NBA Playoff Bracket 2018: Schedule Guide, Predictions for Conference Finals
The Boston Celtics bandwagon welcomed more members after they thrashed the Cleveland Cavaliers 108-83 in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Will we see a more competitive opening matchup between the Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors in the West?
Just in case you thought the Celtics didn't have a chance against LeBron James and the Cavaliers, think again. This young team with Al Horford as the sage veteran in the locker room kept their postseason home-undefeated streak alive. A 2-0 Boston lead doesn't sound like an off-the-wall prediction.
James put forth his worse showing during the postseason. He didn't have open lanes on his drives and Cleveland's perimeter shooters failed to knock down their shots. This isn't the first Cavaliers postseason blowout and it's not going down as the last either.
Nonetheless, another lopsided loss would further boost the Celtics' confidence headed to Cleveland.
Guard James Harden hopes to shake off an illness and consecutive poor performances against the Utah Jazz. The Rockets also face a team that's undefeated at home during the postseason, so there's an elevated importance on winning both games at the Toyota Center.
What's the call on both conference finals matchups? Who goes to the NBA Finals?
2018 NBA Conference Finals TV Schedule
Game 1: Celtics 108, Cavaliers 83 (Boston leads series 1-0)
Game 1: Golden State at Houston: Monday, May 14 at 9 p.m. ET on TNT
Game 2: Cleveland at Boston: Tuesday, May 15 at 8:30 p.m. ET on ESPN
Game 2: Golden State at Houston: Wednesday, May 16 at 9 p.m. ET on TNT
Game 3: Boston at Cleveland: Saturday, May 19 at 8:30 p.m. ET on ESPN
Game 3: Houston at Golden State: Sunday, May 20 at 8 p.m. ET on TNT
Game 4: Boston at Cleveland: Monday, May 21 at 8:30 p.m. ET on ESPN
Game 4: Houston at Golden State: Tuesday, May 22 9 p.m. on TNT
*Game 5: Cleveland at Boston: Wednesday, May 23 at 8:30 p.m. ET on ESPN
*Game 5: Golden State at Houston: Thursday, May 24 9 p.m. on TNT
*Game 6: Boston at Cleveland: Friday, May 25 at 8:30 p.m. ET on ESPN
*Game 6: Houston at Golden State: Saturday, May 26 at 9 p.m. ET on TNT
*Game 7: Cleveland at Boston: Sunday, May 27 at 8:30 p.m. ET on ESPN
*Game 7: Golden State at Houston: Monday, May 28 at 9 p.m. ET on TNT
Note: *-indicates if necessary, schedule courtesy of NBA.com
Cleveland Cavaliers Bounce Back at Home, Win Series in 7 Games
The Cavaliers' Game 1 loss looked similar to their defeat in the opening contest against the Indiana Pacers—a lack of effort on the defensive end and scorers struggling to find their stroke. Cleveland shot below 40 percent from the field in both games.
Give credit to the Celtics. They clogged lanes to prevent James from scoring on easy drives to the hoop and locked down his help on the perimeter.
Forward Marcus Morris, who spoke of his defensive prowess against James, slipped into the starting lineup for the first time during the current postseason. He produced a double-double, scoring an efficient 21 points on 7-of-12 shooting with 10 rebounds. Three other Celtics starters reached double figures in the scoring column. Once again, Boston's team effort led to victory.
However, head coach Brad Stevens knows there's a counterpunch coming, and his guys must prepare for Cleveland's response Tuesday:
The Celtics' group effort in defending James and scoring on the other end will continue at TD Garden where they're undefeated. Expect the Cavaliers to respond with two wins on their home floor in Games 3 and 4 to tie the series. At that point, Kevin Love, J.R. Smith and George Hill should have found a comfort zone against Boston's tough defense.
James hit a low point in Game 1 against Boston, scoring 15 points on 5-of-16 shooting, but his teammates need to bounce back with him. Five games into the series, you'll see a difference in the help around the Cavaliers star, signaling a turn in the seven-game set.
Both teams will defend home court, but Cleveland wins Game 7 at TD Garden to give the Celtics their first and only postseason loss in Boston.
Prediction: Cavaliers win in seven games
Golden State Warriors Seize Momentum in Game 1, Win Series in 6 Games
The Rockets finished the regular season tied with the Toronto Raptors for the best home record in the league at 34-7. A Game 1 loss would deflate the crowd at the Toyota Center and possibly open the proverbial door for doubt in the locker room.
In a slightly different scenario, remember how much the Raptors' confidence dropped after their first loss to the Cavaliers in Toronto—now known as LeBronto. The Warriors don't have consecutive postseason series wins over the Rockets, but the defending champions haven't lost at Oracle Arena in the playoffs since the 2015-16 NBA Finals. Could the Rockets snap that two-year streak? It's a tough sell.
Over the past two games, Harden has struggled with his shot. Rockets head coach Mike D'Antoni said the six-time All-Star played at less than 100 percent in Game 5 against the Jazz:
Paul carried Houston to victory with 41 points, 10 assists and zero turnovers to compensate for Harden's mediocre performance, but the Rockets need both stars at their best to beat the Warriors.
In Game 1 against the Minnesota Timberwolves and Jazz, Paul turned the ball over a combined 13 times. He seems to go through an adjustment period in the opening contest of a series. If Harden can't break out of a short funk or his backcourt partner follows a dubious trend, the Warriors take the first outing in this matchup.
The Rockets backcourt wasn't as strong as expected in the previous series against the Jazz. Now, with the defending champions in town playing solid defense, it's an easy call for a Game 1 road win, which swings the series in the Warriors favor en route to a fourth consecutive NBA Finals appearance.
Prediction: Warriors win in six games
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