The second round of the NBA playoffs wrapped up over the weekend with some shocking outcomes. With the third round ready to start, here are some predictions.
Celtics vs. Pacers:
The Boston Celtics have had two commanding series wins against the Miami Heat (3-1) and the Cleveland Cavaliers (3-1). The wins seem impressive, but they have played two injured teams that were without their stars.
The Heat were without Jimmy Butler because he suffered a MCL sprain in the play-in tournament against the Philadelphia 76ers, while the Cavaliers were missing Donovan Mitchell for Games 4 and 5 due to a calf strain.
The Indiana Pacers, meanwhile, have beaten the Milwaukee Buck (4-2) and the New York Knicks (4-3) Those teams have also had to deal with injuries.
The Bucks were without Giannis Antetokounmpo for the entire series and Damian Lillard for Games 4 and 5. The Knicks were missing Julius Randle for the entire playoffs and were without OG Anunoby for Games 3,4,5, and 6.
Injuries have been the story heading into this Eastern Conference confrontation, but in the end the more experienced Celtics are likely to advance to the finals.
Timberwolves vs. Mavericks:
The Minnesota Timberwolves have faced and beaten the Phoenix Suns (4-0) and the Denver Nuggets (4-3). The Timberwolves easily knocked off the Suns, but faced a challenge with the Nuggets.
The Wolves started hot by winning Games 1 and 2, but went on to lose games 3,4, and 5. They went on to dominate Game 6, and erased a 20-point deficit to win Game 7.
The Mavericks, meanwhile, beat the Los Angeles Clippers (4-2) and the Oklahoma City Thunder (4-2).
The Clippers were without Kawhi Leonard, but the Mavericks beat a fully healthy Thunder team that had finished as the one seed in the Western Conference.
This series will come down to who will dominate the paint, which makes this series lean more toward the Timberwolves.
