A playoffs that fits the year 2020 well… different. The games are not being played in packed arenas but in empty gyms at Disney World. The teams people most expected to win it all this year are already out, and the Miami Heat are back in the Conference Finals for the first time in 9 years.
Surprise
I think I speak for the majority of people when I say I didn’t expect the Miami Heat to beat the Milwaukee Bucks in 5 games (4-1). Yet Jimmy Butler and his teammates managed to beat the Greek Freak after sweeping the Indiana Pacers out of the playoffs. The Nuggets are also a nice surprise in these playoffs: they managed to beat the Utah Jazz in a 7-game series (4-3) and are now in the semifinals against the Los Angeles Clippers, where they have ended up in a 7-game series (3-3) that will be decided this week.
Prediction
LeBron James teamed up with Anthony Davis and the rest of the Lakers to beat Damian Lillard and the Trailblazers in 5 games (4-1). They also outsmarted Westbrook and James Harden, again winning in 5 games (4-1). It must be some secret in his Nike basketball shoes, but it seems like the older LeBron gets, the more impact he has on the game and his teammates. Personally, I think the New Balance-sponsored Kawhi Leonard will fight his way through game 7 against the Nuggets, making the Western Conference Finals a series between the 2 teams from Los Angeles. LeBron James will win it and advance to the Finals. I think the Boston Celtics are a little too strong for Miami, so the Finals will be between the Lakers and the Celtics. That would be the 13th time these 2 teams have faced each other in the NBA Finals.
Disappointment
For some All-Stars, the playoffs were quickly ruined by injuries. The Brooklyn Nets, for example, were already beaten 4-0 by the Raptors in the first round. Both Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant had to leave their gear at home due to injuries. The same goes for the Golden State Warriors, who finished last in the Eastern Conference with a record of 15 wins and 50 losses. Because of this, Stephen Curry also couldn’t use his new Under Armour basketball shoes because he had been injured since the start of the season, which meant the Warriors weren’t good enough to reach the playoffs. After 4 years of making the Finals every time, this is the first time they are missing the playoffs.
