This is also another good 4-5 matchup in the first round. This one might not make that much noise nationally but it will still be a good one to watch. Sure there’s the Jimmy Butler and TJ Warren drama. Jimmy Butler saying that TJ Warren is not in his league, now they play each other in a 7 game series? Yes, please! This series should be a good one, here is my NBA Playoff Prediction.
Indiana Pacers
I loved this team since the beginning of the season. I still think they are one of the most underrated teams in the NBA. It is truly a shame that there are dealing with injuries because there’s a chance they could have gone to the Finals if they were fully healthy. The loss of Domantas Sabonis killed them. Jeremy Lamb being injured didn’t help either. The Pacers are just all banged up and it’s not looking good for them. IF they were fully healthy, man oh man. But, they’re not. The frontcourt defense is rough for the Pacers. Myles Turner just isn’t good enough to make that difference. While the Pacers still have Victor Oladipo, Malcolm Brogdon, and TJ Warren. Is that enough?
Miami Heat
This Heat team is another team that has been quite underrated. I didn’t have them as high as 5th seed but they proved me wrong. This team is deep too. While they can underwhelm at times, there’s no doubt this team has some serious potential. Jimmy Butler, Tyler Herro, Duncan Robinson, and Bam Adebayo, all great players. This team is super young too, this won’t be their last time in the playoffs at all. The Heat can score pretty well and their defense is stout. That should make them a little bit more favorable against the banged-up Pacers.
Prediction:
This matchup is going to be great, injuries or not. This is some solid basketball against two great teams. If you just want to watch great basketball, this is it right here. Bam Adebayo should make Myles Turner his bitch. He outplays him this whole series. Jimmy Butler should get into TJ Warren’s head and outplay him. Dipo and Brogdon are better than the Heat’s next best two players. After that, the Heat have the Pacers beat in depth. Y’all know how much I love depth in the playoffs. As mentioned this one would be better if the Pacers were fully healthy, since they’re not, it makes my official NBA Playoff Prediction easier.
Miami Heat in 7.
