The NBA Playoffs kick off on April 20th, 2024, with the Play-in tournament still occurring at the moment. Here are our predictions along with reasoning for the 2024 First Round Playoff games, along with the Play-in games tonight:
Kings vs. Pelicans (April 19th, 8:30 PM EST):
Prediction: Kings
Although the Pelicans have the better regular season record, with Zion Williamson out on injury, and the Kings coming off of a big win over the Warriors, we believe Sacramento will walk out on top.
Bulls vs. Heat (April 19th, 6:00 PM EST):
Prediction: Heat
With Jimmy Butler and Zach Lavine out for injuries, this matchup remains questionable. However, the Heat have the better regular season record as well as extensive playoff experience in the past few years, even reaching the finals last year.
Magic vs. Cavs (April 20th, 12:00 PM EST):
Prediction: Cavs
Although the Cavaliers have gone through some late-season injuries, in the playoffs every player has more experience in the postseason. The Magic are a very strong young team that looks very promising in the future, but this year, the Cavs have more experienced players.
Suns vs. Timberwolves (April 20th, 2:30 PM EST):
Prediction: Timberwolves
The Timberwolves are a young team going into these playoffs, with 3rd-year player Anthony Edwards being their superstar on the court. The Timberwolves went to a “twin-towers” scheme this year, using two 7+ footers inside the paint to accompany Edwards. The Suns have experience, but look to be outcoached and outplayed if this series is anything like the regular season.
76ers vs. Knicks (April 20th, 5:00 PM EST):
Prediction: 76ers
This was the toughest matchup to predict, with the Knicks grabbing the 2-seed at the end of the season, the 76ers look like one of the best 7-seeds in recent years. The 76ers have star forward/center Joel Embiid, a 7-footer who averages 35 points per game. Along with playing against an all-star center, the Knicks’ have their star forward of their own, Julius Randle, who is injured and will not play throughout the series. If the Knicks guards can outplay the 76ers, then it may be close, but Embiid looks to be too powerful for the Knicks to handle.
Lakers vs. Nuggets (April 20th, 7:30 PM EST):
Prediction: Nuggets
Despite his legacy, the King will likely lose to the Joker in this matchup. The Lakers lack significant depth in their roster, whereas the returning champs have displayed time and time again throughout the regular season that they are ready to repeat. Additionally, with Jokic leading the MVP race and having two 40+ point games just this month, the Lakers’ odds are looking bleak.
Celtics vs. TBD [Heat] (April 21st, 12:00 PM EST):
Prediction: Celtics
The Boston Celtics ended the regular season with the best record in the league, looking like the team to beat in the playoffs. Led by star forward Jayson Tatum the Celtics have won 7 out of their last 10 games in the season. Although the Heat (predicted) have a great coach and and star players of their own, the Celtics look like the best team in the league right now.
Mavericks vs. Clippers (April 21st, 2:30 PM EST):
Prediction: Mavericks
Although the Mavericks and Clippers have similar records this season, the momentum the Mavericks have from the end of the season will triumph. Several players on the Clippers are often known to either choke in the playoffs or get injured, such as James Harden, Paul George, and Kawhi Leonard. With Luka Doncic running the Mavs offense, and the Mavs having the number one defense in the league in the past 20 games, they will win this series.
Pacers vs. Bucks (April 21st, 6:00 PM):
Prediction: Pacers
The 2022 NBA Champions Milwaukee Bucks have had some problems this year. After trading their Jrue Holiday and replacing him with Damian Lillard, this seems to be their last-ditch effort to get Giannis Antetekunmpo a win. But the team is riddled with injuries, with Antetokounmpo out, and Lillard being a day-to-day player. The Pacers are a young team that has shown they can hang with the powerhouse teams in the regular season, with their high-powered offense.
Thunder vs. TBD [Kings] (April 21st, 8:30 PM EST):
Prediction: Thunder
Despite the Thunder being a young team, they are still the number-one seed in the conference. With young stars and talent, as well as strong coaching, the Thunder will make it to the second round.
