For the last few months, anyone involved in sports journalism has been doing mainly three things: predicting, analyzing, or projecting. With the announcement of the schedule release for the NBA restart, I figured it was important to hop on that train while the news was still fresh. Looking through the schedules, I feel fairly confident in making my full NBA playoff prediction, barring something unexpected.

Play-in Games

Pelicans over Grizzlies

While the NBA has done the Pelicans a favor in scheduling fairly easy games for them, New Orleans still has to pull their weight. They currently sit 3.5 games behind the Grizzlies, but have the easiest remaining schedule. The Grizzlies were given the 6th toughest, while the Trail Blazers have the 4th toughest stretch of 8 seeding games.

I give the edge to the Pelicans in this game because they have a great mix of star power and veteran experience. I love what the Grizzlies have built, but Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. have little to no experience in high stakes NBA games.

Magic over Wizards

The Wizards currently sit 5.5 games behind the Magic, so there’s a chance for no play-in game at all. For sake of argument, I’ll give the edge to the Wizards pushing inside 4 games. While the Magic are certainly no powerhouse, their combination of Markelle Fultz, Nikola Vucevic, and Aaron Gordon should lead them to cruise over the John Wall-less Wizards.

Final Playoff Seeding

Not a ton of changes in the seeding overall. I moved the Celtics one spot above the Raptors because Boston plays a considerably easier schedule. The Rockets are overtaken by the Mavericks for the 6th seed in the article I wrote yesterday, which you can read here. Outside of those two changes, nothing else moves in the seeding.

Round 1

East

(1) Bucks over (8) Magic in 5

(2) Celtics over (7) Nets in 4

(3) Raptors over (6) 76ers in 6

(4) Heat over (5) Pacers in 7

Yet again, every goes according to plan. There is a clear difference in talent between teams in the top 6 and the rest of the East. The Pacers push it close, but the Heat have been a pleasant surprise this season. The Celtics cruise past the injury ridden Nets and the Raptors clean up the Sixers.

West

(1) Lakers over (8) Pelicans in 5

(2) Clippers over (7) Rockets in 6

(3) Nuggets over (6) Mavericks in 7

(5) Thunder over (4) Jazz in 7

A lot closer contests in the West side. Although the NBA gets their dream match-up of Zion vs. LeBron, it becomes a route in short order. The Clippers struggle a bit against the Rockets, but ultimately pull it out. And the last two series go to a game 7, where we have our first upset (kind of).

Conference Semi-Finals

East

(1) Bucks over (4) Heat in 6

(2) Celtics over (3) Raptors in 6

I think the Heat are a lot better team than they get credit for. They have a good combination of smart vets and young stars, with clear alpha Jimmy Butler leading the way. I find it interesting that no one goes after Giannis at this point for failing to make it to an NBA Finals. This is going to be their best chance but are by no means a lock to win the whole thing.

The Celtics have so much depth at this point, it is ridiculous. Lack of a clear big is almost a blessing in disguise as each center brings something new to the table. Pascal Siakam will be a problem for the majority of the series, but the young stars will shine for the C’s and get them into the next round.

West

(1) Lakers over (5) Thunder in 5

(2) Clippers over (3) Nuggets in 7

Another quick one for the Lakers. It was a great run for the Thunder, but they are no match for a rested LeBron and AD. Chris Paul can only do so much.

The Clippers and Nuggets series will be one of the best series in the entire playoffs. Both teams have something to prove and have the talent to do so. Ultimately, the experience of PG and Kawhi Leonard will push them over the edge in an extremely close contest.

Conference Finals

(2) Celtics over (1) Bucks in 7

The Bucks rattled off four wins in a row last year after dropping the first one against the Celtics. This time, the Celtics will have the advantage. A large part of that will be because of Jayson Tatum. Before the suspension of the NBA season, Tatum was balling. After the All-Star break, the Celtics wing had a stat line of 29.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 3.1 assists.

The Bucks are no push over, as both of their star players, Khris Middleton and Giannis Antetokounmpo made the All-star team this past season and Giannis was the leading candidate for the MVP. The depth of the Celtics will make it difficult to keep up, but they will have to go the distance to finish them off.

(1) Lakers over (2) Clippers in 7

Remember how I said the Nuggets and Clippers match-up would be the best series in the playoffs? Scratch that, this one will be the best. The battle for LA in Orlando will be the talk of the entire sports world, regardless of what other games are going on.

Bottom line, LeBron has the least amount of pressure he has ever had with this team. AD will be able to show up in a few games, but LeBron will be coming into this one rested and ready to go. Had this series taken place following the course of a full season, I would give the edge to the Clippers because of their depth. But with the restart, it is going to be the Clippers best 5 against the Lakers best 5, and I would be a fool to take anyone other than LeBron’s team.

NBA Finals

(1) Lakers over (2) Celtics in 6

The best way to combat all 4 major sports happening at once is to give the people a timeless rivalry. Although there are a lot of new faces, the fans have not forgotten how much they dislike each other.

The series is going to follow suit with the rest of the rounds the Lakers played. The Celtics are a young and exciting team, but going against a rested LeBron feels idiotic at this point.