NBA Playoff Eastern Conference First Round Predictions

The first round of the NBA playoffs is underway, and the start of the potential two-month NBA playoff journey has begun. In this article, I will outline my predictions for each of the first-round series.

One-seeded Boston Celtics vs. Eight-seeded Miami Heat

For the third straight year and the fourth time in the last five years, the Celtics are facing the Heat in the playoffs. This is the first time they will face each other in the first round and the first that will not feature Heat superstar Jimmy Butler, who is out for the series with an MCL injury. The Celtics are coming off of a 64-win season, the fourth most wins in franchise history, and they are looking to make a long run. The Heat have given the Celtics a lot of trouble in the past, but I believe this year will be different. The Celtics have too much talent and too much shooting for the Heat to keep up with them. I have the Celtics winning in four games, but I would not be surprised if the Heat stole a game. 

Series MVP: Jayson Tatum

2-seeded New York Knicks vs. 7-seeded Philadelphia 76ers

This is the first time these conference rivals will face each other in the playoffs since the 1989 first round, where the Knicks won in three games. The Knicks will be without one of their all-stars, Julius Randle. If the Knicks want to win, they will need an MVP-level performance from Jalen Brunson. They got that in their game-one victory. I believe the Sixers will bounce back and win this series in seven games. The star power from Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey will be key. The biggest knock on Embiid is that he does not perform well in the playoffs. This year will be different. He is well-rested and extremely motivated. Before Embiid got injured, he was the frontrunner for the MVP award. Embiid will carry this team to a series victory and potentially an Eastern Conference Finals appearance.

Series MVP: Joel Embiid

3-seeded Milwaukee Bucks vs. 6-seeded Indiana Pacers

These teams have faced each other five times this year, and the Pacers have won four of those matchups. The only loss came from a 64-point outburst by Giannis Antetokounmpo. Unfortunately for the Bucks, Giannis will be out for the majority of this series. Against a young and hungry Pacers team, this could be a problem for them. The Pacers were the second-highest-rated offensive team in the league this year and the tenth-best net-rated team. Giannis is the Bucks defensive anchor and best offensive player, and without him I think this will be inconsistent. Damian Lillard can and will go off as he did in Game One, but as I said, the offense will be inconsistent without Giannis, and they will have to rely on non-stars to win four games against this tough Pacers team. I have the Pacers winning in seven games.

Series MVP: Tyrese Haliburton

4-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers vs. 5-seeded Orlando Magic

The Cavaliers, for a long time, were the two seed in the East, but in the last couple weeks of the season, they fell to the fourth seed and will have to face a young and tough team in the Orlando Magic. The Magic finished the season with the second highest defensive rating in the league, the best in the East. They are led by second-year all-star Paolo Banchero. This team lacks experience, but they do not lack talent. I expect them to give the Cavs a fight but ultimately fall short in six games. Donovan Mitchell is one of the best playoff performers of this generation. He is 8th in playoff points per game and 16th in total playoff points. He will lead this team to victory, and Jarrett Allen will anchor the defensive side of the ball.

Series MVP: Donovan Mitchell.