The 2023 NBA playoffs have been filled with surprises. Entering this season, teams that competed in the play-in tournament have never made it to the second round. This year, two play-in teams, the Lakers and Heat, have shocked the world and made their respective conference finals. The one-seed Nuggets in the west and two-seed Celtics in the East round out the conference finals. Do these four teams look familiar? They should. All four of them were in the conference finals during the 2020 NBA bubble playoffs.
Many fans have argued that due to the crazy circumstances in the 2020 NBA season, the championship Lakers should have an asterisk next to their title. For the most part, this argument can now be put to rest. Yes, many changes have been made over the last three years, but the main superstars and contenders during the 2020 playoffs have remained on the same teams. All four teams remaining have their core players from the 2020 season. Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo are the duo for the Heat. The Lakers still have Lebron and AD. Tatum and Jaylen lead the 2022 runner-up Celtics. The Nuggets have two-time MVP Jokic and Jamal Murray. Regardless, only two out of these great teams will advance to play into June.
Will there be a different outcome this year?
In 2020, the Lakers defeated the Nuggets in five games to advance to the Finals. The Heat defeated the Celtics in six. Lebron James and the Lakers were too much for Jimmy Butler and the Heat. The Lakers took the series in six games and won their 17th championship. Expect a different outcome this year. Jokic and the Nuggets have looked unstoppable this whole season. Jokic continues to be the most efficient player the league has seen. The Lakers will have no answers for the Nuggets in the series.
The Celtics-Heat series is a toss-up. The Celtics on paper are the much better roster. The Heat have that killer instinct. The big underdog Heat are not even supposed to be here. They were 63 seconds away from not making the playoffs. If there is one person you want on your team right now though, it is Jimmy Butler. He will put his body on the line for all 48 minutes. Expect the higher-seeded Celtics to get out-hustled and upset in seven games.
Prediction for the Finals
An eight seed facing a one seed. Heat vs Nuggets. The odds will be stacked against the Heat. The Nuggets swept the Heat in the regular season. None of that matters now. The Heat have the most momentum in the playoffs. Above all, a major thing the Heat have more than the Nuggets is experience. That can play a huge factor in any playoff series. I can see this helping the Heat and maybe forcing a game seven, but will not be able to get over the hump in Denver. As a result, the Nuggets will win their franchise’s first championship this year.
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1 Comment
Herro will be back for the #HeatCulture if they make the Finals. And the Heat have the best coaching. We’ll see