As the 2020 NBA playoffs rapidly approach, analysts and basketball fans around the world are predicting what will happen in each first-round series. Epic rivalries will be renewed, as teams compete for dominance and a place in shoreline history. Unsurprisingly, the Celtics are favored to win their series (in seven games). Expectations are high for the 5th to 7th placed teams, each showcasing compelling playoff storylines.
The 2003 Phoenix Suns lost in the first round against the San Antonio Spurs, losing in six games. Then in 2016, the Cavaliers pulled off a miraculous run, offering up a 4-hour-long sweep of the Detroit Pistons. Whether it’s the Golden State Warriors or the Oklahoma City Thunder, that match-up will be intense. Experience has been the case all postseason; experience will prove enormously helpful for Golden State in this matchup.
TGS pundit Kevin Pelton takes a look at how history can guide the Denver Nuggets to future success. They’ve won nine of ten matchups against the Warriors every time their superstar Nikola Jokic has played since April 2021 till present-day November 2023. On the surface, this statistic seems to indicate that Denver has a leg up. The Los Angeles Clippers have taken four of the last five games involving Jokic, highlighting their defensive strength and ability to challenge the Nuggets effectively. Tellingly, one of Denver’s wins this season came during a reassuring blowout with Jokic out.
The Lakers limped into the playoffs with the ultimate seventh-place homecourt advantage, finishing eighth in home differential with a plus-1.2. For all the high seeds’ advantages, they will lack the high seeds’ home-court support that could prove critical in tight matchups. As far as playoff matchups go, Clippers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder might be the most exciting of all. Both teams have two of the league’s top three defenses. The face-off comes from the eventual Paul George and Shai-Gilgeous-Alexander trade that occurred almost six years ago. Fans will surely be in for an exciting, action packed, highly skilled firefight!
Luka Doncic taking on Rudy Gobert will be another major storyline to watch. Since 2020-21, Doncic has averaged 1.13 points per direct play against Gobert, ranking fourth among 14 defenders who have covered him on at least 150 screens. His scoring will be key going forward as the Dallas Mavericks prepare to open with Oklahoma City. My official prediction on this one is Thunder in 6.
The Atlanta Hawks are the biggest surprise in a season filled with surprises. They ended up going 2-1 vs. Cleveland and had that great start of 21-3. It’s their promise to pull off an upset of the Cavaliers that makes their matchup intriguing. They might even become only the fourth team in all of history to accomplish such a turnaround!
Predictions overwhelmingly favor the Indiana Pacers in this competitive first-round series. Expect fans to prepare for a fierce battle back and forth that’s probably going to go to the full seven games. Pundits are forecasting the Clippers to narrowly defeat their bitter rival in yet another seven-game nail biter.
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