by AAA Sports
Saturday, Apr 15, 2023
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Milwaukee (1) vs. Miami (8)
Series odds – Bucks -1200, Heat +750
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton missed a combined total of 83 games (more than a full season) this year, but the Bucks still finished with the best record in the league. They’re Jonesing for another run to the Finals after losing in seven (without Middleton) to Boston a year ago. There doesn’t appear to be much the Heat – who will be playing with tired legs – can do about it. If this goes even six, it will be a surprise.
Boston (2) vs. Atlanta (7)
Series odds – Celtics -1200; Hawks +750
Lots of mixed signals coming out of Boston, where the Celtics dominated the league pre-All Star Game, lost interest in March and then finished strong after falling out of first in the East. Boston’s dip (and a shooting slump) cost Jayson Tatum a legit shot at the MVP, and there are rumblings that rookie HC Joe Mazzulla might be over his head. On paper this translates to Boston in four or five, but if the 3s don’t drop – and they often don’t in the playoffs – Trae Young & Co. could make things uncomfortable. PS -- Don’t think Boston is not delighted at not having to face Miami.
Philadelphia (3) vs. Brooklyn (6)
Series odds – 76ers -1000; Nets +660
If the Nets nail down this series, they’ll have the same number of playoff series wins as the ill-fated Irving-Durant Nets had. Ouch. The Sixers should be able to take care of business, but if Brooklyn carries this one to six or seven, it could wear down expected MVP Joel Embiid for a probable EC semifinal battle against Boston. So keep an eye on his minutes. At some point doesn’t James Harden have to be on a team that makes a long playoff run in order to validate his HoF credentials?
Cleveland (4) vs. New York (5)
Series odds – Cavaliers -205; Knicks +172
All the attention will be focused on the backcourts with Donovan Mitchell and Jalen Brunson center stage, but the series could hinge on the health of Julius Randle’s tender injured ankle. If he’s a 100 percent go, he’ll be a PITA cover even for the Cavs’ talented front line of Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. For all their size, the Cavs are just so-so defensively. Still, Mitchell is the Big Dog in a series which could go to a seventh game in Cleveland.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Denver (1) vs. Minnesota (8)
Series odds – Nuggets -500, Timberwolves +385
Nuggets coach Mike Malone and back-to-back MVP Nicola Jokic both have a lot at stake in the playoffs and need a deep playoff run to cement their legacies. But Denver (5-5 to finish the season) is hardly roaring into the post-season, and doesn’t figure to have to spend too much first-round energy against a Timberwolves team badly in need of a psychiatrist. The Towns-Gobert Double Big Experiment has shown mixed results at best, and T-Wolves coach Chris Finch more than has his hands full keeping these guys focused for an entire series.
Memphis (2) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (7)
Series odds – Grizzlies -142, Lakers +120
Seems like just yesterday LA was ready to turn the page on the Great AD-LBJ Experiment, fire management and start from scratch. But somehow the Lakers (16-7 since the All-Star break) are healthy again and appear ready to let the air out of the Grizzlies’ tires. The absence of Steven Adams (knee) is a killer for Memphis, which appears to have put Ja Morant’s issues at least temporarily in the rear view mirror. Totals players take note: Both of these teams play fast.
Sacramento (3) vs. Golden State (6)
Series odds – Kings +225; Warriors -275
The longest playoff drought in NBA history (17 years) has finally ended, but the Kings’ reward is a thankless Northern California matchup with the surging Warriors. The defending champs have escaped from whatever funk they were in earlier in the season, and the only issue they have is melding Andrew Wiggins back in the lineup after missing extended time taking care of a sick family member. Taking down the defending champs will be a tall order for the Kings, especially as play slows in the playoffs. Did you know that Sacramento’s Domantas Sabonis led the league in rebounding (12.3)?
Phoenix (4) vs. Los Angeles Clippers (5)
Series odds – Suns -500; Clippers +385
Depth is less of an issue in the playoffs, and the Suns with their top-heavy talent (Durant, Booker, Paul, Ayton) are fine with that. On paper they have a huge edge over the Clippers, who don’t seem to have an idea when Paul George (injured knee) will return – if at all. That makes it Kawhi Leonard against the Suns’ Murderers Row. Phoenix is as good as anyone in the West right now, and everything seems to line up for a long playoff run after disappointments the last two seasons.
Milwaukee (1) vs. Miami (8)
Series odds – Bucks -1200, Heat +750
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton missed a combined total of 83 games (more than a full season) this year, but the Bucks still finished with the best record in the league. They’re Jonesing for another run to the Finals after losing in seven (without Middleton) to Boston a year ago. There doesn’t appear to be much the Heat – who will be playing with tired legs – can do about it. If this goes even six, it will be a surprise.
Boston (2) vs. Atlanta (7)
Series odds – Celtics -1200; Hawks +750
Lots of mixed signals coming out of Boston, where the Celtics dominated the league pre-All Star Game, lost interest in March and then finished strong after falling out of first in the East. Boston’s dip (and a shooting slump) cost Jayson Tatum a legit shot at the MVP, and there are rumblings that rookie HC Joe Mazzulla might be over his head. On paper this translates to Boston in four or five, but if the 3s don’t drop – and they often don’t in the playoffs – Trae Young & Co. could make things uncomfortable. PS -- Don’t think Boston is not delighted at not having to face Miami.
Philadelphia (3) vs. Brooklyn (6)
Series odds – 76ers -1000; Nets +660
If the Nets nail down this series, they’ll have the same number of playoff series wins as the ill-fated Irving-Durant Nets had. Ouch. The Sixers should be able to take care of business, but if Brooklyn carries this one to six or seven, it could wear down expected MVP Joel Embiid for a probable EC semifinal battle against Boston. So keep an eye on his minutes. At some point doesn’t James Harden have to be on a team that makes a long playoff run in order to validate his HoF credentials?
Cleveland (4) vs. New York (5)
Series odds – Cavaliers -205; Knicks +172
All the attention will be focused on the backcourts with Donovan Mitchell and Jalen Brunson center stage, but the series could hinge on the health of Julius Randle’s tender injured ankle. If he’s a 100 percent go, he’ll be a PITA cover even for the Cavs’ talented front line of Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. For all their size, the Cavs are just so-so defensively. Still, Mitchell is the Big Dog in a series which could go to a seventh game in Cleveland.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Denver (1) vs. Minnesota (8)
Series odds – Nuggets -500, Timberwolves +385
Nuggets coach Mike Malone and back-to-back MVP Nicola Jokic both have a lot at stake in the playoffs and need a deep playoff run to cement their legacies. But Denver (5-5 to finish the season) is hardly roaring into the post-season, and doesn’t figure to have to spend too much first-round energy against a Timberwolves team badly in need of a psychiatrist. The Towns-Gobert Double Big Experiment has shown mixed results at best, and T-Wolves coach Chris Finch more than has his hands full keeping these guys focused for an entire series.
Memphis (2) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (7)
Series odds – Grizzlies -142, Lakers +120
Seems like just yesterday LA was ready to turn the page on the Great AD-LBJ Experiment, fire management and start from scratch. But somehow the Lakers (16-7 since the All-Star break) are healthy again and appear ready to let the air out of the Grizzlies’ tires. The absence of Steven Adams (knee) is a killer for Memphis, which appears to have put Ja Morant’s issues at least temporarily in the rear view mirror. Totals players take note: Both of these teams play fast.
Sacramento (3) vs. Golden State (6)
Series odds – Kings +225; Warriors -275
The longest playoff drought in NBA history (17 years) has finally ended, but the Kings’ reward is a thankless Northern California matchup with the surging Warriors. The defending champs have escaped from whatever funk they were in earlier in the season, and the only issue they have is melding Andrew Wiggins back in the lineup after missing extended time taking care of a sick family member. Taking down the defending champs will be a tall order for the Kings, especially as play slows in the playoffs. Did you know that Sacramento’s Domantas Sabonis led the league in rebounding (12.3)?
Phoenix (4) vs. Los Angeles Clippers (5)
Series odds – Suns -500; Clippers +385
Depth is less of an issue in the playoffs, and the Suns with their top-heavy talent (Durant, Booker, Paul, Ayton) are fine with that. On paper they have a huge edge over the Clippers, who don’t seem to have an idea when Paul George (injured knee) will return – if at all. That makes it Kawhi Leonard against the Suns’ Murderers Row. Phoenix is as good as anyone in the West right now, and everything seems to line up for a long playoff run after disappointments the last two seasons.
