The 2022 NBA Playoffs: 1st Round Edition

By: Tyrone Montgomery Jr.

Headline Photo Credit: CBS Sports

The time has come and we are finally here with the NBA Playoffs, where amazing happens. This year is pretty wide open. Literally, each and every team in the postseason this year has a legit shot to make it to the NBA Finals. But who will come out of the 1st Round this year. Here is the favorites to do so in each series.

                               East

Miami Heat vs. ATL Hawks

The Heat have been floating high all season. They’ve managed to maintain the top seed in the East for most of the year despite having so many injuries. The Heat are healthy at the right time. While the Hawks are a sleeper team, they’re simply outmatched in this matchup. The Heat are one of the deeper teams in the league.

Heat in 6

Philadelphia 76ers vs. Toronto Raptors

Many people are torn in figuring out the outcome of this series and rightfully so. The 76ers will be without F Mattisse Thybulle since he’s refused to take the vaccine. That being said, the Sixers will surely miss him defensively as they try to stop a plethora of long athletic wing players. This one will go down to the wire. At the end of the day, the 76ers have the best player in this series and if Harden can rise to the occasion, they should be okay. However, it WON’T be easy at all.

76ers in 7

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Chicago Bulls

This one will be an easy series. It’s time to get your brooms out because the Bucks are the defending champions for a reason. Chicago is simply outmatched in this series. They haven’t beaten a top seed all season. While Derozan has been phenomenal, they simply lack depth due to so many injuries. Those injuries will not be something they can overcome. What a shame because the Bulls do have a championship roster when healthy. Not having Lonzo Ball and a fully healthy Zach Lavine is costly.

Bucks in 4

Boston Celtics vs. Brooklyn Nets

This is a game I like to call the wildcard. The Nets have had so many injuries and inactive players all season long. At the end of the day, Kevin Durant is out there and that alone gives them all the hope they need in the world. Will Ben Simmons return? He hasn’t played all season so asking him to play now is a big ask. The Celtics on the other hand have had a fantastic second half of the season. The only thing that hurts them is the injury of C Robert Williams. This series will boil down to the Nets ability to defend. If they allow Tatum and Brown to have their way, things might end early for them. But you better believe that KD and Kyrie will go down fighting.

Celtics in 7

                               West

Phoenix Suns vs. New Orleans Pelicans

I’m going to say this in simple terms: The Suns have been THE best team in basketball all season long. Alongside that, the Suns have been the best Coached team all season long. They simply play basketball the right way. There aren’t any egos in Phoenix. There isn’t any drama there. Even when Chris Paul went down, they managed to overcome that trial. Devin Booker stepped up. Mikal Bridges did his thing on both ends of the floor. What’s really fascinating is the Suns lacked depth at the C position last season in the playoffs. Javale McGee and Bishmack Biyombo helps out in that department. While the Pelicans rose above the betting odds and made the playoffs, rookie HC Willie Green should get a lot of credit. But the Pelicans aren’t quite ready to win a playoff series. Kuddos to the Pelicans for getting here without Zion Williamson all season long.

Suns in 4

Dallas Mavericks vs. Utah Jazz

Injuries are a part of the game. Like the NFL, the NBA has to adjust and realize it’s the next man up. The Mavs will be without Luka at least for Game 1 but I’m thinking longer. Doncic suffered a calf injury in the final game of the regular season. This will certainly cost them the series. While the addition of Spencer Dinwiddie has been a blessing, that won’t be enough and the Mavs will still have a lot more moves to make this offseason. They’re depending on Luka way too much. Utah should be able to handle business in a jazzy way. The Jazz are one of those teams that if they get hot at the right time can make them a dangerous team to face in the playoffs.

Jazz in 6

Golden State Warriors vs. Denver Nuggets

Can you believe this playoff series would be the first full game played with Steph, Klay, and Draymond playing together in over 1,000 days? While they all still may be experiencing a few lingering pain of injuries, they are finally at full strength somewhat. They still will be without C James Wiseman. The Warriors are back! And their matchup isn’t an easy one as they will have to face the most unique Big man in the game, MVP Nikola Jokic. This will be a battle, however, the Joker is only one man and he is still without his 2 counterparts in Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. The Joker and the Nuggets will run out of gas in this matchup. The Splash Bros are officially back. 

Warriors in 6

Memphis Grizzlies vs. Minnesota Timberwolves

The Timberwolves are finally back in the playoffs! It has definitely been a bit of a rocky road for this ball club but they are heading in the right direction. We all know what KAT can do. He even stretches the floor well so he gives you a bit of everything offensively. DeAngelo Russell has been one of the most underrated players in the league. He’s solid! And Anthony Edwards is a dog! I know this may get everyone’s attention but I see a bit of Kobe in him. The Wolves big 3 will continue to grow, especially after facing off with the Grizzlies. Memphis has showed the ability to win without their MVP, Ja Morant. Something clicked for Ja in the playoffs last season and now it’s clicked for the entire team. The Grizzlies are rather deep at every position. The reason behind that is good coaching. Taylor Jenkins knows this game very well! He is definitely deserving of Coach of the Year Honors. Memphis defends very well and they can get hot beyond the ark. Along with that, Ja is back and fully healthy and he’s been making magic happen all season long. Guys like Desmond Bane and Dillon Brooks have brought their A Game on both sides of the floor. The rost construction of this team is strong too. They have guys that make life hard offensively and defensively. The Grizzlies got their playoff experience last year and this year will pay off for them for it.

Grizzlies in 5