By: Nick Frieburger | Staff Writer
After a long and drama filled regular season the time has finally come for NBA playoffs. This season had its fair share of ups and downs for almost every team, but with the playoffs here none of that matters anymore. There are tons of great match-ups coming up that you definitely don’t want to miss. There’s nothing like playoff basketball, and luckily we have it until June. Here’s a look at the eastern conference playoff match-ups for the first round.
#1 Milwaukee Bucks vs. #8 Detroit Pistons
The Bucks haven’t had much playoff success, but this year feels different in Milwaukee. They finished the regular season with a record of 60-22 which was an NBA best and don’t seem to be slowing down either. They are led by MVP candidate Giannis Antetokounmpo who is an absolute beast and one of the league’s best players. It’s going to take a lot for the Pistons to take down the feisty Bucks and it all starts with Blake Griffin. Griffin is Detroit’s best player and when he is on his game, he’s hard to contain. If he can play well and get some help from teammates like Andre Drummond, Thon Maker and Reggie Jackson, anything is possible.
#2 Toronto Raptors vs. #7 Orlando Magic
After the past few years of being the best regular season team in the East, the Raptors are hoping to change their playoff woes. It looks like superstar forward Kawhi Leonard could be the answer to all their problems as he is one of the best two-way players in the league. The Raptors also have all-star point guard Kyle Lowry as well as most improved player candidate Pascal Siakam. Orlando should not be taken lightly as they have one of the best offensive centers in the league, Nikola Vucevic. Vucevic can change the game with his skill set at any time, and as long as he’s on the hardwood the Magic could pull off an unlikely but possible upset.
#3 Philadelphia 76ers vs. #6 Brooklyn Nets
A good match-up will be on display between these two very good Eastern Conference teams. The Sixers are the heavy favorites, being lead by all-stars Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons, but Brooklyn’s resurgence as one of the most exciting teams in the league could pay dividends. It’s going to be hard for Brooklyn to stop the dominant force of Embiid, but in turn Philadelphia will have their hands full with shifty young point guard D’Angelo Russell. This should be an exciting series between two of the league’s youngest and most fun to watch teams.
#4 Boston Celtics vs. #5 Indiana Pacers
The final Eastern Conference match-up is between the Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers. The two teams played a total of four times this year with the Celtics winning three of the games. This will be Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward’s first playoff appearances since joining the Celtics in 2017. After coming one game short of the finals last year, Boston is hoping to get back to the big stage for the first time since 2010. Indiana is looking to defy all odds and make some noise after losing their star guard Victor Oladipo to a season ending knee injury. The Pacers have many scrappy role players which could be tough for Boston to contain, but look for a hard fought series between two good teams.
