The Larry O’Brien Trophy, the item all players want to hold.

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In my last two articles, I picked the teams I thought would make the playoffs. Now it’s time for these teams to battle to see who I think will come out on top. Ready? Let’s go!

Round 1: The West

No.1 Utah Jazz vs. No.8 Los Angeles Clippers Result: Jazz 4, Clippers 2

Because Kawhi Leonard doesn’t have a timeline to return, this is a tough decision. The Clippers won without Leonard against the Jazz in the second round of the playoffs last year, but the Jazz are seeking revenge. If Kawhi is with LA, the Clippers are winning. But because I don’t know, I’m putting it as a Jazz advance.

No.2 Golden State Warriors vs. No.7 Denver Nuggets Result: Warriors 4, Nuggets 1

This is an easy Golden State win. The Warriors have a points differential of over THIRTEEN points. Nikola Jokic and Jumal Murray will have a nice series, but the Warriors are too much for the Nuggets to handle. 

No.3 Los Angeles Lakers vs. No.6 Portland Trail Blazers Result: Lakers 4, Trail Blazers 2

This will be a more tough series than the Lakers anticipate, but I still think the Lakers are winning. The Blazers have an explosive backcourt, but the Lakers defensive guards in Russell Westbrook and Kent Bazemore plus the paint presence of Dwight Howard and DeAndre Jordan can shut down the Blazers. The Lakers are advancing.

No.4 Phoenix Suns vs. No.5 Dallas Mavericks Result: Phoenix Suns 4, Dallas Mavericks 3

This will be my only series that will go to seven games. The competition will be high, but the Suns, with Chris Paul, Devin Booker, and DeAndre Ayton will be too much. The Mavs are a unicycle dependent on Luka Donic. Without him, the Mavs will be lucky to win half of their games. Porzingis is good as well, but the Suns have better role players and stars. Sorry, Dallas, you’re not in the second round THIS year as well.

Round 1: The East

No.1 Brooklyn Nets vs. No.8 Cleveland Cavaliers Result: Brooklyn Nets 4, Cleveland Cavaliers 0

Sorry Cavs, the Nets are too much to handle. The Nets, with Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving, plus solid role players Blake Griffin, Patty Mills, LaMarcus Alridge, Joe Harris, Paul Millsap, and others are too much offense for the Cavs defense to handle. Go Nets, I guess.

No 2. Milwaukee Bucks vs. No.7 Washington Wizards Result: Milwaukee Bucks 4, Washington Wizards 1

Like the Cavs, the Wizards are a surprise team, but what must come up must come down. The Wizards have nice role players and a star in Bradley Beal, but the Bucks, like the Nets, have too many offensive and defensive weapons to lose against the Wizards. Magic is not real, anyway.

No.3 New York Knicks vs. No.6 Miami Heat Result: New York Knicks 4, Miami Heat 3

This one was very tricky, but I’m going with NYC. The Heat have talent but Kyle Lowry is struggling and Butler can’t do everything. The Knicks have explosive young talent in R.J. Barrett and Obi Toppin blended well with veteran presences like Derrick Rose and Taj Gibson. The Knicks are winning this one barely.

No.4 Philadelphia 76ers vs. No.5 Chicago Bulls Result: Philadelphia 2, Chicago Bulls 4

The Bulls are too good. With DeMar DeRozan, Zach Lavine, and Nikola Vucevic, the Bulls will win. Joel Embiid will have a nice series, but it will not be enough in a three superstars veres one. The Bulls are ready to get into the Finals since Micheal Jordan in 1996.

Second Round: The West

No.1 Utah Jazz vs. No.4 Phoenix Suns Result: Phoenix Suns 4, Utah Jazz 2

The Suns burn the heart out of the Jazz with a second round win. The Jazz had another huge letdown, and Chris Paul, Devin Booker, and DeAndre Ayton shut the Jazz down. Next time, Jazz. To the WCF!

No.2 Golden State Warriors vs. No.3 Los Angeles Lakers Result Golden State 3 , Los Angeles 4

LeBron James isn't in the mood to let the Warriors win another championship. I predict The King will have an unreal series and carry them to the WCF. The Warriors will put up a huge struggle, but the Fantastic Four of LA is too much to handle. They will look to get revenge against the Suns in the WCF, who eliminated them last year in the first round of the playoffs.

Second Round: The East

No.1 Brooklyn Nets vs. No.5 Chicago Bulls Result: Brooklyn Nets 4, Chicago Bulls 0

The Brooklyn Nets Big Three is better than the Big Three of Chicago. The Nets will run up the score, and sweep the Bulls. To the ECF! The Nets are looking to finally win a championship.

No.2 Milwaukee Bucks vs. No.3 New York Knicks Result: Bucks 3, Knicks 4

I'm predicting an upset here. The Knicks have beaten the Bucks in the regular season, and nothing tells us they can't beat them in the playoffs as well. A New York rivalry for the ECF.

The Western Conference Finals Result: Phoenix Suns 2, Los Angeles 4

The Lakers have gotten their revenge with a solid series win over the Suns. The Fantastic Four of LA will carry them against the Big Three of the Suns. The Lakers are looking to make history with winning its franchise eighteenth championship.

The Eastern Conference Finals Result: Brooklyn Nets 3, NY Knicks 4

I think injuries will down the Nets like in 2021 as their players seem to be prone to it.  I think Julius Randle will step up, and the Knicks will take advantage of the injuries and head to their first finals trip since 1999. That’s a pretty bad streak.

The NBA Finals Result: Los Angeles 4, New York Knicks 1

The Lakers are champions once again, breaking the tie between the Boston Celtics for a franchise record of NBA championships. The Finals MVP: LeBron James.  The King is the king of the NBA once more.