The NBA Conference Finals may be a rematch of the 2020 NBA Bubble Conference Finals, but thankfully it’s 2023!
We don’t have to relive watching the biggest games of the year with no atmosphere, and also don’t have to do it in isolation. Playoff basketball is well and truly back!
Denver host the surging Los Angeles Lakers, while Boston play host to Miami in what is always a tough gruelling contest.
Game 1 of the Nuggets/Lakers series got underway today, and we were treated to some great basketball courtesy of the Big 4 (Jokic, Murray, LeBron and AD).
Denver v LA Lakers series prediction:
Denver managed to win Game 1 at home in what ended up being a thrilling finish. Denver dominated early in the match, and led by as much as 20 in the 3rd quarter before the Lakers came storming back. It was a 3 point game with 40 seconds to play, and every Denver resident would've been shaking in their boots.
Thankfully for the home team they managed to hold on to win by 6 (132-126), but they’ll want to finish games off better than that if they intend on going on to the NBA Finals.
Nikola Jokic was at his brilliant best, finishing with 34pts, 21rbs and 14asts on 12-17 shooting (3-3 from 3). Jokic was well supported with his running mate Jamal Murray having 31pts, 5rebs and 5asts of his own.
Anthony Davis' monster night was over shadowed by Jokic, as AD finished with 40pts and 10rebs, with LeBron also having a huge night and near triple double finishing with 26pts, 12rebs and 9asts.
Austin Reaves chipped in with 23pts and 8asts of his own, but didn’t get much from their back court of Russell and Schroder (14 points combined on the night).
They’ll look to use more of Rui Hachimura in this series, chipping in with 17 Points and some handy defence on Jokic, which will help Anthony Davis down the other end of the floor to give them more of AD on offence.
This series gives you the feel it’s going the distance, but Denver will have to get Game 2 to make that a possibility, which going off what they’ve showed us so far in the post season, they should be able to manage.
Prediction: Denver 4-3.
Boston v Miami Series prediction:
Boston did things the hard way against Philly, coming back from 3-2 down and winning in Philly to force a Game 7 in Boston. After half time, it was all over, as Boston routed the 76ers and sent Philly packing once again in the playoffs.
Joel Embiid and James Harden had nothing in Game 7, as we were treated to a historic performance from Jayson Tatum, who finished with 51pts.
Miami on the other hand continue to stun everyone, getting back to the Conference Finals for another showdown with the Boston Celtics, this time as an 8 seed.
Miami finished off the Knicks at home in Game 6, with star duo Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo leading the way. From a talent standpoint, it has Boston written all over it, but this Miami team keep proving everyone wrong, and Boston haven’t been all that in the postseason.
This may go the length, but if Boston do finally come around, then they can finish this thing off once again in Miami, this time in Game 6 rather than 7.
Prediction: Boston 4-2.
We’ve been treated to some quality playoff basketball so far, so here’s hoping the Conference Finals continue to deliver for us.
Bauky