perimeter for this team. The bench for this team is weak, but guys like Langston Galloway and Ish Smith could get hot. The Bucks meanwhile finished with the best record in the NBA as Giannis Antetokounmpo led the way for them. The supporting cast of Khris Middleton, Eric Bledsoe, Brook Lopez, and the currently injured Malcolm Brodgon and Nikola Mirotic provides shooting and good intensity too. Their bench which features guys like Tony Snell, Ersan Illaysova, and George Hill must step up with Brogdon and Mirotic hurt. Mike Budenholzer is the absolute perfect coach for this team and I think his team wins a short series against an inferior Pistons team.
Prediction: Bucks in five games.

(7) Orlando Magic vs (2) Toronto Raptors: The Magic are a team that hung in the Eastern Conference Playoff race throughout the season and won the games they had to win to get here. Nikola Vusevic had a career year this year as did Sixth Man of the Year candidate Terrance Ross. Evan Fournier, Aaron Gordon, and Jonathan Issacs are also solid players for the Magic. DJ Augustin isn't a great point guard, but he's a veteran that's played in playoff games before. Ross is clearly their best bench guy and lottery pick Mo Bomba should see some more playing time as the rest of their bench isn't good. The Raptors are absolutely great as Nick Nurse has done a great job replacing Dwayne Casey. Kawhi Leonard will be motivated as he's playing for a new max contract. Danny Green has been great in big games in his career. Kyle Lowry has had struggles in the playoffs in the past, but the Rpas will rely on Leonard heavily. Serge Ibaka has had a great resurgence this season and Pascal Siakam is a candidate for Most Improved Player. The Raps have a choice of who to start at center between Ibaka and Marc Gasol and neither is a bad option. Their bench is better than it's been in the past with guys like Fred Van Vleet, OG Anunoby, Jodie Meeks, and Norman Powell. That said, the Raptors are way better and more superior and I like them to win a short series.
Prediction: Raptors in four games.

(6) Brooklyn Nets vs (3) Philadelphia 76ers: The Nets, like the Magic are a team folks thought were going to be tanking this season, but here they are in the playoffs and Kenny Atkinson did a great job this season getting this team here. DeAngelo Russell will be a candidate for Most Improved Player as he's been their go to guy this season. Joe Harris is somebody that can shoot the three ball well. Rodions Kurucz has been a surprise rookie for the Nets who is feisty. DeMarre Carroll had a resurgence after the Raptors decided to dump his contract on to this team. Jarrett Allen is one of the more underrated big men in the league. Caris LaVert is their Sixth Man now that he's back from that gruesome injury. They have other vets coming off the bench such as Spender Dinwiddie and Jared Dudley. The Sixers are rightful favorites here as they have the conferences best starting five featuring Ben Simmons, JJ Redick, Jimmy Butler, Tobias Harris, and Joel Embiid. Their bench is better this year with reliable guys such as Amir Johnson, Jonathon Simmons, Mike Scott, and Boban Marjonovich. The Sixers are obviously the more superior and talented team, but with Embiid not 100%, I think this series goes a little longer than people think as the Nets could steal a few games.
Prediction: 76ers in six games.

(5) Indiana Pacers vs (4) Boston Celtics: The Pacers are a team that deserves credit for somewhat keeping themselves relevant after the devastating injury to Victor Oladipo. Bojan Bogdanovic stepped up his game in Oladipo's absense as well as mid-season pickup Wesley Matthews. Darren Collison is someone who's played in big playoff games in the past. Myles Turner is someone that has been inconsistent and hasn't lived up to his potential. The best big man on this team comes off the bench and that is Domontas Sabonis. The rest of their bench isn't great, but has guys that can get hot like Corey Joseph, Doug McDermott, and Tyreke Evans. The Celtics are team that disappointed in the regular season due to injuries and drama with their best player, Kyrie Irving. Gordon Hayward has finally showed signs of being himself again within the last few weeks. Al Horford is someone that's been in a ton of big games throughout his career. Jaylen Brown has played much better after a slow start to his season and Jayson Tatum is someone that has regressed after a great rookie season. Aron Baynes has been starting at center for them of late, who isn't that bad. The oblique injury to Marcus Smart is a huge loss for them as Brown will start. Terry Rozier and Marcus Morris haven't been consistent off the bench, but Hayward comes off the bench for them and he'll provide the secondary scoring. If Oladipo was healthy, I would have predicted a seven game series, but I like the C's to get this done in what should be a competitive series.
Prediction: Celtics in six games.

Western Conference
(8) Los Angeles Clippers vs (1) Golden State Warriors: Doc Rivers has to be the favorite for the Coach of the Year, especially after trading away Tobias Harris and the team continued to play well and avoided tanking. The three-point guard starting lineup with rookie Shae Gilgeous-Alexander, Patrick Beverley, and Landry Shamet has worked brilliantly for them to go with Danillo Gallinari and Ivica Zubac in the front court. Lou Williams, Garrett Temple, Wilson Chandler, and  Montrezl Harrell come off the bench for them. The Warriors are prohibited favorites to three-peat, although they had a strange regular season. Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Kevin Durant, Draymond Green, and DeMarcus Cousins is a dominant starting five and obviously the best in the league. Off the bench is Andre Igoudala, Quinn Cook, Jordan Bell, and Andrew Bogut. You can argue that the Clippers are the most frisky opponent the Warriors have had in the first round since Steve Kerr has been their coach, but the Dubs are much more superior as they'll win a short series.
Prediction: Warriors in five games.

(7) San Antonio Spurs vs (2) Denver Nuggets: The Spurs deserve a ton of credit for getting here after the trading of Kawhi Leonard and after their point guard DeJounte Murray tore his ACL and was lost for the season. DeMar DeRozan came over in the Leonard trade and has had a great season as he and LaMarcus Aldridge carried the team the whole season. Derrick White and Brynn Forbes are two guys Gregg Popovich got a ton out of this season as well as Jakob Poeltl, who occasionally starts for them at center. Rudy Gay is somebody that revitalized his career and is having a great season. Their bench is full of shooters such as Marco Belinelli, Davis Bertans, and Patty Mills. The Nuggets are finally back in the postseason for the first time in six seasons. Nikola Jokic has been one of the best big men in the league this season. The rest of the starting lineup featuring Jamal Murray, Gary Harris, Will Barton, and Paul Milsap. Malik Beasley has improved and has been great as a sixth man for this team. The rest of the bench is solid and it features Isaiah Thomas, Mason Plumlee, and Juan Hernangomez. This series has a chance to be great and I think the Nuggets win a very competitive series against a veteran lated Spurs team.
Prediction: Nuggets in seven games.

(6) Oklahoma City Thunder vs (3) Portland Trail Blazers: The Thunder have been a team that's been up and down all season. Paul George is a top five MVP candidate and was playing like a top 3 one a few months ago before he had his nagging shoulder injury. Russell Westbrook averaged a triple-double for the third straight season. Terrance Ferguson and Jerami Grant have been solid starters for them as well as Steven Adams. Their bench has been solid at times featuring Dennis Schroeder, Markieff Morris, and Nerlens Noel. Too bad Andre Roberson is likely to miss the remainder of the season due to that knee injury he suffered last year. The Blazers have exceeded many folks expectations yet again. Damien Lillard is having perhaps his best season yet and CJ McCollum has been solid this season as well. Mo Harkless and Al-Farouq Aminu has been a solid forward combo and too bad Jursuf Nurkic is out for the season with that gruesome leg injury. Enes Kanter will be solid offensively filling in for Nurkic. Their bench is not bad with guys like Jake Leyman, Seth Curry, Rodney Hood, and Zach Collins. The Thunder are 4-0 against the Blazers this season and I believe they'll get by them here in a competitive series.
Prediction: Thunder in six games.

(5) Utah Jazz vs (4) Houston Rockets: The Jazz are a very good team that is very well coached. Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert are two foundational players for them and Joe Ingles is one of the more underrated players in the game. Ricky Rubio has health questions and he's been solid for them. Derrick Favors has been solid for the Jazz as well. Their bench is full of veterans such as Kyle Korver, Jae Crowder, and Royce O'Neale. The Rockets got off to a slow start and nearly got the two seed in the West. James Harden has been sensational this season and has an excellent chance to repeat as MVP. Chris Paul and Clint Capela are back and playing up to par. Eric Gordon is starting for them now and has been pretty good as well as PJ Tucker. Their bench is solid too with Kenneth Faried, Gerald Green, and Austin Rivers. This should be a great series and could be the best one of the first round, but give me the Rockets here and Harden to be awesome.
Prediction: Rockets in six games.