Eastern Conference Playoffs – First Round
The first-round matchups of the Eastern Conference are set, and it’s time to take a pick and bet online on the top contenders in the opening series.
Top-seeded Toronto play Washington in a series that could well go either way. There’s also Cleveland who will look to defy betting odds and prove their doubters wrong.
On the other side of the bracket, the up-and-coming Sixers draw the Heat for a big live betting affair between a young team and an experienced playoff squad. Meanwhile, Boston will try to overcome the injury bug when they play Milwaukee in the seven-game opener.
Toronto Raptors (No.1) vs Washington Wizards (No.8)
This one is a tough draw for a Toronto team that needs every rest they can get in preparation for a possible second-round meeting with the Cavaliers.
There’s no doubt this year is the best chance for the Raps to win a championship. They changed their offence and made it one of the league’s best, improved to a top-five defensive team and developed one of the best reserve units in the league en route to the top seed in the East.
Despite all these, however, they face the Wizards who have John Wall back healthy. Sure, their record won’t scare anyone at first look, but it should be noted that Washington split their regular season series with the Raps—the last two ending by a seven-point margin or less.
Prediction: Toronto in six games
Boston Celtics (No.2) vs Milwaukee Bucks (No.7)
The last few weeks of the regular season haven’t been good for the Celtics as they limped off to the playoffs, literally. Daniel Theis got injured, Kyrie Irving hurt his knee and Marcus Smart broke his thumb and the Celtics found themselves in an up-and-down stretch.
Sure enough, Milwaukee will take that opportunity to topple the Celts. They know they have what it takes after beating them two weeks ago and will be high in confidence when they meet again. After all, their stars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jabari Parker are both healthy.
The difference in this game, though, is the coaches. Brad Stevens and the Celts know how to play and what it takes to win at this stage, and that may prove pivotal against the Bucks that haven’t found a replacement yet for Jason Kidd.
Prediction: Boston in seven games
Philadelphia 76ers (No.3) vs Miami Heat (No.6)
The big question in this matchup is: when will Joel Embiid return?
Embiid could miss a large chunk of the first round against the Heat, and that would be a bummer as it would be exciting to see him match up with Hassan Whiteside once again.
Philadelphia also need Embiid as soon as possible considering that they’ll play Miami who have tons of playoffs experience. The Sixers, in contrast, have missed the past five postseasons.
If there’s one silver lining for the Sixers, it’s that they have the momentum after a 16-game winning streak. Oh, and who could forget about Ben Simmons—the do-it-all rookie who Julius Erving even described as someone who could evolve to a “one-in-a-lifetime-type” of player?
Prediction: Philadelphia in six games
Cleveland Cavaliers (No.4) vs Indiana Pacers (No.5)
Are you all ready for playoff LeBron?
Despite all their struggles this season, it’s never a good thing to write off LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. In fact, LeBron has never lost a first-round playoff series—he’s 12-0 overall which is a testament to his dominance.
Not to mention that a LeBron-led team hasn’t lost a single first-round game since 2012!
Indiana’s resurgence with Victor Oladipo has been nothing short spectacular, and they will find some confidence from their 3-1 record against the Cavs this year. However, experience might just be the deciding factor in this series.
Prediction: Cleveland in five games
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