Tank's NBA Second Round Predictions
Eastern Conference
(1) Miami Heat vs. (4) Philadelphia 76ers
Heat in Five
The Heat were the best team in the Eastern Conference in 2022 and are the number one seed for a reason. With a healthy Joel Embiid, the 76ers would have had their hands full anyway. The Sixers' All-Star injured an orbital bone and will be out indefinitely. Embiid carried Philadelphia for most of the season and is an MVP candidate and the reason behind their six-game victory over the Raptors. Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, and Kyle Lowry will be hard to stop in this series, as the loss of Embiid also affects the Sixers' defense. James Harden, without any help, will go into shutdown mode as Philadelphia will be quickly eliminated by Miami.
(2) Boston Celtics vs. (3) Milwaukee Bucks
Celtics in Seven
The defending champion Milwaukee Bucks had no problem knocking out the banged-up Bulls, while the Boston Celtics swept the hapless Nets in the first round. However, the series came with a cost for Milwaukee as Khris Middleton suffered a sprained MCL. Since the All-Star Break, the Celtics have been the best team in the Eastern Conference. Defense has been a big part of Boston's rise in the East. With Middleton unlikely to play in the series, expect the Celtics to beat up Giannis Antetokounmpo. Kevin Durant looked like he had aged ten years with the Celtics' defense by the end of the first-round series. Jayson Tatum had a strong series against Brooklyn on the offensive end; with the Celtics healthy, they will advance and dethrone the champs.
Western Conference
(1) Phoenix Suns vs. (4) Dallas Mavericks
Suns in Five
The Phoenix Suns were pushed hard by the Pelicans in the first round as the series was even after four games. Phoenix was able to rise in the final two games as Devin Booker returned in Game 6. The health of Booker could be an issue for the Suns, who were fined for not disclosing his hamstring injury before the playoffs began. The Mavericks rode the return of Luka Doncic to slip past the Jazz in six. The Suns scorched the Mavericks during the regular season, winning all three games. If Chris Paul can avoid Scott Foster this series, the Suns should be able to get back to the Western Conference Finals for the second straight season.
(2) Memphis Grizzlies vs. (3) Golden State Warriors
Warriors in Six
The Memphis Grizzlies were fortunate to win the first-round series against the Timberwolves, as they overcame ten-point deficits in the second half three times. The Grizzlies took advantage of Minnesota's lack of playoff experience to win that series. Meanwhile, the Golden State Warriors look hungry and primed for another run to the NBA Finals after easily defeating the Nuggets. The Warriors went to five straight NBA before fighting through injuries the last two seasons, winning three championships. Ja Morrant might one day do that for Memphis, but for not, it's Steph Curry and the Warriors, time to come out and play.