The second round of the NBA Playoffs just finished on Sunday with some big surprises. With the third round right around the corner, here are some predictions for the upcoming series.

The first series that will be played will feature the Miami Heat, who beat the 76ers in six games, facing the Boston Celtics, who beat the Milwaukee Bucks in seven games.

The Heat have been able to win their first two series by committee, meaning that almost all players are included in every win they achieve. The team is deep, with multiple players being able to have big games and plays at any moment. Most recently, Max Strus stepped up against the 76ers and helped the team win.

The Boston Celtics just took down the defending champs and should feel on top of the world. Jayson Tatum is a superstar at only 24 years old and his pairing alongside Jaylen Brown is proving to be a deadly duo. Although those two are their main scorers, Grant Williams stepped up in Game 7, scoring 27 points, which led the team.

This series could truly go either way depending on how each team’s supporting cast plays, but the Heat will likely win this series in six games. The Celtics just don’t have enough experience to compete for a spot in the Finals.

The other series is the Golden State Warriors, who beat the Grizzlies in six games, going against the Dallas Mavericks, who beat the Phoenix Suns in seven games.

The Warriors are still led by their two superstars, Steph Curry and Klay Thompson, but young and talented Jordan Poole has really helped the team to get to this position. He has been able to take some pressure off of Steph Curry to be the main ball handler. 

The Mavericks shocked the world by beating the Phoenix Suns in Game 7. Luke Donicic is really making a good argument for why he may be the best player in the world. 

The Suns were in the Finals last year and had what some thought to be a pretty easy run back to the Western Conference Finals, but the Mavericks halted that all. Spencer Dinwiddie proved that trading for him was a good idea, as he scored 30 points. Jalen Brunson continues to prove that he can be more than a solid role player in the league. 

The Mavericks defense really shocked some fans, as they were able to control Chris Paul, Devin Booker, Deandre Ayton and the rest of the offensive-minded players the Suns have to offer. 

This series is really going to solidify or hurt some players’ legacies, but this series will most likely go to the Warriors in seven games.

These playoffs so far have not disappointed and with the matchups ahead, they show no sign of losing any intensity.