The fun season has begun in the NBA! For the next two months, the best of the best go at it until we crown the NBA champion. Things kick off for real on Saturday – here are your Pacers vs Bucks & Magic vs Cavaliers Series Previews & Predictions. Go here for the latest NBA odds
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Pacers vs & Magic vs Cavaliers Series Previews & Predictions
#6 Indiana Pacers vs #3 Milwaukee Bucks Series Preview
There’s no surprise that the key factor heading into this Eastern Conference first round series is Giannis Antetokounmpo. Pretty much every series he’s played in since entering the league has had him as the key factor. However, unfortunately for the Milwaukee Bucks and their fans, this year it’s all about his health.
The Bucks star is out indefinitely with what is being called a left calf strain. He was ruled out of the early part of this series days ago, which isn’t a good sign for him coming back soon. Obviously, this is a massive blow for Milwaukee. So is the fact that secondary star Damian Lillard is dealing with a sore left adductor – however, he’s expected to suit up.
Not to pile on, but Milwaukee wasn’t playing well even before these injury issues sprouted up. They were just 2-6 in April and have struggled on defense all season after jettisoning Jrue Holiday in the offseason to acquire Lillard. However, Lillard’s addition has had the desired effect on their offense, which was among the league’s best.
On the other side of the court, the Indiana Pacers have seen better times this season, as well (although they went a solid 5-2 in April). Since going down with an injury shortly before the all-star break, breakout star Tyrese Haliburton has not played to the level expected of him. Looking at his splits, his stats went off a cliff in January and never really recovered, although he was a bit better in April.
Having Pascal Siakiam riding shotgun has definitely helped take some of the load off of Haliburton. Plus, the veteran is a former NBA champion, which should come in quite handy this time of year. It is also true that Indiana beat Milwaukee in four out of their five meetings this season.
This all adds up to a tough series to predict, hence the current (close to) pick ’em odds. I guess there are fewer question marks surrounding the Indiana Pacers, so let’s roll the dice on them.
Bucks vs Pacers Series Preview Prediction: Indiana Pacers (-120)
#5 Orlando Magic vs. #4 Cleveland Cavaliers Series Preview
One of the surprise teams of this season is the Orlando Magic, who are ahead of schedule and in the NBA playoffs. While they have cooled off significantly since their blazing start to the season, it is still an accomplishment for this young roster to make the playoffs proper and not end up in the play-in.
But will they be satisfied with just making it, or will they want more? How badly they want it is probably a moot point if they don’t figure out how to produce some points. This team has one of the worst offenses in the NBA this season. Outside of second-year star Paolo Banchero and the inconsistent Franz Wagner, no one else on this team can put the ball through the hoop.
However, we’ve heard how defense wins championships, and that they have in spades. They are young, long, and determined defenders, with seemingly endless bodies willing to give their all on the defensive end. And, most importantly, they are fully healthy heading into this playoff series on Saturday.
The Cleveland Cavaliers can not boast the same in the health department. Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Caris LeVert, and Dean Wade are among the names on the injury report. The good news is all, but Wade should be suiting up in Game 1 on Saturday. But it has been an injury-plagued season for Mitchell, as the star only suited up for 55 games.
The Cavs did not finish off the last two months of the season very strong, and famously tanked the last game of the year to line up more favorable (in their eyes) playoff matchups. There also seems to not be the best vibe around the team for much of the year, if you read into such things.
Like the Magic, the Cavaliers make their hay on the defensive end, so this should be a knockdown, drag-out series, similar to the ‘good old days’ of the NBA before scoring took over. Having the home-court advantage, their twin towers inside, and more experience, I’m going with the Cavaliers in this one.
Magic vs Cavaliers Series Preview Prediction: Cleveland Cavaliers (-195)
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