NBA Conference Finals Prediction

Per cbssports.com

“You know you guys aren't gonna win a championship.” That was Kevin Durant’s words to CJ McCollum on his podcast this past July. Now CJ has a chance to make KD eat his words in their matchup tonight at 9 PM Eastern time. Meanwhile, the Toronto Raptors are looking to make their first NBA Finals ever while the Milwaukee Bucks are looking to make their first Finals since 1974.

A lot of stakes are on the line this round of what has been exciting NBA action. The league is filled with talent and it showed during the first two rounds, but now it is time to see who will represent their conference and compete for an NBA Championship.

Here are my predictions:

Portland Trailblazers versus Golden State Warriors:

The duo of CJ and Damian Lillard of the Trailblazers has proven they belong in the top of the strong Western Conference. Coming off a seven-game series with the Denver Nuggets, Portland is primed with an opportunity to make this a series by stealing game one while Durant is still out of action with his calf injury. Where Dame had a so-so series with the Nuggets, CJ stepped up and delivered in back to back Game 6 and 7 when they needed him most. Look for him to carry that momentum into this series and get revenge against the KD and the Warrior who has been dominating the Western Conference. I believe Dame will step up and have a better series much like his series against the Oklahoma City Thunder, especially in his hometown of Oakland.

With all that said it is hard to pick against the defending champs who are looking to three-peat in their final season at Oracle Arena. Steph Curry and Klay Thompson have gotten out of their shooting slump that plaque them early in the Houston series. Game 6, both had amazing games that ended the season for MVP candidate James Harden. You can make the case that Steph and Klay play better when KD is not on the court. You’ll see more of 2015-2016 Steph that led the Warriors to a 73-9 season who dominated the court with his shooting. And not to mention, they will get KD back who ultimately turns the tide for them.

The Warriors and Trailblazers have split the season series where the respective team’s backcourt that played better won the game. It is up to Dame and CJ to have a good game EVERY game in order for them to make it a series, let alone win. The benches will also be a factor as Warriors have shown vulnerability with their depleting bench over the years whereas the Trailblazers have a solid bench with players like Zach Collins, Rodney Hood who avoided season-ending injury, Myers Leonard and Seth Curry. If Portland can get constant bench production and remain in the games late, then it will be Dame Time to win at least two games.

Warriors win series 4-2.

Toronto Raptors versus Milwaukee Bucks:

The top two seeds in the Eastern Conference will meet tomorrow in a battle of top players in the NBA. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kawhi Leonard are looking to take the throne of the best player in the league these playoffs. Most betters have the Bucks winning this series and quite easily I may add. They have been dominant in this playoff run and they can thank COTY candidate Mike Budenholzer elevating Giannis’ game for that. He himself has been an unstoppable force averaging 27-points on better than .500 percent shooting from the field. On the other side Kawhi, coming off the first ever Game 7 buzzer-beater, is having his best playoff run statistically in his young career. He averaged close to 40-points against Philadelphia and has been a machine offensively and defensively. But this series will come down to the supporting cast.

Toronto won a tough series against Philly and is most certainly riding Kawhi’s momentum heading into Game 1. The Bucks have had a break after beating Boston so handily as they did so I will expect some rust there. What doesn’t get talked about much is how the Bucks, though they’ve been dominant, hasn’t really been tested in these playoffs. In the first round, they played against Detroit who was without Blake Griffin for half the series and was horrid offensively. In the second round, they played a defeated Boston Celtics team that had deep-rooted issues that impacted the team’s chemistry, offense, and defense. This was magnified by guard Celtics guard Terry Rozier comments today on Get Up! and First Take when speaking about their season woes. The Bucks players haven’t been in tough positions these playoffs and though we expect Giannis to show up, the same can’t be said for their role players.

Meanwhile, the Raptors has been battling against the best starting five in the Eastern Conference in the second round that went the distance. Also, they are strong defensively all throughout their team with veteran defenders in Kyle Lowry, Danny Green, Marc Gasol, and a Serge Ibaka coming off the bench. I don’t see Giannis having his way in the paint like he did the last series, therefore, his shooters are going to have to hit. Pascal Siakam has been a welcoming sight this season and playoffs with his strong play while emerging as their second-best player. However, it will be Lowry whom I believe will be an x-factor in this series with his playmaking and defense, and some shoots will help too. Both teams have deep benches and will surely make an impact on these games and keep them close. It will come down to Kawhi being all-time great and close these games out which he has shown he is capable of unlike Giannis who hasn't been tested.

Raptors win series in seven.

Let’s hope this round is as good as last round.