Five NBA Playoff Predictions

After making preseason NBA predictions for two consecutive years I failed to do so for the current NBA season. REO received thousands of emails from distraught readers wondering why they were not getting any predictions. To be perfectly honest, I have no excuse and I am sorry for the pain I have caused. The following article is my attempt to make it up to our loyal readers. Here are five predictions for the 2019 NBA playoffs.


1. There will be an inordinate amount of close playoff series.

Each year there are a total of 15 best of seven playoff series. I am defining a close series and one that lasts six or seven games. On average, over the last five seasons, eight series per year have been extended to at least six games. I predict we will have at least 11 such series this year. The first round generally gives us several sweeps and for the last few seasons the Golden State Warriors have dominated and finished off quite a few teams in four or five games. I don’t see that happening this year. The talent is spread out pretty well around the majority of the playoff teams and we should see quite a few close series. Closer series usually mean exciting series so if this prediction comes true it will be a very good thing.


2. LeBron James’ name will be mentioned at least 874 times during NBA broadcasts throughout the playoffs.

For those who haven’t been paying attention, LeBron won’t be in the playoffs for the first time since 2005. Even more remarkable, it will be the first time since 2010 that LeBron won’t be playing in the finals. So why would a guy who is not even participating in a single playoff game this year be mentioned so many times? Many people don’t realize that the league’s television and radio broadcast partners are contractually obligated to mention LeBron’s name at least 10 times per game whether he actually is playing in the game or not.


3. Someone you interact with on social media will enlighten you with their vast basketball knowledge.

This is an easy one to predict because it happens every year. A Facebook friend will watch five minutes of a playoff game (the first actual NBA game he or she has watched all year) and suddenly become an expert on everything that is wrong with the league. He or she will then proceed to lecture all of us on the finer points of playing the game the right way. If you are really lucky your friend will take his or her basketball complaint and attempt to make a broader point about society in general. Good times for everyone involved!


4. Steph Curry will lead all players in total points scored during the playoffs.

Several factors come into play here. First, Golden State will need to advance pretty far in the playoffs for Curry to play enough games to lead all players in scoring. I believe they will and I’ll elaborate on that in my next prediction. Second, Curry himself will need to stay healthy (not a given) and lead his own team in scoring (also, not a given). I predict he will and I think the team wants him to win finals MVP so they will do their best to feature him during that series. Which leads me to my final prediction for the NBA playoffs. . .


5. The Golden State Warriors will win the 2018-2019 NBA title.

This will be their third straight championship and fourth title in the last five years. Many are tired of the predictability. Others celebrate their greatness and their unselfish style of play. Wherever you stand, it is foolish not to rank them among the all-time best teams. They certainly deserve to be in the conversation. With the impending free agency of several of their top players, this could be their last title run. I believe they realize this and will be ready. I don’t expect them to breeze through the playoffs, but I do expect them to win it in the end.


Those are my five predictions for the NBA playoffs. We would love to read your predictions. Post them in the comment section below.

Michael Lytle

Michael Lytle

I live in Ashland City, TN. I am a happily married father of three children.

11 thoughts on “Five NBA Playoff Predictions

  • April 12, 2019 at 11:05 am
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    Interesting, Mike. Who knows? Good análisis, though.

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  • April 12, 2019 at 11:27 am
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    Sounds spot-on to me, especially #2.

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  • April 12, 2019 at 5:37 pm
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    They all seem spot on to me. Seriously, Great job. I wish I had cable and could watch more.

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  • April 15, 2019 at 1:04 pm
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    These are 5 of the blandest “Predictions” I’ve ever seen. Not that I will disagree with you about any of them, because they are totally safe. I like your #1 prediction. It’s a bit risky. But the other 4 could have been made by my mother (She’s not an NBA fan).
    I noticed you stayed away from the Eastern conference entirely. Who do you have getting beaten by the Warriors for the championship? I know it would be totally safe according to the seeds, but I would love to see a Warriors/Bucks championship series.

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    • April 15, 2019 at 7:53 pm
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      Well, two of them are jokes more than actual predictions, and I didn’t think they were bland at all!

      Of the three predictions the only one that was “safe” was the Warriors winning it all and even that isn’t really safe since anything can happen. Curry leading his team, let alone all players, in scoring is not safe at all since he plays on the same team as the 2 time reigning finals MVP. Plus the Warriors generally finish teams off faster so they have fewer games to add to their point totals. He’s never lead all players in playoff points so picking him to do it this year did not feel at all like a sure thing.

      Reply
      • April 16, 2019 at 8:24 am
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        I knew #2 and 3 were jokes. But I figured no one had challenged anything on this article. So I felt obligated to question something and reinvigorate it.
        Curry is still a fairly safe bet this year in particular considering Durant’s injury struggles this season. I know Steph has been off and on with injuries as well the past couple seasons, but he always shows up for the playoffs. And we know he doesn’t have to worry about Lebron in the playoffs this year. I just don’t know if I trust Durant to be Mr. Playoffs again this year.
        Again, who do you like to make the finals in the Eastern conference?

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        • April 16, 2019 at 8:17 pm
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          I would rank the East contenders as follows:

          1. Bucks
          2. Celtics
          3. Raptors
          4. Sixers – they would be 3 if not for Embid’s knee.

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          • April 17, 2019 at 9:40 am
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            Nice! I like the Celtics too, better than their #4 seed. If Kawhi (in particular) and friends can keep playing like they did last night, the Raptors won’t lose to anyone in the East. I don’t think they will though. I still like the Bucks/Celtics winner to advance to the finals.

  • April 15, 2019 at 8:43 pm
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    Now that David has seen his NCAA Champion prediction come true, he has become a predictions snob.

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    • April 16, 2019 at 8:18 am
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      HA! I’m enjoying it way too much. I personally filled out 16 brackets on ESPN, and chose Virginia for every single one. Went with the heart over the head, and I am so thankful now.

      Reply
      • April 16, 2019 at 10:00 am
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        LOL. Enjoy is the rest of your life friend. I shed a tear thinking of the few UVa fans I know and watching your family’s video.

        Reply

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