The 2017-2018 NBA playoffs are underway and are already thrilling. The Boston Celtics defeated the Milwaukee Bucks in an instant classic, and the Indiana Pacers stunned the Cleveland Cavaliers to take a 1-0 series lead.
As exciting as the present landscape is, let's fast forward to June. The weather will finally be warmer (still snowing sporadically here in the Northeast) and the NBA Finals will be upon us. Here are five potential NBA Finals matchups to look out for in 2018.
5. Toronto Raptors Vs. Portland Trailblazers
This might seem like an odd matchup because it doesn't feature any of the heavy hitters from either conference, but it's 100% a realistic possibility. The Toronto Raptors boast the East's top seed and home-court advantage throughout the playoffs, and the West seems more wide open than ever, which could benefit the 3rd-seeded Portland Trailblazers.
Many NBA fans want a change of pace from the annual Cavaliers-Warriors matchup, but this wouldn't be what they were expecting. From a business standpoint, it would feature two of the smaller markets in the NBA, though the Raptors presence in the series would result in a huge boost in Canadian ratings.
The Raptors are 59-22 at home, and though getting past LeBron James and the Cavaliers is no small task, they would be lucky to run into the Trailblazers instead of the Houston Rockets or Golden State Warriors.
What would happen? Raptors in 6
4. Cleveland Cavaliers Vs. Golden State Warriors
Speaking of the Cavaliers and Warriors, could they meet for the 4th straight year after no other teams have gone more than one rematch?
Heading into the season, this seemed the likeliest of matchups, even with the Cavaliers roster shakeup, shipping Kyrie Irving to Boston for Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, and a 1st-round pick.
Now, Cleveland's roster is even more mutilated from last year's Finals, with Thomas and Crowder gone in favor of players like George Hill, Larry Nance Jr, and Jordan Clarkson. But it's been working, with the Cavaliers 8-2 in their last ten games, coming into form just in time for the postseason. Their competition is also weakened, with the Celtics down two starters (Gordon Hayward and Kyrie Irving).
The Warriors face a tougher path to the Finals for the fist time in these four years: especially with Steph Curry out for the first round of the playoffs. Right now, the Warriors would play the Thunder in the first round, a match that would be hard fought, drama-filled, and really could go either way. If they have to get past the Thunder, Rockets, and Spurs/Timberwolves/Trailblazers/Jazz, this could be one of Golden State's most impressive playoff runs yet.
What would happen? Warriors in 7
3. Philadelphia 76ers Vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
The Philadelphia 76ers are evolving from a fringe playoff team, to dark horse playoff contender, to legitimate contender. They've rattled off 14 straight wins, many without Joel Embiid, en route to overtaking the Cavaliers for the 3rd seed in the East. They did so in impressive fashion, edging out the Cavaliers 132-130 in a statement game.
Embiid may return as early as the first round, where Philadelphia should have a relatively manageable matchup of the Milwaukee Bucks or Miami Heat. They could also end up hosting the Indiana Pacers, which would be a tougher test. At this point in time, I'd take the 76ers straight up against any team in the East: besides the Cleveland Cavaliers. But even that potential series would be a toss-up (and an Eastern Conference Finals I'm praying we see.)
Over in the West, the Oklahoma City Thunder are still a rollercoaster of a team. They can play with the best of them, beating the Warriors with ease at times, but they can also fall short when it matters the most. The Thunder are in the middle of a pack of 47 win teams, they could be anywhere from 4th to 7th seed in the Western Conference.
Regardless of seed, the Thunder have the talent and ability to beat any team in the West, even the Rockets.
This would be a very ideal matchup from the NBA's viewpoint. Two new teams would finally be represented, and they are two exciting teams with starpower, building the foundation for the NBA's future. A 4th Cavaliers-Warriors matchup may feature more all-stars, but change might be best before fans get weary of the same two teams.
Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid, Paul George, and Carmelo Anthony all making their first NBA Finals appearances with Russell Westbook returning to the series would be a great spectacle to watch.
What would happen? Toss-up! I'll go 76ers in 7 if Embiid is healthy
2. Philadelphia 76ers Vs. Houston Rockets
While 76ers-Thunder would be high powered and fun, the Houston Rockets are the presumptive favorites to come out of the Western Conference. They've earned this title with a 64-16 record an NBA-high +8.8 point differential. James Harden is likely headed for an MVP title (unless you think it should be LeBron James) and the Chris Paul experiment has worked wonders.
If the 76ers down the Cavaliers and/or Raptors in the East, this would become the most likely NBA Finals matchup. From the TV standpoint, I think this would be just a little less exciting than the matchup with the Thunder. The biggest reason being there are many young Thunder everywhere in the country, and Westbrook-Anthony-George has a a bigger following than Harden-Paul-Gordon.
Another factor? This series wouldn't be as close or exciting as the Rockets would have the tools to bring home the trophy over the 76ers. Sorry Philadelphia, but a Super Bowl win and NBA Finals appearance wouldn't be too shabby. Can we get my Phillies in the World Series this year too?
What would happen? Rockets in 4
1. Cleveland Cavaliers Vs. Houston Rockets
If you're betting today on which two teams would be in the NBA Finals, you'd almost certainly pick the Cavaliers and Rockets. Regardless of Cleveland's 3rd or 4th seeded status, they will be considered the favorites in the East until someone shows them otherwise.
The Rockets aren't undefeatable, and have fallen quite a few teams to top teams in the West. The San Antonio Spurs, Warriors, Thunder and Trailblazers could all give Houston a run for their money.
But if all things hold, the Rockets should be able to edge their way through the Western Conference to meet LeBron James in his 8th straight NBA Finals trip. Harden previously matched up with James in the Finals as a member of the Thunder in 2012.
This is another TV ratings dream for the NBA, with the top two MVP candidates going toe-to-toe, and even though the Cavaliers would return for the 4th straight season, the Rockets would be a breathe of fresh air. For every fan tuning in to root for LeBron, there'll also be some tuning in to root for the opposition. Chris Paul would also appear in his first championship series.
On paper, the Rockets have been more impressive this season, but I actually think the Cavaliers match up much better against the Rockets than the Warriors.
What would happen? Cavaliers in 7
Photo #1 Courtesy of the NBA
Photo #2 Courtesy of USA Today Sports
Photo #3 Courtesy of Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Photo #4 Courtesy of Michael Perez/AP
Photo #5 Courtesy of Jason Miller / Getty Images
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