2019 NBA Playoffs: Semifinal Predictions

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

Eastern Conference
(4) Boston Celtics vs (1) Milwaukee Bucks: This should be some series between two teams that met in the first round a year ago. The Celtics are coming off a four game sweep over the Indiana Pacers, who lost their best player in Victor Oladipo due to a torn achilles mid-season. The Bucks are coming off a four game sweep over the Detroit Pistons. The Celtics played very well on both ends in the first round. Their core of Kyrie Irivng, Gordon Hayward, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, and Al Horford played well as a whole. Role players such as Marcus Morris stepped up as well and they might be getting Marcus Smart back some point in this series. The Bucks were amazing on both ends as Giannis Antetokounmpo led the way and they wound up getting Nikola Mirotic back from injury to help Giannis and the rest of the core with guys like Khris Middleton, Brook Lopez, and Eric Bledsoe. Malcolm Brogdon might be back for this round for the Bucks which would make their bench deeper. I think this will be a phenomenal series that will go to distance and Giannis's breakthrough in a big stage continues to grow as I like the Bucks to advance to their first conference final since 2001.
Prediction: Bucks in seven games.

(3) Philadelphia 76ers vs (2) Toronto Raptors: I think this is going to be a fun series as well. The 76ers are coming off a five game series win over the Brooklyn Nets. The Raptors are coming off a five game series win over the Orlando Magic. The 76ers didn't have Joel Embiid healthy, but he has contributed in a major way. Ben Simmons, Jimmy Butler, JJ Reddick, and Tobias Harris have all stepped up big time too. Role players such as Bojan Marjonovich, Greg Monroe, and Jhonathan Simmons stepped up too. After losing game one, the Raptors have been awesome led by their main six of Kawahi Leonard, Kyle Lowry, Pascal Siakam, Marc Gasol, Serge Ibaka, and Danny Green. They survived the loss of OG Anouby, who we mash see back in this round. Guys like Norman Powell and Fred Van Vleet did their jobs. That said, this should be fun and competitive and I like the Raptors to go to the Conference Finals for the second time in four years.
Prediction: Raptors in six games.

Western Conference
(4) Houston Rockets vs (1) Golden State Warriors: This is going to be some rematch of last years Western Conference Finals. The Warriors coming off a six game series win over the gritty Los Angeles Clippers. The Rockets are coming off a five game series win over the Utah Jazz. The Rockets look like the hungriest team in the playoffs with James Harden, Chris Paul, Clint Capela, PJ Tucker, and Eric Gordon. Bench players such as Kenneth Faried and Gerard Green will have impacts in this series. The Warriors have been a little inconsistent these past few weeks, but Kevin Durant has been amazing meanwhile Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson are banged up and DeMarcus Cousins is out for the rest of the playoffs with a torn quad. Draymond Green has been solid and looked like him old self of late. Role players such as Andre Igoudala, Andrew Bogut, and Quinn Cook must step up for the Dubs. That said this should be a great series and I like the Warriors, sans Thompson having a bad ankle to make their fifth consecutive conference finals.
Prediction: Warriors in six games.

(3) Portland Trail Blazers vs (2) Denver Nuggets: Here we have a sneaky great series. The Trail Blazers are coming off an impressive five game series win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Nuggets are coming off a seven game series win over the San Antonio Spurs. Damien Lillard has been the best player of the playoffs so for and CJ McCollum, Al-Farouq Aminu, Maurice Harkless, and Enes Kanter have done their jobs. Their bench needs to step up like it did last round with guys like Seth Curry, Rodney Hood, Jake Layman, and Zach Collins. The Nuggets core led by Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Gary Harris have been great. Paul Milsap has been a solid vet and the move to the sixth man for Will Barton has worked so far in playoff play. Role players such as new starter Torrey Craig, Malik Beasley, Isaiah Thomas, Monte Morris, Mason Plumlee, and Juan Hernangomez must step up. That said, Lillard is unstoppable right now and I like the Trail Blazers to advance to their first conference finals in nineteen years.
Prediction: Trail Blazers in six games.