BBNBA Playoffs second round preview

Many former ‘Cats were eliminated after round one, but round two of the NBA Playoffs still feature guys such as Devin Booker and Tyrese Maxey. Here’s your series-by-series preview of the Conference Semifinals with our usual Kentucky spin.

(1) Miami Heat vs. (4) Philadelphia 76ers

Miami and Philly are set to start the second round of their playoffs Monday night, but not without a few key injuries. 76ers star Joel Embiid is hobbled and in need of separate surgeries for his thumb and face. He won’t travel to Miami for the first two games and reports are that he’ll try to give it a go in Game 3. Meanwhile, Heat point guard Kyle Lowry has a hamstring issue sidelining him for at least Game 1. Tyler Herro also showed up as questionable on the injury report with a respiratory illness but I’d assume he still plays.

As for the actual series, the Sixers enter as immense underdogs now without their MVP center. That may just mean more Tyrese Maxey. With Maxey, James Harden and Tobias Harris, Philly still has plenty of offensive firepower. Harden especially needs to step up. This is his first healthy playoff run since leaving Houston and he frankly hasn’t been great lately for the Sixers. The passive, reserved version of Harden is going to have to come out of his shell and get aggressive in seeking his shot for Philly to have any chance. I’d love to see 2018 James return to form.

On the other side, Bam Adebayo has to be fired up. The BBNBA Defensive Player of the Year has struggled with Embiid’s sheer mass and skillset over the years — as has every other center in the NBA. Now that he won’t be dealing with him until at least Game 3, Miami can deploy Bam’s services all over the court on defense rather than leaving him out to dry on the post. You can’t switch everything on defense like Miami generally does if a man of Embiid’s stature is rolling towards the rim. But if it’s Paul Reed or other backups instead, you can feel more comfortable switching Bam off of him for a smaller defender on certain possessions.

Lastly, Herro’s spark off the bench will be even more important in Game 1. The Heat are shallow with ball handlers and shot-creators as is, and Herro is their top offensive option in the backcourt. With Lowry out, he’ll likely play a lot of point guard and run the offense. Heck, Eric Spoelstra may get crazy and actually start him. Whether he comes off the bench or finally starts, Herro’s offensive creation will be vital to Miami.

Prediction: I think Harden shuts up his detractors with a ridiculous performance in Miami and Philly wins one of the first two games. Then they get Embiid back for Game 3 with all the momentum and wind up winning the series. So I’ll say Sixers in six.

(1) Phoenix Suns vs. (4) Dallas Mavericks

Phoenix avoided a scare against New Orleans in round one of the playoffs and got their superstar back on the court. Look, the Suns are the best team. They’ve been the best team all year, they have the best backcourt, a versatile defense and absolutely destroy teams in fourth quarters. IF they stay healthy, they’re favorites to win the Finals. But Devin Booker already missed a few games and Chris Paul has a notorious history of bad injury breaks in the playoffs. Phoenix’s stars are battling their own bodies as much as the teams they play.

As for the basketball matchup, both of these teams were excellent in crunch time over the final months of the regular season. Dallas had one of the better records in the entire league after the All-Star Break despite ranking as a middling team analytically. They just whupped everybody late in close games. Of course, Phoenix is the best crunch-time team in the league over the course of the season. One of the best clutch teams ever statistically, as a matter of fact.

So if these two teams are close heading into the fourth quarter, get the TV on. These guys are flamethrowers when it matters most.

Prediction: Phoenix wins the first two games, Dallas takes one, and Phoenix finishes them off. Booker and Paul will take turns with great performances while Luka Doncic puts up gaudy numbers every time out — it won’t be enough, though. Suns in five.

(2) Boston Boston vs. (3) Milwaukee Bucks

No Kentucky players in the final two series so I’ll keep it brief. Game 1 is underway as I write this, but here’s what I’ll say: Boston is substantially outplaying everyone in the East lately. All eight rotation players defend their tails off and the offense is a machine. They lock you up on defense and generate good looks for the right guys on offense. Complete team.

However, Giannis Antetokounmpo awaits at the other end of the court. Milwaukee doesn’t have Khris Middleton, which is a HUGE loss now that their second-best offensive option is…who? Jrue Holiday, I guess. I’m just not sure they’ll have the firepower to take down Boston in four out of seven games, especially with the Garden holding homecourt advantage.

Prediction: Milwaukee wins a game, Giannis posts absurd numbers throughout but Boston just buries them. Celtics roll in five.

(2) Memphis Grizzlies vs. (3) Golden State Warriors

I hated to see the Timberwolves go down the other night. But their loss sets up an awesome matchup between the young pups in Memphis and the former champs in the Golden State. Ja Morant out-dueled Steph Curry in last year’s Play-In game to eliminate the Dubs from the postseason entirely. If there’s one certainty, it’s that the Grizzlies aren’t scared of any of these guys or anything they’ve won.

ESPN’s panel went 20-0 siding with Golden State in this series and I don’t get it. Golden State spanked Denver, but Denver might not have three players who would crack Memphis’ rotation. The Grizz are exceptionally deep, versatile at every position and have defense and toughness up and down. Not forgetting, of course, Ja Morant, who was masterful in closing out the T-Wolves. Even when he isn’t scoring, the attention Ja draws and then uses to pass to open shooters keeps the Grizzlies’ offense humming.

Prediction: Man I love both of these teams. I’d love to see Golden State make one more run in the playoffs with their guys, but Memphis is the present. They were awesome all season and are a bunch of young pit bulls. Give me the higher seed. I’m taking Memphis in seven.