PPTSD/VT 2023 NBA Playoff Predictions
In a bit of a crossover from our usual content at PurplePTSD and VikingsTerritory, we had three of our authors combine forces to make some official 2023 NBA playoff predictions for this spring and summer. Dustin Baker, Janik Eckardt, and Josh Frey all put their heads together for this project, and here are the consensus picks from the group.
First Round
Eastern Conference
(1) Milwaukee Bucks over (8) Miami Heat, 4-1
(4) Cleveland Cavaliers over (5) New York Knicks, 4-3
(3) Philadelphia 76ers over (6) Brooklyn Nets, 4-2
(2) Boston Celtics over (7) Atlanta Hawks, 4-1
Western Conference
(1) Denver Nuggets over (8) Minnesota Timberwolves, 4-1
(4) Phoenix Suns over (5) Los Angeles Clippers, 4-1
(6) Golden State Warriors over (3) Sacramento Kings, 4-3
(7) Los Angeles Lakers over (2) Memphis Grizzlies, 4-3
Over in the East, the group didn’t predict any upsets, with the closest series being the Cavs/Knicks going to seven games before the Cavs close it out at home. Meanwhile, the Sixers and Nets series looks like a sneaky-fun series as well going six games.
Meanwhile, things get wild out in the West. The six-seeded Warriors take out the Kings in seven games, and the seven-seeded Lakers, who saw a rejuvenated second half of the season after swinging trade deadline moves, take out the No. 2 seeded Memphis Grizzlies. The Minnesota Timberwolves serve as no competition for the Denver Nuggets, though, falling in five games.
Conference Semi-Finals
Eastern Conference
(1) Milwaukee Bucks over (4) Cleveland Cavaliers, 4-2
(2) Boston Celtics over (3) Philadelphia 76ers, 4-3
Western Conference
(4) Phoenix Suns over (1) Denver Nuggets, 4-2
(6) Golden State Warriors over (7) Los Angeles Lakers, 4-3
While all these series in the semi-finals look to be exciting, there aren’t too many surprises here. The Bucks take down the Cavs in six games while the Celtics and Sixers series that looks like it will be a dogfight goes to seven games with Boston ultimately winning and setting up the fourth Boston/Milwaukee playoff series of the past six years.
Meanwhile, the Suns offensive firepower is simply too much for the Nuggets to handle while the much-anticipated Stephen Curry vs. LeBron James series lives up to all the hype. With the Warriors getting a home game for the seventh and final matchup, though, they get the edge.
Conference Finals
Eastern Conference
(1) Milwaukee Bucks over (2) Boston Celtics, 4-3
Western Conference
(4) Phoenix Suns over (6) Golden State Warriors, 4-2
To the chagrin of both Janik and Josh, Dustin chose the Celtics in this matchup in seven games. However, the other two contributors opted for Giannis’ Bucks, and they head to the NBA Finals for the second time in three years. Then out West, the group was in agreement that the Warriors simply don’t match up well with the Suns, particularly if Kevin Durant can stay healthy.
NBA Finals
(1) Milwaukee Bucks over (4) Phoenix Suns, 4-2
In the end, if this was going to be the NBA Finals, the group was in unanimous agreement. Milwaukee has the best player, and so, they get another championship behind the force that is Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks.
Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.