So, I’m a little behind on this, but with the NFL Draft, I had only so much time to dig in.  The NBA Playoffs roll on into the Conference Semis.  Now, the better teams have advanced, in theory to get some solid series.  Let me review the Playoff Index predictions and my own for Round 1.  Then, we can move on to Round 2.

Round 1 Index Review

Eastern Conference

  • 1 Toronto vs 8 Washington – Wizards looked game after winning games 3 & 4 to pull the series even, but Raptors turned on the juice and dusted Washington in Games 5 & 6 to win series 4-2.  Index correctly predicted Toronto (4-2) as Winner (+5.8)
  • 2 Boston vs 7 Milwaukee – Boston struggled to get past the Greek Freak and Bucks.  Boston continued to rack up the injuries with Jaylon Brown missing Game 7 for the most part, but Marcus Smart returning gave enough energy to blast the Bucks in the TD Garden in Game 7 to advance (4-3).  Expect a coaching change in Milwaukee (interim coach, Joe Prunty did not do enough). Index correctly predicted Boston as Winner (+3.4)
  • 3 Philadelphia vs 6 Miami – Miami looked good early taking Game 2 in Philly, but when Joel Imbiid came back fro Sixers, the series was over quickly.  Philly won in 5 games (4-1), as the Index correctly predicted (+5.0). 
  • 4 Cavaliers vs 5 Pacers – Lebron had to be superhuman for the Cavs to advance.  In 3 out of the 4 Cavs wins (4-3), including Game 7 in Cleveland, Lebron went over 44 points, 8 Rebounds and 5 Assists.  The Pacers should have probably won the series, per the Index prediction, but (0.8) the margin was too close and talent won out as I predicted.

Western Conference

  • 1 Houston vs 8 Minnesota – Rockets were not sharp in this series, but getting that 1 seed helps a lot.  T-Wolvers played well at times, but would get nuked like the 50 point 3rd Quarter in Game 4 (4-1).  Index correct again with Houston (+3.0).
  • 2 Golden State vs 7 San Antonio – Spurs were not match for the Warriors, even without Steph Curry.  No Kawhi Leonard did not help the Spurs, but this was not a series at all (4-1).  Index correct again Warriors (+1.2).
  • 3 Portland vs 6 New Orleans – The only sweep of the 1st round by any team (4-0), the Pelicans behind a dominant performance by Anthony Davis.  Portland really was over matched despite the higher seed and the Index prediction (+1.0), but when the series is a close call per Index, the Talent wins.  
  • 4 Oklahoma City vs 5 Utah – Utah was the better team per the Index by a very close margin of (+0.6), the closest of any other series.  However, I felt the talent on OKC would win out given the star power.  Little did I know, that we have a new star in Salt Lake – should be Rookie of the Year, Donovan Mitchell, who had his way with the Thunder averaging 28.5 PPG and led to a 4-2 series win.  Kid is good.  Index picked Utah correctly (+0.6), but I did not.

Index went 6-2 in Round 1 for 75% correct.  I (Wegs) picked 6-2, as well, I had Cavs, but did not have Utah.  Neither of us got the Pelicans.

Round 2 – Conference Semis

The Semis are underway already (again, apologies).  All series will have begun by the end of the night.  This round may actually be quick given the match ups.

Eastern Conference

  • 1 Toronto (4.0) vs 4 Cleveland (11.2) – Here is the real test of the Index.  On paper, this series is all Toronto with the biggest advantage of any series, including the 1st round.  Cavs showed they are vulnerable with near loss in 1st round, but Lebron is playing all world right now.  Index says Raptors (+7.2), and I tend to agree.  Raptors will win.  Game 1 tonight (5/1/18 at 7 PM Central).
  • 2 Boston (8.8) vs Philadelphia (6.2) – Boston is still undermanned with several injuries, but the Sixers do not have a lot of playoff experience on the roster.  Philly is the clear cut Index favorite here, but Boston already took Game 1 behind near 50% 3 point shooting, making 17 for the game.  Index takes Philly (+2.6), and so do I, but Sixers have to get moving.

Western Conference

  • 1 Houston (5.8) vs 5 Utah (7.4) – Houston has the best offense in the NBA this year, but Utah plays defense.  The rim protection provided by Rudy Gobert, the “Stiffle Tower,” is no joke.  Houston were able to run out early in Game 1 and cruise to an easy win.  Index picks Houston to win (+1.6) and so do I in this one.  Theoretically, this should be the best series, but Cavs-Raptors will probably be the most entertaining.
  • 2 Golden State (5.4) vs New Orleans (9.8) – Warriors are primed for another title.  Steph Curry didn’t play in Game 1, and the Ws still won easily.  This is the 2nd biggest margin in the round, and I don’t think this one will be close.  Index predicts a Warriors win (+4.4), and I predict a sweep.

Enjoy the Conference Semis – who do you like in each match up?  Can you beat the Index?

Wegs

 

About the author

I'm a 49 year old, twice divorced guy with a 20 year old. The blog has morphed a bit lately. Not just sports or dating, social commentary and now some stories from my past experience.