NBA Playoffs – Playoff Index Review & Conference Finals Previews

The Conference Semis are complete with all very short series.  The match ups really didn’t favor long series, and frankly, it was a shame.  Only one series was fairly compelling – Philly vs Boston.  Even though the series only went 5 games, most of those games were competitive.  Let’s review the Index:

Conference Semis Index Results

Eastern Conference

• 1 Toronto (4.0) vs 4 Cleveland (11.2) – Lebron James owns the Raptors and despite the Index and Wegs Pool prediction, the Cavs easily swept the series 4-0.  When, the Raptors blew a big lead in Game 1 and missed their final 11 shots in regulation to allow the Cavs to force OT, the Raptors seemed to crumble.  Sure, Lebron hit an incredible shot in Game 3 at the buzzer, but Toronto got destroyed in Game 4 by 30.  Lebron basically controlled the series and advances his team to the ECF again. Index incorrect and Wegs incorrect with Toronto.
• 2 Boston (8.8) vs Philadelphia (6.2) – Boston not only did not have a higher Index score, but the undermanned squad just outhustled the young and talented Sixer squad.  Boston came out in Game 1 and lit up the Sixers who were not ready in the step up in competition.  Coach Brad Stevens, who received zero Coach of the Year votes (a travesty), can put together a game plan.  The Celtics do still have talent on the floor with the young guns, Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, but the Sixers’ Joel Imbiid and Ben Simmons were supposed to keep rolling.  The Celts’ defense is intense, and offensively the ball movement kept working.  Most importantly, in late game situations, the Sixers were bested repeated by the gutty Celts.  I flipped on Game 5 midway through the 3rd Quarter with Boston up 12 points.  The Sixers made a run and the 4th Quarter was just incredible.  Finally, Boston overcame a 4 point deficit in the final 87 seconds – Tatum finished, but Marcus Smart was making every play on both ends.  This Boston-Philly rivalry will be fun to watch for years to come.  Boston wins 4-1.  Index incorrect and Wegs incorrect again.

Western Conference

• 1 Houston (5.8) vs Utah (7.4) – Utah advanced past OKC, but should have been no match for the Rockets.  However, the Rockets had to break a sweat with this team.  Utah’s rookie, Donovan Mitchell, was not as stellar as he was in the 1st Round, but he was good.  Unfortunately for Utah, Chris Paul woke up and his final 2 games were what he was brought to Houston for – Game 4 (27 pts, 12 rebs, 6 assists) and Game 5 (41 pts, 7 rebs, 10 assists).  Houston wins 4-1.  Look, if Paul can play at this level with Harden, then the Warriors may need to sweat, too.  Index and Wegs predicted this series.
• 2 Golden State (5.4) vs New Orleans (9.8) – The Warriors got Curry back, and yes, the Pelicans took one game from them – Game 3, but the games were only competitive at times.  The truth is the Ws are the best team in the NBA and it’s not close.  A 4-1 series win even with Anthony Davis averaging 27.8 PPG and 14.8 RPG.  The Rockets better bring their best or it will be a quick one.  Index and Wegs predicted this series.

For the Round – Index 2-2 (Overall 8-4), Wegs 2-2 (Overall 8-4).

Conference Finals Previews/Predictions

Eastern Conference

• 2 Boston (8.8) vs 4 Cleveland (11.2) – So, Lebron is attempting to make his 8th consecutive NBA Finals.  Lebron is now averaging a ludicrous 34.2 PPG, 9.4 RPG and 9.0 APG in this year’s playoffs.  That is 7 points over his regular season and career average for points.  Boston is still undermanned.  Who is going to guard the guy?  Tatum is long, but not strong.  Jaylon Brown is long and a little stronger.  Stevens will need to create a help system that makes guys like Tristan Thompson or some other non-shooter beat them.  Boston does defend the 3 point line a lot better than Toronto.  Boston is the best defensive team left in the field.  Still, can Tatum, Rozier, Horford and Brown make enough buckets to score in the 4th Quarter.  I see this series boiling down to the 1st 2 games.  Boston cannot drop Game 1 or 2 at home.  If they can go up 2-0, then put the pressure on Lebron and company to hold on their home court, it may be a long series.  The Index still has Boston winning the series.  However, I can’t pick against Lebron here not with Boston’s injuries.  Hopefully, it will be a great one to watch starting Sunday at 2:30 Central/3:30 PM Eastern on ABC.  Index – Boston (+2.4) – Wegs picks Cavs.

Western Conference

• 1 Houston (5.8) vs Golden State (5.4) – This is the NBA Finals.  These are the 2 best teams left, and now that Toronto is gone, the 2 best Index teams, too.  On paper, this should be the closest match up we have had in the playoffs to date with the 2 best offenses in the NBA.  In the regular season, Houston was much better than the Warriors on defense.  However, the Warriors have been playing at another level.  The key to the series to me is can Houston get key stops in the 4th Quarter.  I think Houston will score and this series could be the highest point series we have seen in years.  So, can Houston stop Durante and Steph in the final 2 minutes and see if Klay and Draymond can hit big jumpers late?  The series starts in Houston at 8 PM Central/9 PM Eastern on TNT.  Index – Golden State (+0.4) – Wegs picks Golden State, as well.

Let the games begin!!  Who do you have in these series?

Wegs