NBA Playoffs 2018: Updated Postseason Bracket Picture, Results and Predictions

After yesterday, it's important to remember that this is the NBA Playoffs, and no team, even with a 2-0 series lead, is safe.

Basketball fans witnessed the Washington Wizards rally back from a 0-2 deficit to an impressive Game 3 victory over the Toronto Raptors, 122-103.

While the Wizards balled out and proved to the league and fans alike why they're not to be underestimated, no one could have predicted the Milwaukee Bucks beating down the Boston Celtics in Game 3 116-92. This game was never even close, as the Bucks jumped out to an early 27-12 lead at the end pf the first quarter, highlighting Boston's offensive deficiencies without the services of Kyrie Irving. 

Both of these series are from over. There will, at the very least, be a Game 5. However, the same can't be said about a couple of other matchups being played out this weekend. 

Here's a quick look at this weekend's upcoming slate of games: 

No. 3 Philadelphia 76ers (52-30) vs. No. 6 Miami Heat (44-38)

Game 4 in Miami: Saturday, April 21, 2:30 p.m. ET, TNT

76ers lead 2-1.

No. 3 Portland Trail Blazers (49-33) vs. No. 6 New Orleans Pelicans (48-34)

Game 4 in New Orleans: Saturday, April 21, 5 p.m. ET, TNT

Pelicans lead 3-0. 

No. 1 Houston Rockets (65-17) vs. No. 8 Minnesota Timberwolves (47-35)

Game 3 in Minneapolis: Saturday, April 21, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN

Rockets lead 2-0. 

No. 4 Oklahoma City Thunder (48-34) vs. No. 5 Utah Jazz (48-34)

Game 3 in Utah: Saturday, April 21, 10 p.m. ET, ESPN

Series tied at 1-1.

No. 2 Golden State Warriors (58-24) vs. No. 7 San Antonio Spurs (47-35)

Game 4 in San Antonio: Sunday, April 22, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC

Warriors lead 3-0.

Multiple First-Round Sweeps?

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Let's face it. The San Antonio Spurs, Portland Trail Blazers and the Minnesota Timberwolves are not coming back from 0-3 to win four-straight games to clinch a berth in the second round.

The Timberwolves fought hard in Game 1 in a 104-101 loss to the Houston Rockets, giving every indication that this would be a competitive series. However, if Game 2 is any indication of what's to come Saturday night as the series moves to Minnesota, then there isn't much point in watching the Timberwolves play.

It's tough to imagine the Timberwolves being able to overcome their shortfalls on offense, which can't seem to get Karl-Anthony Towns going whatsoever, although a win Saturday can change things. 

Some of the criticism directed towards Towns is warranted, as he's been poor on both ends of the floor. But it comes to a point where a head coach has to begin force-feeding the ball into the paint to a player capable of playing with his back to the basket and stretching the floor.

Running a one-man show with Jimmy Butler won't work in the playoffs, and neither will cameo appearances from Andrew Wiggins. The Timberwolves need Wiggins and Towns to play as hard (and consistent) as Butler Saturday night in order to save this series, however unlike that may seem. 

Speaking of lost causes, look no further than the Portland Trail Blazers. 

Portland has been abysmal thus far, falling to 0-3 against the sixth-seeded New Orleans Pelicans who are beginning to look like a legitimate force to be reckoned with over the coming weeks.

Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum have been subpar through three games and aren't getting much help from their supporting cast off the bench.

To make matters worse, the Trail Blazers have already given up their home court advantage and are now one game away from playoff elimination.

And last but not least, the Spurs are on the brink of elimination after down 0-3 to the Golden State Warriors. Not one game of this series has been close, as the shorthanded Spurs—without the services of Kawhi Leonard and now head coach Gregg Popovich—are staring at a first-round exit.

It's a shame to see the Spurs, one of the league's most stable and productive teams, struggle on and off the court. If the Spurs can pull a game back in San Antonio this Sunday, it will only be delaying the inevitable. 

It's going to be a long offseason for the Spurs, so it might as well get started this weekend.