SneakerReporter 2022-23 NBA Playoffs: Eastern Conference Finals Prediction

SneakerReporter 2022-23 NBA Playoffs: Eastern Conference Finals Prediction

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by | May 15, 2023 | Featured, NBA

No. 2  Boston Celtics Vs No. 8 Miami Heat

The Eastern Conference Finals will feature the Miami Heat taking on the Boston Celtics for a chance to advance to the NBA Finals. 

The Miami Heat have been one of the most impressive teams in the playoffs this year as they are the number 8 seed in the East. They knocked out the number 1 seeded Milwaukee Bucks in the first round and the New York Knicks in 6 games in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Jimmy Butler has single handedly put the Miami Heat on his back as the Heat are without Tyler Herro a reliable offensive player. The Heat have a difficult task at hand as they take on the Celtics who have a very well put together roster. If the Heat want any chance at winning this series they’ll have to play as a team like they did in the Knicks series and not just rely heavily on Butler.

The Celtics were on the brink of elimination in game 6 and 7 and found a way to win the series against the Philadelphia 76ers. Game 6 in the fourth quarter is where things really changed for the Celtics, the Celtics were having a tough game and Tatum was having one of his worst games of his playoff career that is until Tatum turned up the heat and forced a game 7 in which they had home court advantage. Though the 76ers are a tougher team than the Heat, the Celtics cannot underestimate this Miami Heat team as they’ve fought their way to the Eastern Conference finals and have not played like an eighth seed. The Celtics will have to rely on other players scoring the ball but Tatum and double team Butler to limit their biggest star.

Series Prediction: Boston Win in 6 games (4-2)

May 15, 2023 No Comments
NBA 2023 Eastern Conference Playoffs Semi-Finals Prediction

NBA 2023 Eastern Conference Playoffs Semi-Finals Prediction

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by | Apr 29, 2023 | Featured, NBA

No. 2 Boston Celtics Vs No. 3 Philadelphia 76ers 

The Boston Celtics took on the Atlanta Hawks in the first round and won in 6 games, but the Celtics statistically have one of the league’s best defenses and struggled against Trae Young and the Hawks. The Celtics do indeed have a very talented roster from top to bottom and will have to be in their best form to beat the 76ers. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown will look to lead the way offensively for the Celtics in case they can’t stop Joel Embiid defensively. 

The 76ers offensively have Embiid who is nearly unstoppable in the paint and James Harden who’s turned up the heat in the playoffs. The 76ers team is full of players who can shoot the ball efficiently, but there’s probably nobody who can hold Embiid under 20 points on the Celtics. As long as the 76ers stay healthy they can pose a serious threat for the Celtics as they are the reigning Eastern Conference Champions who lost in the finals just last year. 

Series Prediction: Boston Celtics Win in 7 Games (4-3)

No. 5 New York Knicks Vs No. 8 Miami Heat

The Miami Heat were the 8 seed in the playoffs but didn’t seem that way when they knocked out the number 1 seeded Milwaukee Bucks. The Heat beat the Bucks in five games. Jimmy Butler was red hot in the series against the Bucks despite losing Tyler Herro and Victor Oladipo to injury. This Heat team does have some good chemistry but will have to rely less on Butler in case the Knicks shut him down defensively. 

The Knicks absolutely dominated the Cleveland Cavaliers and won the series (4-1), they will have home court advantage and their fans have rallied behind them. Jalen Brunson has been on a mission with the Knicks as he’s led them to an impressive playoff run so far. They’ll have to take on Butler who has been one of the best scorers in the playoffs this year, so defensively they may have their hands full with the likes of Butler and Bam Adebayo. 

Series Prediction: Miami Heat Win in 6 games (4-2)

Apr 29, 2023 No Comments
Timberwolves Win Thriller In Overtime To Send The Series Back To Denver (114-108)

Timberwolves Win Thriller In Overtime To Send The Series Back To Denver (114-108)

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by | Apr 24, 2023 | Featured, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA

The Minnesota Timberwolves came into this game with their backs against the wall down 3-0 to the number one seed Denver Nuggets. In a game that they desperately need Minnesota had it’s stars shine the brightest.

 

This was one of the best playoff games I’ve covered in recent memory as both teams were hitting each other with some haymakers like this was the Tank Davis boxing match all over again. The Minnesota Timberwolves made it a mission to be aggressive from the start and they did that by getting Nikola Jokic in foul trouble. But even with foul trouble the Joker still was able to stay in the game and be affective finding his teammates but also creating his own offense in a chance to close out the series. Usually it’s Jamal Murray who’s making the big shots for Denver but tonight it was the 2-time MVP Nikola Jokic who was able to put the team on his back. Murray was hitting some tough shots but his point total didn’t reflect the impact especially when it comes to his teammate Nikola Jokic. This was a back and forth battle as both teams wanted this win badly. The Joker led his team in multiple categories finishing with 43 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists but it wasn’t enough to get the job done in overtime.

 

The Minnesota Timberwolves fought all night long and they were led by Anthony Edwards who was sensational tonight. You can tell Edwards was playing with a different type of confidence and swagger tonight. He was playing like a man that didn’t want to let his teammates down and he didn’t want to get swept. Edwards hit big shot after big shot tonight and was able to will the Timberwolves to the win. Edwards finished with 34 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists tonight. The Timberwolves gave the Minnesota crowd a scare as they were up by 12 with 2 minutes left and the Nuggets forced overtime but that’s where Minnesota shined the most.

 

Nickeil Alexander Walker was the player of the game as he hit two timely 3 pointers and got a charge that cemented the lead for the Timberwolves. NAW was ready for his moment when his number was called and knocked those shots down. The Timberwolves were up by 1 point and got the ball back with less than a minute to go when Anthony “H1M” Edwards showed up with one of the most clutch shots of his career. He hit a huge 3 to give the Timberwolves the 4 point lead as they didn’t look back after that capturing the win. Karl Anthony Towns fouled out but they still made a way to pull out the win in clutch time. Rudy Gobert also pulled in another double double with 14 points and 15 rebounds.

 

The Timberwolves have to take this series a game at a time if they want to make history.

 

 

 

Photo Credit: (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)

 

Apr 24, 2023 No Comments
The Denver Nuggets Hold On To Beat Minnesota Despite Edwards 41 Point Performance (122-113)

The Denver Nuggets Hold On To Beat Minnesota Despite Edwards 41 Point Performance (122-113)

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by | Apr 20, 2023 | Featured, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA

The Minnesota Timberwolves came into this game against the Denver Nuggets down 1-0 in the series. Tonight they needed a huge bounce back to regain some confidence and momentum heading back home for Game 3.

 

The Denver Nuggets came out hot and didn’t look back as they had the Minnesota Timberwolves on the heels on both ends. It was Jamal Murray, who took over the game for the Denver Nuggets, and looked exactly how you looked inside the NBA bubble. When Jamal Murray plays like this, with this type of confidence is tough to beat this team, especially with them having the two-time MVP Nikola Jokic right alongside him.

 

Jamal Murray was hitting some tough shots tonight even with a hand in his face as he finished the game with 40 points, 3 rebounds, and 5 assists. He was sensational tonight for the Nuggets and was the main reason they were able to pull this one out. Jokic was special tonight as well because he impacted the game with his rebounding and passing ability. Joker finished with 27 points, 9 rebounds and 9 assists. Overall it was a complete team effort from the Nuggets as they were able to win this game with a well balanced attempt but Minnesota found the blueprint in the 3rd quarter for the next game.

 

The Minnesota Timberwolves went on a crazy run as they turned being down by 21 points into a 3 point lead. Anthony Edwards was SPECIAL tonight for the Timberwolves as he kept coming at them and coming all day night long. It didn’t matter who was guarding Edwards tonight as he was on a mission and even though that mission was cut short he showed exactly who he is and why he’s H1M. Edwards was the main player on the Timberwolves who had it going and he brought them back in this game. Even though the comeback was short lived Edwards was able to finish the game with 41 points, 2 rebounds, and 4 assists on the night.

 

The Timberwolves head home for Game 3 on Friday as they will need the crowd and players to be ready to go at a high level in this one.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo Credit: (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)

Apr 20, 2023 No Comments
The Denver Nuggets Take Game 1 Against Minnesota (109-80)

The Denver Nuggets Take Game 1 Against Minnesota (109-80)

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by | Apr 17, 2023 | Featured, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA

The Minnesota Timberwolves came into this game on a positive note after beating Oklahoma City on Friday. They were a lot of players questionable for this game from the Minnesota side but everybody would be playing. Denver came in today’s game, well rested and ready to go waiting on the Minnesota Timberwolves and it showed tonight.

The Denver Nuggets came into this game with a game plan, knowing that Karl-Anthony towns and Rudy Gobert. We’re going to need to step it up on the defensive and offensive end against Nikola Jokic. The Nuggets blitzed the Minnesota Timberwolves early as the game got away from Minnesota from the three-point line. The Timberwolves we’re shooting a lot of threes and when they’re going in it’s all great but when you’re not making them and you’re going to guess the number one seed in the Western Conference it’s tough. Karl-Anthony towns had one of his worst games of the year and one of the most important games of the season but we can’t expect that he’s gonna do that back to back. The Nuggets didn’t do anything special Karl-Anthony towns just wasn’t able to get his game going on both ends of the floor. Kat was making some mistakes that we barely see all year and missed a lot of wide-open shots that he normally would make.

Overall, the Timberwolves just didn’t have it offensively missing shots that they usually make all year long in a hostile environment in Denver. Karl-Anthony towns finished with 11 points,10 rebounds, and 2 assists on the night. Karl-Anthony towns is the head of the snake for the Minnesota Timberwolves so if he’s struggling, it’s gonna be tough for the team to really bounce back when their best player doesn’t have it going. Look for Karl-Anthony towns, to be more aggressive and more certain of in game two of this playoff series against the Denver Nuggets. Anthony Edwards has the steps game up as well to another level. If this Minnesota team is going to make it to the second round. Anthony had 18 points tonight because I had a lot more he just missed a lot of opportunities. There was a playing a game where Minnesota was struggling in transition, because Denver was playing at a faster pace. If the Timberwolves are going to make a splash in the series, they have to make the Denver Nuggets play at their pace not vice versa.

 

Nikola Jokic looks like the reigning MVP any definitely play like it in a short amount of time. Jokic was in foul trouble all night but Jamal Murray had his back having one of his best games of the season at the right time. Jamal Murray had 28 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists in this win. It seem like anything that the Denver Nuggets put up today was going in. They had the momentum and you could tell that the Timberwolves weren’t stopping the bleeding in this one. The Timberwolves had the lead early in the 1st quarter and never regained it again.

Apr 17, 2023 No Comments
SneakerReporter NBA 2022-23 Western Conference Playoff Predictions

SneakerReporter NBA 2022-23 Western Conference Playoff Predictions

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by | Apr 15, 2023 | Featured, NBA

The NBA regular season has ended, and every team has played its 82-game season. Only 16 teams remain for one objective… to reach the NBA Finals. 8 teams in each conference will compete to reach the Finals.

 

No. 1 Denver Nuggets (53-29) Vs No. 8 Minnesota Timberwolves (42-40)

The Denver Nuggets are coming into this series with the best record in the West. They’re also coming into this series with the Timberwolves a little banged up, especially after a long season. Nikola Jokic is in the MVP race again after having yet another amazing season. Joker will be trying to continue that as they host the Timberwolves who are banged up themselves coming into this series. Minnesota will be without Jaden McDaniels (Hand) and Naz Reid (Wrist) out indefinitely. On the season the Nuggets and Timberwolves series is 2-2 as the Timberwolves roster looks different from those games during the season. With that being said the Timberwolves will have to make sure that Joker doesn’t go off by having Rudy Gobert or Karl-Anthony Towns on him all series on switches. If they can contain Nikola and make someone else beat them this could be a good series for the Timberwolves. Anthony Edwards will need to try and slow down Jamal Murray and make sure that he has his game going as well on both ends. If Anthony Edwards takes that next leap in this series and has a good two games where he’s the best player on the court Minnesota will be in good shape. Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns will be spectacular in this series.

The Denver Nuggets have all the talent in the world and they have a lot of length as well. You have Nikola and Jamal to worry about but Michael Porter Jr and Aaron Gordon will also make things tough on you. If the Nuggets play their brand of basketball in this series and get the big men of Minnesota in foul trouble it could get ugly fast. Nikola is a problem for any team and if he has his scoring, passing, and rebounding all going he can be a nightmare to defend because of the versatility he possesses. Joker is the head of the snake and if he has it going in Denver it could be a very long series or short series depending on the Timberwolves counter. The Nuggets have the size and length to match up with the Timberwolves but it will come down to making the right plays in this series.

Prediction: Timberwolves Win the Series (4-2)

 

No. 2 Memphis Grizzlies (51-31) Vs No. 7 Los Angeles Lakers (43-39)

 

The Los Angeles Lakers are peaking at the right time and it’s been a collective effort. This team is loaded from top to bottom now after their moves at the trade deadline and can make some serious noise in the playoffs. In order for them to do that they have to disrupt the parade inside Ja’s city first. The Lakers won the season series 2-1 and both teams didn’t look like how they do today heading into this playoff series. It’s going to be a tough task to stop LeBron James and Anthony Davis especially when they have a true chance to win another championship. LeBron has been a complete monster these past couple of weeks and looks like he has his legs back under him from missing that time with injury. The Grizzlies will have to throw multiple bodies at LeBron to slow him down and if that doesn’t work it could get ugly. LeBron is pass first but he also knows how to get to his spots and knows how to get to the line. The Grizzlies will need to slow him down and hope that they can contain Anthony Davis with Jaren Jackon Jr if they want a chance at this series. Austin Reeves has been playing amazing basketball and his plus/minus is unreal showing his impact on the game. The Lakers depth is what will get them this win in this series because any night it could be a role player that can contribute to the win like a DLO or Schroder. The Lakers defend at a high level as well and that stems from their coach Darvin Ham so this could be a grind-it-out type of series for sure.

Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies always want the smoke and let it be known they not ducking either. If Memphis wants to win this series they will need a 1st Team All NBA caliber series from Ja Morant. Ja will need to be the best player on the court on both ends. We know he’s electric with the ball and he can create for his teammates but he has to be the selfish one in this series. Morant will need to lead them in points and assists while making some of those hustle plays as well. Ja Morant can’t do it alone he will need Bane to show up in this series and make a huge impact with his shot-making ability. The Lakers aren’t a team that you can take lightly and they know that so trying to get them in foul trouble will help the Grizzlies as well. The Memphis Grizzlies have depth on their team as well but they don’t have as much experience as the Lakers do in the playoffs so it will come down to who makes the best decisions with no errors. Memphis will need to play big inside and Davis will be a nightmare matchup without Steven Adams in the lineup.

Prediction: Lakers Win the Series (4-2)

 

No. 3 Sacramento Kings (48-34) vs No. 6 Golden State Warriors (44-38)

 

The Sacramento Kings shocked the world this season getting the 3rd seed in the Western Conference this season. For that great season, they won the prize of playing against the defending world champion Golden State Warriors who are coming off a 150+ point performance against the Blazers. This has been a special season for the Kings and they have a special dynamic duo with Fox & Sabonis I just believe they ran into the wrong team this season in the standings. Fox has taken his game to another level and so has Sabonis but the Kings don’t have the firepower to keep up with the Warriors on the offensive end. The Kings can pull the upset if they can control the pace of the game and if they can force the Warriors into some tough shots throughout the series. The defense will be key for the Kings in this series because you don’t want to get into a shooting contest with the Splash Brothers. The Kings have Fox who is known to get in the passing lanes and get the steals so he will need to do that and more while Sabonis commands the boards in the paint. The Kings will need some huge help from the role players like Keegan Murray, Trey Lyles, and Malik Monk if they will pull this off. The inexperience is there but anything is possible in the NBA.

The Golden State Warriors are the defending champions and they have the pedigree every year to win the whole thing. That pedigree is Steph, Klay, and Draymond as long as they are healthy this team always has a chance no matter the situation. During the season the Warriors went 3-1 against the Kings and made it look easy I’m expecting the same in this series. The Warriors will be too much for the Kings as they have mismatches all over the court and it will be tough to knock the champions out. Not much to say in this prediction because I simply believe in the Warriors and their championship DNA.

Prediction: Warriors win the Series (4-1)

 

No. 4 Phoenix Suns (45-37) Vs Los Angeles Clippers (44-38)]

 

This series would have been the best out of the Western Conference for sure but the injury to Paul George derailed that dream matchup. The Suns are coming into this at full strength ready to make a statement against the Clippers. So far in the short term the Suns are undefeated with Kevin Durant in the lineup with Booker/Paul/Ayton. This could be a special playoff for the Suns if they can make it work against the Clippers. Now the Clippers aren’t a pushover they have some dogs over there as well with Westbrook and Leonard. This is gonna be a great series but the Phoenix Sunds have so much firepower in their lineup that the Clippers might not be able to handle it without Paul George. The season series is out the window as both teams look different so this will be a case of who really wants it. The Clippers would need a huge boost from Russell Westbrook because if he can turn into that MVP Russ that would be huge in this series to help Kawhi out. Kawhi will need to get back into his Spurs mode and really put this Clippers team on his back to have a chance in this series. Kawhi vs KD will be must-see TV and we will be ready for it. The Clippers have the depth as well in this matchup so I see them getting a couple of games because of that alone.

The Phoenix Suns just look like a well-oiled machine right now and it will be tough to stop their starters from getting to their spots and doing what they want. Durant and Booker are a walking bucket and both can give you 40 per night. If Ayton can hold his own in the paint and help out with being that dominant big then this could be a very quick series because he’s the X-Factor for sure. Chris Paul has the IQ and skills to get it done as the Clippers don’t really have anyone that can contain him so it will be interesting to see if this Suns team is Finals Ready in my opinion and they look SCARY.

Prediction: Suns Win the Series (4-2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo Credit: (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)  (Jane Tyska/Digital First Media/East Bay Times via Getty Images) (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Apr 15, 2023 No Comments