2020 NBA Playoffs
Eastern Conference:
#1 Cleveland vs. #5 Philadelphia
#2 Orlando vs. #3 Detroit
Western Conference:
#1 Los Angeles vs. #4 Portland
#2 Dallas vs. # Sacramento
We split the series 2-2 against the 76ers and they always give us good games so this matchup will not be a push over.
Eastern Conference Semi Finals: Philadelphia vs. Cleveland
Point Guard
Corey Hines vs. Sam Baron
6.1 points, 1.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists vs. 20.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, 12.0 assists
In a demoralising incident, Chris Paul broke his finger in their last game so will only see emergency minutes. That opens the door for Baron who was electric last series to have an even bigger series. Good luck Corey.
Winner - Cleveland
Shooting Guard
Luol Deng vs. Steph Curry
22.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.0 assists vs. 23.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 5.8 assists
The other half of the Cavs’ dynamic backcourt, Curry won’t have it all his way as Deng was unstoppable against New York. He is tall, long and a stellar defender so Curry will need to lift his game to get past Deng.
Winner - Draw
Small Forward
Wesley Johnson vs. Danilo Gallinari
18.0 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists vs. 16.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists
Johnson has been on that second level of star players for a while now as his natural scoring instinct and irresistible defensive presence has not gone unnoticed. Cleveland will try and take him out of his comfort zone with Gallinari as the big Italian can drain threes with the best of them.
Winner - Philadelphia
Power Forward
Boroda Beketov vs. Darrell Holtz
16.9 points, 10.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists vs. 14.5 points, 10.3 rebounds, 1.0 assists
Don’t let Holtz’s numbers fool you, he is a fantastic player. He likes to defer to his teammates and do the dirty work in tandem with Dwight Howard. He will need to be a stone wall this time because Beketov is a premiere low post player.
Winner - Draw
Centre
Kenny Leith vs. Dwight Howard
8.4 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists vs. 18.8 points, 11.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists
He may not have the title of best centre any more (that goes to Los Angeles’ Matt Bailey) but Howard is still a force to be reckoned with. This series should be a big one for him as Leith is a subpar defender and at only 6’9 gives up lots of size.
Winner - Cleveland
Bench
Nick Wise, Terrence Williams, Michael Howard vs. Josh Smith, Rajon Rondo, Danny Granger
Wise was a wise trade pick up (groan) but the rest of the Philly bench is left wanting. Look for the Cavs’ bench to eat them alive.
Winner – Cleveland
Prediction – Cleveland in five.
I can see that with Chris Paul out but if he was healthy this matchup would have been very dangerous.
Chris Paul plays all of four minutes in the first game and it showed as we were too strong, winning 123-85 in a statement game. Danilo Gallinari was named player of the game with 26 points while Dwight Howard and Darrell Holtz doubled up. Our starting backcourt played 39 minutes total between them as we got out early and the benches were emptied quickly. Danny Granger made the most of that with 20 points in only 24 minutes. Wesley Johnson was the leading light with 24 points for the Sixers but they were just outmuscled from the get-go.
Cleveland leads 1-0
Another game where Wesley Johnson was the best for the 76ers with 21 points and 11 rebounds and another game where we come out on top, winning game two 108-97. Dwight Howard was a monster with 23 points, 14 rebounds and 7 blocks, backed up by Sam Baron’s 29 points and 9 assists. Boroda Beketov fouled out in only 13 minutes while Luol Deng had the best of Steph Curry with 26 points and 9 rebounds.
Cleveland leads 2-0
The city of Philadelphia is not happy and believes that they are better than the two defeats that have been handed to them. And the team respond as Luol Deng has 23 points as the Sixers have six players in double figures. Unfortunately for them, Sam Baron has 29 points and 14 assists and Danny Granger goes 6/9 for 18 points off the bench as we sneak out a 107-102 win to go three games up. Dwight Howard has 17 points and 10 rebounds but shoots only 5/12 from the free throw line.
Cleveland leads 3-0
So again we sit three games to nil up against a team going into their home court. And again we get up huge, this time by 18 points before half time. However, unlike last time the home team roared back into contention. Behind six players in double figures, Philadelphia clawed their way back to force overtime, but then ran out of puff. We outscore them 14-2 in the extra period to win the game 96-84 and the series 4-0. Dwight Howard had one of the best playoff games I have ever seen with 30 points and 20 rebounds while Steph Curry backed him up with 20 points of his own as we break into the Eastern Conference Finals.
Cleveland wins series 4-0
Matt Bailey is injured AGAIN and the Lakers fall apart, getting swept by Portland in a very lopsided contest. The next night the Pistons hold up their end of the bargain and win in five games against Orlando to create a mouth-watering matchup between my current team and my previous team. The last series goes to seven games as Dallas squeak past Sacramento to win the game 99-85 to go through to the next round.