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Los Angeles Lakers: Predictions for first round of NBA Playoffs

By Ed Schrenzel

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 19: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles during the first half of an NBA Tournament Play-In game against the Golden State Warriors at Staples Center on May 19, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 19: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles during the first half of an NBA Tournament Play-In game against the Golden State Warriors at Staples Center on May 19, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

Eastern Conference

(1) Philadelphia 76ers vs (8) Washington: The 76ers’ strong squad, especially if Joel Embiid is healthy, is probably too good for even Coach Doc Rivers to screw up this early in the playoffs, even though he has a less-than-stellar history as a favorite. in past postseasons. Embiid, Ben Simmons and Tobias Harris are too potent a threesome for an eighth seed to overcome.

The pick: Philadelphia 76ers in 5

(2) Brooklyn Nets vs (7) Boston Celtics: The Celtics played better than many expected against Washington in the play-in game, most prominently star forward Jayson Tatum. Depth is an issue for them, especially after losing star Jalen Brown to injury late in the season.

The Nets expect to have their big three (Kevin Durant, James Harden and Kyrie Irving) suited up and ready to go. That’s just too much firepower for Boston to handle.

The pick: Boston Nets in 5

(3) Milwaukee Bucks vs (6) Miami Heat: A rematch of last season’s second-round series when the Heat upset the top-seeded Bucks in 5 games. Despite having a worse record than last year, this Milwaukee team is actually better built for the postseason now and should be ready to turn back the tables and continue their quest for their first title in 50 years, when 24-year-old Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was their center and Oscar Robertson their point guard.

The pick: Milwaukee Bucks in 6

(4) New York Knicks vs (5) Atlanta Hawks: The Knicks were one of the surprise teams in the league as they made the playoffs for the first time in eight seasons behind the breakout year of ex-Lakers forward Julius Randle.

Their defense ranked first in the league in points allowed, 104.7. The Hawks, which finished with an identical 41-31 record, struggled a bit down the stretch before winning their last four games. Expect both teams to have some playoff hiccups.

The pick: New York Knicks in 7

Next. 50 greatest Lakers of all-time. dark

All statistics courtesy of www.basketball-reference.com

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