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Robert Firring's avatar

I respect your relationships and reporting. I don’t think you have any idea who is going to win. Neither do your fellow pundits. Why do you feel compelled to make predictions ?

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John P.'s avatar

Nuggets in 6. The Lakers are overdue for an injury, especially with LBJ at such a high usage rate. I hope that doesn’t happen though.

Celtics in 5. Heat will sorely miss Herro in this round, and I also wonder when Butler starts to run out of gas.

Celtics in 7 in the Finals.

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William Kronenberg's avatar

Nuggets in 6 (such a bold and unique pick!)

Boston in 6

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Reid DeRamus's avatar

Nugs in 6 & Celtics in 5.

Then Nugs over Celtics in 5.

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Rus Bray's avatar

Denver over Lakers in 7

Heat over Celtics in 7

Denver over Heat in 6

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Thomas Jenkins's avatar

Denver in 6, Boston in 7

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David Turner's avatar

Denver, Boston both in 5

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James Borden's avatar

Nuggets over Lakers in 6; Celtics over Heat in 6.

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Anthony Reiner's avatar

Nuggets over Lakers in 6. Celtics over heat in 7.

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Derrick Jay's avatar

Lakers fan here. If it wasn't for the fact these two haven't played since the trade deadline and we don't know what this looks like, I'd probably pick the Nuggets given how great they've been in the playoffs. (I'd prefer to see one game but that's not how predictions work.) In the 2020 WCF, Dwight Howard and Javale McGee were big factors against Jokic, so probably some Mo Bamba run (rather him than Thompson). I'll just be a homer and say Lakers in 6 but don't feel great about it.

Meanwhile, Celtics can't be trusted even though they probably have the most talent and all-round depth but I know Spo will coach circles around Mazzulla. Jimmy is obviously on the all-terrified team but the Heat are going to have a difficult time scoring. Expect the Cs to have a game or two where they look untrustworthy like versus the Hawks and Sixers, so Celtics in 6.

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William Morris's avatar

Lakers in 7. Celtics in 7.

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Todd Marohl's avatar

Nuggets in 6. Boston in 5

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Brian Pouget's avatar

Nuggets over Lakers in 7, Celtics over Heat in 5.

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John G's avatar

Lakers in 6, Heat in 6. Lakers going to steal game 1, then win 3 in a row at home same as last two series.

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Tony Adam's avatar

Nuggets in 5

Heat in 6

Heat over Nuggets in 6

Jimmy Butler, Finals MVP

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Rafael Marinho Normande's avatar

Lakers in 6

Heat in 6

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Barron Hall's avatar

Nuggets in 5 over Lakers, Jokic is playing with enough poise, productivity and consistency to cancel out AD. Gordon, Porter, and Murray as a unit will offset LeBron and whichever two Lakers step up. Ironically Lakers depth could pose a problem if Walker, Schroeder, and Beasley can produce simultaneously and consistently.

Celtics will need seven to beat Miami. Spo will outright steal one game, and Jimmy will snatch one as well. The Celtics will lose focus at give away a home game, but the Celtics are very good at bouncing back. Miami can't match up with Celtics depth for four games but they will match intensity.

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Steve Arnold's avatar

Nuggets in 6

Celtics in 6

Nuggets over Celtics in 7

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Michael Kelminson's avatar

Nuggets in 6

Celtics in 5

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Zach S's avatar

Heat in 6 and Nuggets in 6

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Jon Saur's avatar

Marc,

Thanks for this! But also, you gotta give the Lakers their due. You think the first home game Lebron and AD and co. lose in these playoffs will be an elimination game with a finals berth on the line?

Lakers in 7. (Lebron already won a game 7 away on a bigger stage against a better opponent.)

Heat in 6. (I’m with you here. Cs were too shaky in round 2 to be confident in.)

And now I pray that Lakers/Celtics doesn’t happen, bc I can’t emotionally handle the Lakers and Cs in the finals, playing for #18.

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Marc Stein's avatar

Jon!

Weren't you supposed to remind me to post this file?

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Jon Saur's avatar

It was on my schedule for this morning. You beat me to it!

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Conservatarian's avatar

Lifelong Lakers fan who has finally warmed to one of Lebron’s Lakers squads. I love this mix of talent and grit the team has now, and LeBron is on a mission. Reaves scores 30 in the clincher. Lake Show in 6.

Jimmy B is a beast, but I think Boston has too much talent. Boston in 7.

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Tom Krish's avatar

Denver in 6, Boston in 5

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Phil DiCarlo's avatar

The Celtics had 3 must games in that series. Won them all. Needed to win game 2 after losing game 1, needed to win 6&7.

I’m not sure heat can close them out.

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Steph's avatar

I feel almost the exact same way you do

Definitely Denver in 6

Heat in 7

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Chase's avatar

Denver in 5, Celtics in 5

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Zach Kopelman's avatar

Nuggets in 6, Celtics in 7

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Carter B's avatar

Denver in 5; Heat in 6

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Pet's avatar

Nuggets in 5, Celtics in 6

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Josh Gardner's avatar

Nuggets in 5

Celtics in 6

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Steve Smith @smitter's avatar

Lakers in 6 .. tho if Jokic can somehow solve his kryptonite, ie AD, this could be Nuggs in 7

Celtics in 7 .. replay of that epic from last season, several stolen games, but Celtics just too good

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Chris L's avatar

Lakers in 6, Heat in 6 (I expect the Bubble rematch)

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Steph's avatar

Also Heat culture excellent and they have best coach

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Steph's avatar

Me too

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Xavier's avatar

Celtics in 5

Nuggets in 6

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wooha's avatar

Nuggets in 6, Heat in 7

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Brooklyn Expat's avatar

Nuggets in 7, Celtics in 6.

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Will Jenks's avatar

Lakers in 6

Celtics in 7

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Chris S's avatar

Nuggets in 7, Celtics in 7

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Koby Boyd's avatar

Lakers in 6!!!

Celtics in 7...

-- Lakers in 6 has worked for me so far. So sticking it with that prediction this round, too. As for the other series, I see Spo & the Heat giving the Celtics all they can handle. However, the Celts have the superior team, so I think they win in 7.

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Josh Gardner's avatar

Koby, it's Josh from Detroit. Waddup Man!? Congrats on the Playoff Run!

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Koby Boyd's avatar

Josh!!!! Good to hear from you!

Yeah, it’s been an amazing run so far, but what a roller coaster season we have had. Just trying to enjoy the excitement while we can. Hopefully, our health can hold up, as well.

Good luck on Tuesday with the lottery. Whether it’s Wemby or not, hope ya’ll still land in the top 3, regardless. Excitement awaits for both our clubs!!

Take care,

Koby!

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Fry's avatar

Lakers in 7, Heat in 7

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Brian Rees's avatar

Heat in 7, Nuggets in 6

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Hector Garcia's avatar

Lakers in 6

Heat in 6

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Daniel Harriman's avatar

Lakers in 7, Celtics in 6

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Bob Burdt's avatar

Lakers in 7

Celtics in 7

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Ray Briggs's avatar

I got Nuggets in 6 behind the triple double machine Jokic. And I have Celtics in 7.

Marc, you got Heat over Cs in 6?!? I love Jimmy Butler, his is a playoff god, and my fav player to watch in the postseason. I know the Cs take games off but I don't think Jimmy can overwhelm how talented the Celtics are.

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Marc Stein's avatar

The Celtics were too shaky in Round 2 to get my automatic approval. Miami will steal one of the first two games ... then let's see how Boston reacts.

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Sherman Alexie's avatar

Nuggets in 6

Celtics in 6

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Deven's avatar

Nuggets in 6

Celtics in 5

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